As he pushed off the desk, Sin released a low-level growl. “Throwing Evangeline under the bus won’t solve your problem.”
A broad smile widened Birdie’s face. “Like I said, I don’t have a problem. You have a nice holiday now.”
“You do have a problem. You have a big problem.”
“What’s that?”
“Me,” he bit out. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.” Before he did something he would regret, Sin turned on his heel and walked out.
Birdie would never admit to lying. Saving his ass meant saving his career.
I will find the woman in the video.
He rode the elevator to the basement level, then descended a set of stairs and walked the darkened corridor to the northeast corner of the building. On this level, he ran into no one because the sub-basement wasn’t on any of the DOJ maps. He tapped twice on an unmarked metal door at the end of the hallway.
It opened, and Sin stepped into the small, windowless room and shut the door behind him. A slender man, known as Z, and only to a select few, returned to his desk, but Sin stood. Even if he’d wanted to sit, there was no guest chair. This office was the exact opposite of Birdie’s. A metal desk, an old chair, a laptop, and a glaring light bulb filled the small space.
“What do you know?” Sin asked.
“Only that it’s not Ms. Worthington. Birdie covered his trail on this one. There were a few business trips that I’m checking into. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”
“Thanks.” Sin reached into the breast pocket of his cashmere coat and dropped a sealed white envelope on the desk.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t have to do anything,” Sin said with a wry smile.
The slight man laughed. “No, I guess you don’t.”
Evangeline sipped the hot chamomile tea, waiting for her sister to ask about the video. Ten joyful minutes passed while Hannah updated her on her prenatal doctor’s appointment.
“Best news is that you and our future NFL kicker are doing great,” Evangeline said.
“I think he’s got the hiccups.” Hannah placed her hand on her tummy. “Such an active little boy. How will I ever keep up with him?”
“I have every confidence in you.” Evangeline set the mug down and turned toward her sister. “I’ve got to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.” Hannah sipped her tea, then set the mug on the table.
“A sex video was released and it’s been trending on social media.”
Hannah’s grimace didn’t help. Despite their being close, Evangeline had never confided her sexual fetish or how she’d acted on it. “It’s…” Evangeline hesitated, wondering if there was some way to keep from upsetting her. “It’s of your dad and—”
For as large as Hannah was, she jetted off the sofa as a wail erupted out of her. “Noooooo. No way.”
Evangeline knew better than to console her sister. On the rare occasion when Hannah did get upset, she liked her space, so Evangeline waited. After a moment, Hannah sunk down beside her.
“Are you sure? Why would he and Charlene post something like that? Why would they even make that kind of video?”
“It’s not Charlene. Birdie is with another woman…and everyone thinks it’s me.”
Silence.
Too much silence for too many seconds.
Hannah just stared at her, mouth agape. Then, she murmured, “I think I’m going to be sick.” But Hannah never moved. She just sat there, frozen to the spot.
“It’s not me in the video.” Evangeline tried to keep any emotion from her voice, but the situation was disturbing, at the very least. “The woman is masked and she has long, dark hair. She never faces the camera, plus the lighting in the video is pretty bad, on purpose, I’m sure. The media jumped to the conclusion that it’s me and I’m being slut shamed on social media. The worst part is that I’ve been forced to take A.L.—administrative leave—pending an internal investigation.” Evangeline rarely cried, but her eyes misted and she pushed off the sofa, determined to conceal her exasperation.
Her sister rushed to her side, folding her into a warm, nurturing hug. Relief washed over her and she held on to that lifeline.
“I’m so sorry,” Hannah whispered. “And I’m disgusted…shocked, really.”
As Evangeline broke away, she could see the pain on Hannah’s face. “Thank you for believing me.”
“Oh, my God, Evangeline. You wouldn’t screw my dad.” She grimaced. “He was your stepdad. That’s disgusting.”
“I’ve never heard you use the word ‘screw’, ever.”
“Well, I can’t call it lovemaking and I don’t want to drop the f-bomb around the baby.”
“Best mom ever,” she said and squeezed her sister’s shoulder.
The two women returned to the sofa, but Evangeline said nothing more about the video or her next steps with Sin.
After sipping her tea, Hannah asked, “How long will the agency take to complete its investigation?”
“Weeks. Months. No idea.”
“But your work is your life. What will you do?”
“I’ll help you, spend a little time with Mom.”
This time, Hannah laughed. “Being around Mom is going to drive you to the brink of insanity.”
Hannah’s phone rang and she lifted her cell off the sofa. “It’s my dad. I’m not telling him you’re here.”
“He might be out front.”
“Well, I don’t have to let him in.” Hannah pressed the talk key. “Hey, Dad. Merry Christmas.” Then, she tapped the speaker button.
“Hey, honey. How are you and the baby?”
“I had a checkup today and we’re both doing great.”
“Good, good.” Pregnant pause. The sister’s exchanged glances. “So, um, been on social media today?”
“No, you know I don’t spend time on there.”
“Right. I…er…so, I did a thing.”
“Uh-huh.” To Evangeline’s surprise, Hannah bit back a little smile.
“I let your sister talk me into going to a sex club.”
“What?”
“Yeah, it was incredibly stupid of me, but I did. Anyway, I had a drink and I think she dropped something into it because the next thing I remember is…well, it’s too revolting to say.”
Evangeline’s blood boiled. As she rubbed the back of her neck, she fought against the urge to belt out a string of obscenities at him.
“So, what, Dad? Are you saying you had sex with Evangeline?” Hannah’s eyes turned cold and she shook her head.
Silence.
“I am having a hard time believing that.” Hannah’s tone had turned angry. “She’s not interested in you…at all.”
Evangeline wanted to hug her sister for standing up to that pig.
“Watch the video and judge for yourself.”
“Gross, no thanks. I’ve gotta go.”
“One more thing. Charlene kicked me out, so I’m staying with friends.”
As soon as Hannah ended the call, she shuddered. “I feel like I need to take a shower and wash the cooties off me.”