Page 10 (1/2)

"I knew it" Phoebe’s eyes flashed with victory, as if she were personally responsible for that kiss "And?" She waited for E," Eo, but I didn’t feel the earthto Phoebe "But everyone says--"

E the details of Flyboy’s amorous exploits, even if it was only by repute

"The truth is," she broke in, "that ninety percent of the ti poker with his cronies"

Phoebe’s expression suggested that she was terribly disappointed in both of them The only way to end this inquisition, Emma decided, was to ask a few questions of her own "While I have your attention, I want you to tellon between you and Walt," she said "You prolanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice "I’ve probably said more than I should have already" She rolled her chair back across the aisle

Eainst the cubicle ith her arms folded "I’etting hteously "I just felt Walt should know that if he didn’t do so to lose you, so I…I told hi"

"That’s practically blackmail!" Emma said in a horrified voice "What if he’d fired me because you told him I threatened to quit?"

"Don’t worry about that I wouldn’t have let it happen," Phoebe said cal other than obituaries I knew Walt couldn’t afford to let you go--and he knows it, too"

"Okay, at least you used your power for good," Emma murmured She was thankful that Phoebe had spoken to Walt on her behalf; still, she’d rather stand on her ownlike a canary And that’s a quote"

Phoebe laughed out loud "Yeah, right, and if you believe that, then you don’t know " Just then the phone on her desk rang Reaching across the aisle, E to see her Now

Phoebe’s eyes widened in speculation when E up the phone

"Wisha pad and pen, she walked up the stairs When she got to his office, her boss was on the phone, but he rinned in her direction, which boded well She had no idea who he was talking to or about what--although the word "no" featured prominently--but after another moment he ended the conversation

Emma sat in the chair on the other side of his desk

"So You’re back"

She nodded, but resistedthe motel bill

"I understand you and Oliver Hamilton had a bit of an adventure"

She couldn’t help wondering how much Walt knew about what had happened in Yakima "You could say that" She ain

"The intervieith Earleen Williams ell?"

She nodded "Earleen onderful She was flattered by the attention and excited about the article Her recipe’s terrific--I had a taste and, believe it or not, I loved it By the way, she’s already signed the legal documentation so we can print her recipe in The Exa else, Walt should be pleased by that

He inclined his head slightly in apparent approval "I’d like the article about Earleen on my desk this afternoon"

Emma’s mouth fell open "This afternoon? As in today?"

Walt raised his eyebrows as if she’d contravened so to ask such a question

Sing hard, she offered hietic smile "It’ll be there"

"Good" His eyebrows started to return to their usual position "And be ready to leave for Colville first thing tomorrow"

So soon? She wanted to tell hiht froone fairly well Other than the fact that she’d nearly vos Her eet to the other town and hoain in one piece Then there was the problem of no transportation when they’d landed in Yakima Not only had she risked her life for this interview, but she’d encountered germs besides

Now all she had to do was find a way to tell Walt that she preferred to drive to her next interview "If you have a ave her a questioning look

"As you know, I ended up spending the night in Yakima In a motel room A cheap one"

He sat back in his chair "Hamilton said that was unavoidable"