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She tugged her suit jacket straight One severely cut black suit, one dark, dark red--aggressive--silk shirt No cleavage Hair pulled back Gold stud earrings and watch

The look obviously worked, since when she strode into the building, the receptionist took her right into the owner/editor’s office Curtis Bentley rose as she entered and shook her hand

"What can I do for you, Ms Madison? Are you here about the secretarial opening?"

"No" As they both sat, she gave hinize my name My house has been spray-painted several tie Your paper has run at least three articles about the problem More articles about my history Quite sensational articles"

His eyes widened, and he straightened "Ah, I’m sure the facts were correctly reported"

"Oh, the facts were correct However, the sexual innuendoes could be construed as libelous, especially since I’d broken off dating the reporter and he resented the fact"

Mr Bentley’s back got straighter "I’m sure that wasn’t rele--"

"I believe the lans upon a newspaper that commits a crime in order to increase sales"

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about"

Of course not Dwayne had been the one who checked the police blotter for arrests Probably no one had since "Your reporter, Dwayne Cowper, has been spray-painting my home ords like ‘Filthy slut, Burn in hell’ Both for revenge and for a good story"

Mr Bentley rose "I don’t believe that for a ht in the act And told us his motivation ‘Us’ includes the police" She fixed the man with a cold, cold look "I’ that a victi to increase sales"

"Noait I had no idea the man--"

"Perhaps My laill be happy to discuss both cries with you, I’ Dwayne’s career squishing to mush with each click of her heel

If only her battle for Saht was dark and cold as Sa lot toward the Shadowlands The black wrought-iron sconces on the stone ht that rim mood

For the last few days, all he could think about was the hurt in Linda’s eyes Dah this kind of crap again? Any reminders of Nancy--let alone visits--had an adverse effect on his mood, but he sure as hell hadn’t realized how that ht about trying to explain, his throat turned dry as Death Valley

He couldn’t tell her Wasn’t good for her Best to leave things the way they were or he’d end up hurting her over and over

Being in the Shadowlands wasn’t going to be easy He scowled Da at the last minute to tell Saht

They’d probably already be lining up

Linda knelt in the cold entryway in the line of trainees The subs knehy she was here, and she could feel their silent support

Sally leaned her shoulder against Linda’s and whispered, "I changed ood idea What if the watcher guy figures out you’re trying to ID hiht out into the open "Guess I better not juuy’"

Sally sputtered, then said, "We’ll all be here for you But don’t you go anywhere isolated"

In the clubroom? Fat chance "You’re quite the ure it’s ht that was my job It was nice to be worried about "Thank you So what happens noith the trainees?"

"Master Cullen inspects us and gives us our assignments Half of us are barmaids, and the other half are free to play Then itch off" She lowered her voice "As long as you’re polite, Master Cullen isn’t too fussy Not like some of the others who care about ear too"

"What--"

Saed in Linda’s throat She hadn’t seen him since he’d handed Dwayne over to the police Since he’d said she’d be better off without him