Durango:You should do it. RHS already has publicity, and it’s negative. This might help stop more people from vandalizing the place.
Ozzie:I agree with Durango.
I respond as well.
Axel:It will support the video Savvy and I made. And ours will support you. The public needs to hear that Peter is lying.
Reed:I’ll talk it over with Stormy and get back to you.
Stormy is not one to hide from trouble, so I suspect he’ll tell Reed to do the interview.
This is one of many reasons I like Reed. Aside from being a great boss, he also treats us all like we are a part of the team. And we are. But what Peter has done is hurt RHS’s reputation. Reed could try to handle that on his own. I’m glad he doesn’t.
“Reed is debating doing an interview to address Peter’s allegations,” I say.
“He should,” Savvy says. “The more people who refute what Peter has said, the better.”
“We need more than that. I need to see Stacy.” I check the time and visiting hours begin soon.
She sits up. “When?”
“Now. I’ll call Moose and have him stay with you.”
“No, I don’t need a babysitter. Plus, he’s already been through enough because of me. Go. I’ll watch a movie and be fine.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
While I don’t want to leave her alone, I need to talk to Stacy. What she’s doing to Reed and Hawthorne’s family is unforgivable. I doubt she’ll listen to me, but I have to try.
I arrive a couple of hours later. I’m taken to a no-contact visitation area. On the other side of the glass is a woman I barely recognize.
She’s already holding the phone to her ear. I grab the one on my side.
“Axel! It’s so good to see you!”
I glare at her.
“Oh, not a friendly visit then?”
Her once-blond hair is now brown. And I hadn’t realized how much makeup she used to wear until I see her now with none. There are fine lines around her eyes. She looks less like the gold digger she used to and more like a…ah, yes, there it is. I’d bet my salary that she changed her look to help gain more sympathy from the public.
“Yes, I look different. When you don’t have access to the salons, you have to make do. So, I let my natural color grow in.”
“I suspect that’s not the real reason,” I say.
She smiles. “You always were the smart one.”
“I’m not here to discuss your hair,” I say. “I want to talk about Reed.”
She leans back. “What about him?”
“What you’re doing is wrong. You are smearing the reputation of a good man, and you know it. And for what? You aren’t getting out. Nothing Peter has presented is actual evidence.”
She smiles, and I can feel the evil emanating from this woman. “What Peter is doing is swaying public opinion. Did you hear there have been protests calling for my release? Isn’t that wonderful?”
“Wonderful? You should rot in here for what you did to Hawthorne.”
