“Since there’s no way of proving what happened, the show will go on,” Burdette announced. I had totally forgotten he was even in the room. He looked at me. “If there is any violence or retribution done by anyone, that person will be kicked off the show and the police will be called.”
It would be worth prison to mar that perfect face of hers. It would not, however, be worth the rest of my career. I knew what he was implying. The threat that he held over my head. He nodded to the two men, knowing that when they let go of me I wouldn’t kill her.
“Now get out and go do what you’re contractually obligated to do.”
When we stepped out of the room and the door was shut behind us, I laughed at Abigail. “That completely backfired on you. He spent all day with me. It must just kill you that he likes me so much better than he will ever like you. He can’t stand you and only keeps you here because Burdette makes him.”
A look of panic crossed her face, and I realized there was something more there than even I’d figured out. A look that hadn’t happened until I mentioned Burdette. It didn’t take much to figure it out.
Two and two did indeed make four.
“You’re sleeping with him,” I said in shock. “That’s why he insists on keeping you here.”
Maybe she wasn’t as good of an actress as I thought. I could see from her expression that I had guessed right. “You daft, lying little minger,” she hissed. “Keep your false accusations to yourself!”
“Bless your heart. I’ve heard worse from better.”
She stormed off then, and it killed me that I couldn’t do anything with the information I had just uncovered. What I wouldn’t give to be able to contact an entertainment reporter to let them know that perfect family man Matthew Burdette was having an affair with a second-rate soap actress.
But there was one thing I could do.
I could tell Dante.
Chapter 18
I used to think the best thing in the world was seeing you smile, then I realized that the best thing in the world is knowing that I caused it.
I told Michelle and Genesis what had happened (leaving out the affair part). Michelle said, “Well, maybe she didn’t do it. I can’t imagine anyone being like that. It seems awfully mean.”
It sure did. Genesis and I exchanged glances, but she was still too weak to do much about it. I was glad at least one of the girls got it. An assistant came to let us know that the schedules had been shifted around, and Dante was going to England with Abigail first. Michelle looked so disappointed that I hugged her.
I had to see Dante. He had been gone for hours, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to tell him what Abigail had done.
Scabigail had her bags packed and left for the airport. She stopped pretending to like any of us and didn’t say a word when she walked out of the house.
Fortunately, Dante still hadn’t left. He found me in my room. “Another quest done!” He handed me a sealed cardboard box.
I gave him a questioning look and opened the box. “I didn’t give you a quest . . . What? You seriously got me Graeter’s ice cream? How did you get this so fast?”
“Private jet and a spare production assistant.” He grinned.
This must have cost him a ton of money. He was doing it again. Being romantic and sweet and irresistible.
And he looked so pleased with himself that I just had to bring him down a notch. “Then technically you didn’t do it. The PA did.”
He looked so insulted that I almost laughed. “But I paid for it, so it counts.”
“I’m the quest giver, so I get to decide whether or not you get credit for it.”
“Aha! So you admit it was a quest.”
A crew member came to the door and knocked. “Your limo is waiting to take you to the airport for your visit to England.”
“Speaking of evil wenches, I have something to tell you.” I spilled out the whole story, telling him about finding the ipecac syrup in Abigail’s room, confronting her and tattling to the production team, and how absolutely nothing had happened as a result. And that she basically admitted to sleeping with Matthew Burdette before calling me a name.