The Major's Wife (Jubilant Falls series Book 2) by Debra Gaskill Page A

stopped abruptly. "Somebody who lives out of town."
    "Why can't you tell me? What are you hiding?"
    He shook his head. "None of your business."
    "It won't take much digging for me to find out. Why don't you just save us both a lot of trouble?"
    "I've had about all I'm gonna take from you, buddy." He jabbed a thick finger into my tie. "I suggest you get out of this office right now."
    "Then repairs will begin on Elizabeth Kingston's apartment as soon as possible?"
    "I said get out!"
    "In case you or your mysterious supervisor decides to contact me, here's my card."
    The ape shredded the card, dropping the confetti on the grape carpet. "If you don't get out of this office," he said, speaking slowly. "You'll never see daylight again!"
    "Have a nice day—asshole." I waved and slammed the door behind me.
    Hopefully that will do it, I thought, punching the Down button at the elevator. I may not have a story if he does, but at least Elizabeth—
    Pain ripped through my left arm, as I felt it twist up between my shoulder blades; someone grabbed a handful of hair, and I tasted blood as my face slammed against the elevator button.
    "Listen, dick brain." The Neanderthal's voice roared in my ear. "If I were you, I wouldn't mess around here any more. There's more trouble here than you or that hare-lipped little bitch ever thought about. You got me?"
    "You son of a bitch!" I sputtered, against the wall.
    "I said, you got me?" My face slammed against the wall again, and stars swam around my left eye.
    Suddenly, the elevator chimed, its parting doors my only escape. The Neanderthal pulled me away from the wall and shoved me in.
    "Don't come back."
    * * *
    "Oh my God, Marcus, what happened to you?" Jess stood up from behind his computer.
    I flopped down in the seat next the city desk, a wet wad of brown industrial paper towels against my face. "I met the landlord from hell."
    "Jesus Christ! Is this that welfare mother story you were telling me about? What happened?"
    "Yeah. I asked him his name."
    Jess turned to the other reporters beginning to assemble around us, barking out orders. "Somebody go get me a photographer! I want this documented! I want the police called! Nobody does this to one of my reporters!"
    "Hold on, Jess! No cops. Not yet."
    "What? Wait a minute!"
    "No, you wait a minute! This is my story, and I'll handle it the way I want." Dropping the wet paper towels in the trash, I swiveled in my chair and quickly logged onto the newspaper's computer system, where a newsroom phone message file was kept. "Anybody call from Aurora Development or about Aurora Development?" I asked no one in particular. Scrolling down the green screen, I saw four messages from Elizabeth and one from Kay. Something must have happened, but Elizabeth left no number. I waved everyone around me away and dialed Kay's number.
    "So, how did it go?" she asked.
    "This goon that operates the place wouldn't give me his name, but I think I got through to him." Gingerly, I touched my swollen face.
    "You really think so?"
    "No doubt. I made an impression." On the wall. "Have you heard from Elizabeth?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "She's called here a couple of times, but didn't leave a number."
    "She's not scheduled to come back to the center until next week, unless she walks in."
    "You’d let me know if you heard anything, right?"
    "Of course! Marcus, I'm so grateful for all this. I hope she has some good news. What can I do to thank you?"
    "Oh, there are a few things that come to mind."
    Kay started to speak, then stopped, I assume, to put me back in my place.
    Quickly, I did it for her. "How about a simple dinner?"
    "Much better suggestion. I'll see if I can get a babysitter for Friday night. How's that?"
    "Great. See you then. I better go. I need to get down to Elizabeth's place and see what she needs. Then, I've got to go down to the clerk of courts."
    "OK. See ya Friday." The phone clicked in my ear.
    I wouldn't do this for anyone but you, Kay. Or