Rachel stretched her long legs in the back of the spacious limousine as it inched along with the flow of heavy rush hour traffic. The interview had gone much better than her previous television appearance. At least this time she was able to answer specific questions about her second novel, now that she really did have more than just the title.
Fortunately, the producers had scheduled the taping of three shows before Rachel’s interview, so she had an opportunity to relax on a couch in the green room and catch a few hours of sleep before a staff person came in to take her to make-up. Once awake, Rachel’s natural adrenaline rush had kept her alert for the rest of the afternoon, but now she was in need of a cup of strong, black coffee, which the driver had thankfully been able to supply.
Rachel couldn’t wait to tell Alex about her successful interview and how surprised she had been when Larry King showed her his hard copy of Legal Briefs. It was
The phone rang at eleven thirty, just as Alex was getting out of the shower. Thinking it might be Rachel, he nearly tripped over his shoes getting to the phone, but the voice on the other end belonged to Jack Lawson, who was calling to confirm Alex’s appearance at the reception.“I was just getting ready to leave,” Alex told him.“That’s great, Alex. We’re all really looking forward to this event. See you soon,”“Event? What event?” Alex said into the phone, but it had already gone dead. This is ridiculous, he thought. I hardly even know Mrs. Friedman, I don’t know why they’re making such a big deal about it.He put the t-shirt and jeans he was going to wear back into the drawer and reluctantly put on a casual suit instead. Just before he left, he tried Rachel’s number once again. This time it wasn’t the service that answered, it was Karen.“This is Alex Bentley. Is
Karen was reading the Sunday New York Times and watching a baseball game simultaneously when Rachel, still in her pajamas walked into the livingroom. In all the excitement of the party, Rachel hadn’t had a chance to tell her roommate how good she looked after returning from her summer excursion. Glancing in the hall mirror at her disheveled appearance, it occurred to Rachel that she could use a vacation herself, but any thoughts of a rest would have to wait. For now, she was simply grateful to have slept undisturbed for most of the afternoon.“I can’t remember the last time I slept past three ,” she yawned loudly. “I don’t suppose there’s any coffee?”“I just made some when I heard you get up,” Karen looked up from her paper. “You look like you could use the whole pot,”“Thanks. It’s nice to have you home. I think. I noticed Gary wasn’t here last night. Does he know you&rsq
All week long, Rachel’s attempts to phone Alex were constantly thwarted by her demanding schedule. By the end of the week, the strain was becoming visibly apparent and not even the heavy television make-up was able to conceal the darkening circles of exhaustion under her eyes.By Thursday afternoon, Peter agreed a well-rested author would sell a lot more books than one who couldn’t keep her eyes open during an interview. After her signing event at Borders, the driver took her back to Prelude’s office, where Peter told her he was canceling her Friday and Monday appearances. He then practically ordered Rachel to spend the next few days resting. Rachel knew that rest was only one reason why Peter was being so generous. The deadline for the first draft of her second novel was approaching and, with her hectic promotion schedule, she hadn’t had the time or the energy to write a single word.It was close to seven when she finally returne
“Brad, is this lunch thing really necessary?”“It is if you want to make the higher-ups happy. I just wish I could be there, but someone has to hold down the fort while you’re being wined and dined,”“I’ll trade places with you in a second. I still don’t understand why they’re making such a big deal out of this,”“C’mon, Alex. You know we need some positive press and you’ve become the poster boy for the entire US Postal Service, not to mention inspiring a lot of postal employees to take the CPR course. I’ve been scheduling classes all over the state since the news hit the media. Just smile and enjoy it,”“I’ll smile, but I’m not going to enjoy it. I feel like Dorothy trapped by the wicked witch. I just want to go home,”“Relax, Alex. It will be over before you know it,”As soon as Brad left the office, Alex p
Flashbulbs ignited the room, causing more confusion as the postal inspector started reading Alex his rights. Rachel forced herself through the crowd and onto the stage where she shoved her New York State Bar membership card into the face of a security guard trying to keep the press off the stage.“I’m Postmaster Bentley’s attorney, let me through,” she screamed over the noise. Seeing Rachel appear at his side, Alex got the second shock of the afternoon.“Rachel? What are you...how did you?”“Alex, I’ll explain later. Don’t say anything. What are the charges?” She demanded of the men who were leading Alex off the stage. But before she got an answer, she was approached by two other men who blocked her way.“Where do you think you’re going, miss?”An attractive man of about forty stood directly in front of Rachel. He had a warm smile, but his eyes were telling her she was de
Rachel found an empty bench outside the courthouse where she could legally indulge her socially unacceptable habit in peace. She was about to light the cigarette when she heard an irritating whine coming from her purse. The LED display on her cell phone revealed the caller’s identity, but Rachel let it ring four times before answering. She had already been reprimanded once that day and was in no hurry to repeat the experience. Reluctantly, she hit the button and held the phone a few inches from her ear.“Rachel, where are you?” Joan’s voice blared through the small receiver. “The next chapters were due in my office three hours ago!”Fortunately, her editor was a lot easier to handle than the postal police. “I’m sorry, Joan. I should have called, but there was an emergency. The chapters are finished,” she lied. “I’ll have them on your desk first thing Monday morning, I promise,” I hope.
Rachel only had a few minutes to speak with Alex’s attorneys before the proceedings began. In order to avoid running into Mark, Rachel entered the courthouse through a side door and made her way to the conference room where she suspected the defense team was briefing Alex on the case. Not bothering to knock, she opened the door and was immediately greeted by two hostile glares and one look of relief. Ignoring the attorney’s protests, she proceeded into the room, slamming the door behind her.“You don’t give up, do you Ms. Clark?” Dean hissed.“I have important information that will affect your case,” she insisted.“We have all the information we need. You’ll only get in the way. Jeff and I are going to represent Postmaster Bentley and that’s final.”Defiantly, Rachel pulled a chair out and sat next to Alex. She saw the worry on his face, motivating her to continued trying to convince his at
As soon as they entered her apartment, Rachel noticed the light on her answering machine flashing viciously. She marched over to the table and slammed her hand on the OFF button. After spending the past several hours in oral combat, she was verbally drained and didn’t want to talk to anyone, except Alex.Rachel opened the hall closet and handed him the light blue sweater he had left behind. She remembered how the color made his eyes sparkle and hoped his wearing it now would erase the dark exhaustion and worry from his face. But she knew he was going to need more than a simple change of clothes to achieve the transformation. She opened the portable bar, took out two glasses and filled them with ice.“I don’t normally drink on an empty stomach, but I’m making an exception. What would you like? I have scotch, vodka, gin, bourbon..,”“Bourbon on the rocks would be fine, thanks,” Alex took off his jacket, threw it over the b