Page 96 of Deck the Hauls

If there was any chance my hopes were valid, I needed to know.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

EMILY

I tapped my foot on the marble floor of the lobby as we waited for the elevator to arrive. Rebecca had offered to meet us in Brooklyn, but I’d felt safer meeting her at the newspaper’s offices, well away from anyone I knew. I would need to tell my family about Phillip, but I’d do that once I had a better understanding of the next steps.

The elevator door opened and people in suits streamed out. We waited to the side and then entered. I wiped my palms on my jeans.

We stepped out of the elevator on the thirty-fourth floor and into the gleaming-white reception area.

Thank god Dana was by my side. A twinge of guilt stabbed my chest. I’d been so close to kissing her at the ice rink, throwing all my worries aside. But then I’d pulled back at the last moment, and hurt had flashed across her face.

I swallowed, my mouth dry, as we reached the reception deck. “Um, hi. I’m Emily Rossi, here to see Rebecca Maguire. She’s expecting me.”

The woman behind the desk made a phone call, and a minute later Rebecca appeared.

“Thanks so much for agreeing to see me, Emily.” Rebecca smiled, shaking my hand. “And good to see you again, Dana.”

My heart thumping, we followed Rebecca down a corridor lined with glass meeting rooms.

“Don’t worry, we’re not in one of these fish bowls. I kicked my boss out of her office so we can have some privacy.”

My shoulders relaxed slightly. I did not like the idea of being on display for anyone to see while I relived my experience with Phillip.

We entered a small office, which just fit a bookshelf, a desk and three chairs. Rebecca shut the door and gestured for us to take a seat. I exhaled as I sat down. I can do this.

Rebecca took a seat behind the desk and pulled out her phone and a notebook. “I’ll record our interview if that’s okay with you.”

“That’s fine,” I said, but my heart beat even faster. Having the conversation recorded made it feel very serious, very real.

Dana reached out her hand, as if she was going to touch my thigh, but instead she let her arm fall to her side. Guilt rose in my chest again. She wanted to comfort me, but because of the rules I’d established, she couldn’t.

“As discussed on the phone, before we start I just wanted to make sure you understand there are legal risks with you speaking out. Phillip could bring a defamation lawsuit, which could be stressful and expensive. We’re trying to reduce that risk as much as possible by ensuring all the evidence is reviewed by our legal team and corroborated.”

I shifted my weight on the armchair. Rebecca had mentioned this when I spoke to her on the phone yesterday. But based on my subsequent Google research, it seemed unlikely that Phillip would succeed. He’d have to prove our allegations were false, which would be difficult given they were most definitely not.

I chewed on my lip. “Do you think you have enough to bring him down?”

If she didn’t, then this whole ordeal would be for nothing.

“I think so. In addition to you and Cat being willing to speak publicly, we have a few sources who have been willing to share their story on the condition they remain anonymous and the article doesn’t include any identifying details—which means we can’t go into a lot of depth. We’ve also got other evidence...that he paid women off, pressured them into signing confidentiality agreements, covered up complaints and hired private investigators to intimidate them into staying silent. All of that will help support your story.”

Bile rose in my throat. “Private investigators? Phillip sent me some flowers with a threatening note a few weeks ago. Do you think that’s how he knew where to find me?”

Could he even have people following me, spying on me and Dana?

“Quite possibly. That or he just used his connections to find you. He’s got a wide network of them and I’m sure some work for HolLove. Did you keep the note, by any chance?”

“No, sorry. I threw it in the trash.” Damn. I hadn’t even considered it could be used against him.

“That’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Do you have any other questions?”

I shook my head. “I can’t think of anything else.”

Rebecca leaned forward. “Are you okay to get started, then?”

I nodded, swiping my tongue around my dry mouth.