Page 75 of Love Under the Microscope
I shake my head. “I’ve been on the other side of the city interviewing a doctor who worked on the first trials of IVF in the UK. My editor wants a vanity piece about him.”
“Come into my office.” She motions me inside and closes the door. “A journalist got a tip that we’re using unregistered labor at our manufacturing plant. A statement’s being released this afternoon, but we’ve had more calls, so the rumor is out there. Supposedly, we also have them living in disgusting conditions in a damn farm building.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I laugh at the ludicrous notion. “I’m betting a certain Nigel Carrington has something to do with this.”
“I’d say that’s a winning bet.” Zelda shakes her head. “We hold school tours and visitor days. We’re transparent wherever we can be, so I’m not sure why anyone would think we could get away with something like this.”
She looks weary, with circles under her eyes and a pale complexion. All I want to do is hug her, but I don’t know if her office has security cameras.
“I can look into it,” I offer.
She shrugs. “I hope the statement works. Otherwise, we’ll have to let the press have a look for themselves. Not that our plant has any secrets, but it’s disruptive to the employees who have orders to manufacture.”
The hairs on the back of my neck bristle. Maybe whoever spread the rumor knew it would impact Zentello financially and hurt their reputation if they can’t meet their orders. “What does Nate think?”
“Same as you. That it’s Nigel,” she admits. “Luckily, the PR head suggested a statement. Otherwise, Nate would have just told them to go fuck themselves.”
I laugh because as much as Nate Lowe wants to fuck around with my peers, I agree with him. Funny how falling for the woman behind the mask makes you feel differently about things. Wait, am I falling for her?
No, I’ve already fallen for her, completely.
“Anyway, it’s under control for now, so let’s do this interview.” Zelda’s smile is a little brighter now, which pleases me. This woman does so much for so many, she should smile all the time. “I’ve booked a room to make it all above board. Follow me.”
When we arrive at the conference room, I’m surprised to see Nate pacing along the length of the room. I hadn’t expected him to sit in on the interview.
Zelda shoots him a look, but she says nothing.
“I thought I’d say hello to Jack.” Nate flashes me a thin-lipped smile. “How are you doing?”
“Good, thank you.” I shake his proffered hand. “You?”
“Well, we could do without the shit those buddies of yours are throwing at us.”
“I have no idea what the story is.” I glance between him and Zelda. “I hadn’t heard anything until Zelda told me.”
Nate looks at Zelda. “Can you give us a minute?”
“Nate,” she warns.
“I’ll be good. I promised,” he says somewhat playfully, and she rolls her eyes. “You don’t mind, do you, Jack?”
“Not at all.” Bring it on, Lowe, because you’re not getting rid of me easily. I happen to like your ex-wife a lot. But saying those words to him after he’s had a shit day like Zelda wouldn’t be the best way to introduce myself. I’ll save that for later.
Zelda shakes her head. “I’ll be back in five minutes.”
Nate watches her leave and closes the door behind her. “I need to know. Are you using Zelda to get information about Zentello and Orchid?”
The guy doesn’t play games or waste time. I’m impressed. “I’m not going to lie. I want an interview about those two subjects badly, but I’m not using Zelda.” I drop my bag onto the conference table and cross my arms over my chest. “I like her a lot, and I want to help her prove Nigel Carrington’s the source behind all the lies and non-stories.”
“Solid answer.”
“It’s the truth. I also want to keep her identity a secret. It’ll be safer that way.”
“She told you about—”
“The unhinged woman from grad school? Yes.”
Nate’s face hardens. “That woman will never come close to her again.”
