Page 19 of Final Verdict
“That’s not why I asked you to call them.”
“I know, I know, I’m getting there.” The sound of her flipping through papers comes over the line. “Yes, there’s a woman named Scarlett with an outstanding debt, and they’re willing to waive half of what she owes in exchange for getting your representation.”
“They must be underestimating my retainer fee,” I say. “How much could this woman possibly owe?”
“Fifty thousand dollars before their interest fees.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Fifty thousand before fees,” she repeats. “But when they factor in all the late fees and everything else, she owes sixty-nine thousand.”
I blink.
“Mr. Tate? Mr. Tate, are you there?”
“I need to call you back.” I end our connection before she can respond and lean against the railing.
This situation is none of my business, but between all the times I’ve replayed our night together and the pure panic that flashed in her irises—I’m intrigued.
Opening my inbox, I click on the trash folder and search for her last email to me.
Against my better judgment, I copy her number and call it.
It rings once. It rings twice.
“Oh my God, look!” She answers with a huff. “I’m not interested in opening a new loan, my credit is fucked, and I would really appreciate it if you people deleted me off your calling list.”
“Hello, Scarlett,” I say.
“Um, hi… Who is this?”
“Jameson.” I pause. “Is now a bad time?”
“No, I just thought…” She clears her throat. “I thought you were another robocall.”
“Obviously.”
“Are you calling to finally tell me where I can meet you?”
“No, I think I’ve seen you enough for this lifetime.”
“You’ve seen meonce.”
“Exactly.” I refuse to let her steer this conversation. “This is about something else.”
“I’m listening.”
“The card those men gave me that night was for a personal loan company. Do you owe them any money?”
“That’s a really personal question.”
“It’s a yes-or-no one.”
She doesn’t answer.
“Hello?” I ask. “Scarlett?”
“You can send my shoes to either of the PLS Check Cashing stores on Broadway,” she says, her voice tight. “I know the manager. I’ll tell him to keep a lookout for them.”
