“A contract?” Janice probably could scribble something down. “Sure. I’ve got a lawyer who will take care of it. But of course it’s all confidential. Nobody would be allowed to know about it. Deal?”

Sherry just stared at her.

This evening seemed to last forever, and all Madison wanted to do was to meet Phil and the guys for a few drinks in their favorite club. Oh, shit! She had totally forgotten about them. Phil was probably wondering where she was.

Madison opened the door. “Think about it. I’ll be right back.” She took the remains of her disgusting plastic salad, left the car, and closed the door behind her. After throwing the food in a trash can, she got her cell out and called Phil.

When the call was finally accepted, bass pounded through the speaker. “Phil?” she almost shouted.

“Mad?”

“Yeah, sorry, I’m late.”

“Late? You’re not here? Where’re you?”

Great. Nobody had even noticed her absence. She walked back to the car. “Long story. You won’t believe it.”

Sherry was still eating her fries while surveying her food as if she wasn’t listening in on Madison’s call.

As if.

“Aha.” Phil mumbled something to someone in the background, then said more loudly, “You can let me know when you get here. Or shall we meet at your place instead? We thought we could do the usual and have a party at your place.”

A party? Normally, she wouldn’t have hesitated to agree, but if she wanted to follow her plan, she would have to stop holding her legendary parties.

At least for a while. Until the old witch burns in hell. “Sorry, pal. I can’t. I’ll explain later.”

“What? Sorry, it’s so loud here. We’ll be there at about one, I guess.”

“No! Dammit, Phil. I can’t do that.”

“You can’t do what?”

“I can’t party with you.”

Phil laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. Sorry.” She’d had enough of Phil and this conversation.

“Um, okay.”

“See ya. I’ll try to make it to the club.”

Phil ended the call without answering.

What an asshole. Madison pushed the phone back into her pants pocket and got back into the car.

Sherry flinched when Ms. Fielding yanked open the door, sank into the driver’s seat, and pulled the door violently closed. “And? Have you made up your mind?”