Chapters (54)
- Cover
- Epigraph
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Epilogue
- A Note from the Author
- Discussion Questions
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Acclaim for David Rawlings
- Also by David Rawlings
“I’ve read my contract and the Human Resources manual, and nothing in there says my behavior or the wording of my conversation is a sackable offense. A formal warning at worst, but not sackable. In fact, if anything, I have fulfilled the obligations of our customer service guarantee.”
Arnold deflated, his attack robbed of fuel. He tried to sit tall in his chair and resume his self-appointed role of executioner. “It’s not your role to determine what punishment fits the crime. Until we can speak to this doctor, I’m giving you your second formal warning—”
Kelly stood tall, flooded with righteous intent. “Actually, save it. I quit.”
“You don’t get to quit—” But Kelly was already out the door.
One half of her was lifting her integrity shoulder high and celebrating a win. The other half of her was picturing how much work it would take to sell her car or, heaven forbid, the house.
And how she’d tell Daniel.
Twenty-Eight
Daniel sauntered toward Simon’s counter, behind which lay the answers he needed. He had examined every option, and each one was a winner. If these photos showed him “truth” about Milly and Kelly, he would confront them with it. But if they denied it, he would sue Simon for doctoring the photos. Last, if there was nothing wrong with them, then Simon had at least Photoshopped his first photos, and he would still sue him—for everything he had. He wouldn’t even need the money from a second book.
These photos had to be nothing. Garth had just unnerved him.
The thin strap of the camera cut into his shoulder. He had to keep it nearby at least until he could prove how this was happening.
Simon rose on the balls of his feet, an envelope on the counter in front of him, its proud sticker sealing the evidence Daniel wanted. No, needed.
Daniel lay his work folder, a copy of No Secrets, and Gramps’s camera on the counter. “Good morning, Simon!”
Simon beamed. “You look like you’re in a good mood.”
“I’m about to have a great day. Either I find out what Milly and Kelly won’t tell me or I’ve got ammunition for my lawyers to take you to the cleaners.”
Simon chuckled. “That’s the right approach, if you will accept truth.” He held out the envelope for Daniel to take. Daniel took hold of it, but Simon didn’t let go.
Daniel snatched it from him and ripped it open. Daniel frowned. “Just three photos? I took more than that. And how can you get away with charging me forty-four dollars for three photos?”
Simon rose on the balls of his feet. “Three is all you need.”
The first photo showed a frowning Milly with his mother, smiling in that awkward way of hers. That was nothing new.