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"Psst! Blake! Over here!" Harley whisper-yelled. Mallet covered her mouth. "Be quiet! People will hear you." "I think I was supposed to hear her, Mallet," Blake said as she snuck behind the bush. "But the way this one whispers, the whole town would hear." "True, true." "Could you guys stop talking about me like I'm not here! Let's just do this." Harley was getting impatient. "Yeah, ok."
"What do I have to do?" Blake asked, as Mallet secured the recorder. "Just talk about taking down Spaulding, and casually ask him what's going on," Mallet replied. "What if that doesn't work? Then what?" "Pressure him." "How?" "You'll think of something." "C'mon Mallet! I'm serious! And where did Harley go?" "I'm over here!" Harley called from the bench outside Company. "Cooper, you're not supposed to be seen! Get back over here!"Mallet yelled quietly. "I know. I know. I was watching Sebastian. If you guys don't hurry, I think he's gonna leave." "One more second," Mallet grunted as he finished connecting the recorder. "Done." "Alright. Here we go."
"Hey Sebastian," Blake greeted her brother as she entered the restaurant. "Hello Chrissy." (Chrissy is Blake's given name). "We have to talk." "About what?" "Spaulding." "Spaulding what?" "Business. Spaulding business. I wanna know what's going on over there." "Oh. Well, not a hell of a lot. Common rich person stuff." "Fill me in." Blake was unsure how well this would work. "Alright. Alan and Alex are in the midst of acquiring more stocks. They want to take away the stock of all Phillip's ex-wives, except Beth Raines, terminating any ownership rights any of them have." "Oh really? Why? Do you know?" "Not exactly. They believe that it's what Phillip would want. Personally, I don't like them speaking for a dead man." "Why? You speak for Daddy all the time."
Mallet's eyes wandered across the room. "Oh damn!" He thought, as he saw Harley's father, Buzz approaching him. "What am I gonna do?" In the kitchen, Harley also noticed, and tried to get Blake's attention. Luckily, she looked in Harley's direction, just in time. "Buzz!" Blake called out. "Hey Blake. What's going on?" "Not much. You wanna get me and Sebastian refills on our coffee?" "Sure, be right back."
"That was close," Blake whispered, unaware she had spoken out loud. "What was close Chrissy?" Sebastian asked curiously. "Nothing, just talking to myself." "Oh." Blake watched Mallet exit Company, with Harley close behind. "I gotta go Sebastian," she said suddenly. "Now?" "Yeah, now." She began to leave, when Buzz came back with the coffees. "Where are you going?" He asked. "Sorry Buzz, I gotta go. Maybe Sebastian is really thirsty and he'll drink both coffees." "Yeah, ok." "Bye!" She called, walking out the door.
"How'd I do?" Blake asked, sneaking behind the bush once again. "You did great Chrissy!" Mallet teased. "Why does he call you that anyway?" "Because it's what my dad called me. Christina Blake Thorpe, remember?" "Oh yeah. I forgot you had the initial before your name, like me." "Ok, enough about names!" Harley exclaimed. "Sorry. Got off track for a sec. Anyway, did he say anything beneficial?" "Possibly. You did great Blake, even if this doesn't lead anywhere."
"That is very peculiar though. How much stock does each ex have?" Mallet inquired. "Depends." Harley answered. "On what?" "Basically children." "So you have more stock than, say, India?" "Yeah. And Beth has the most. Then me and Olivia, then India, and anyone else he's been married to." "Oh, I get it." "I really do have to go," Blake said, impatiently. "You wanna get this thing off me?" "Sorry. Will do." "Thanks," she said, as Mallet removed the recorder. "You did wonderful Blake," Harley said, as Blake began to leave. "I love you, hon," Blake said. "Love you too. Don't worry, this'll all be over soon," Harley replied. "I hope so. I really hope so."