“The story dies right here. The pictures are destroyed. And you never come near this building or the people who live here again.”
Merry interjected. “And you go to rehab.”
“Whoa!” Lila stood and clenched her fists. “I told you, Idon’thave a drinking problem.”
“Thou doth protest too much.”
Lila started toward Merry. Jason jumped up and stood in front of her. “You touch her, and not only will the offer be rescinded, but I’ll sue you and your paper for libel, defamation of character, and attempted bribery.”
Lila stopped in her tracks.
Ah ha. We know what to use for leverage.Jason wanted to avoid the stress and publicity of a trial at all costs, but she didn’t know that.
“I’ll lose my job.”
“Maybe you need a new line of work, anyway. Look, Merry’s idea was a good one. I’ll pay for a full treatment program. If yousign out early or against medical advice, the money stays in my bank account, and I’ll sue the paper for millions.”
“What makes you think you’ll win?”
“I have an excellent lawyer. He’s never lost a case.” That wasn’t necessarily true either, but it sounded good. He must have convinced her, because she remained quiet and appeared to be thinking it over.
“Look, Lila,” Merry’s voice softened. “I know of a couple of excellent thirty-day programs. I’ve recommended them to a couple of people I know, and they were damn glad they participated. Each got more than they expected—not just a chance to sober up. It improved their whole lives.”
After a long hesitation, she asked, “How will I know I’ll get paid after the thirty days?”
Jason crossed his arms. “I’ll leave a check made out to you in a sealed envelope with the hospital administrator. The instructions will be written on the outside of the envelope. He’ll only give it to you upon completion of the entire program. Otherwise, it comes back to me.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What’s the catch?”
“Only that I take you to the facility myself,” he said. “And I need to see that you’re admitted before I leave. You can watch me put the check in the envelope and hand the envelope to the administrator.”
“Maybe he’s a friend of yours and will tear up the check as soon as I turn my back.”
“You can ask him or her if we’re friends. Since I play baseball and don’t know anyone in that business, I’m certain it won’t be a problem.”
Merry strolled over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. When she didn’t shrug it off, she said, “You’re being given a very generous offer. If you’re smart, you’ll take it and when you get the money, disappear to some beautiful locationand get a new job.”
Lila exhaled and lowered her shoulders.
She’s going to go for it!“Oh, one more thing…” Jason said.
“What now?”
“If you ever try to extract any more money from me, you’ll go to jail. I have my phone set to record all calls just in case you or anyone else of like mind manages to get the number. And if you ever write to me…”
She shook her head. “I won’t do that. I’m not stupid.”
“Good. Then we understand each other.”
She nodded. “Can I go home now? I’ll have to pack.”
Merry held up one hand. “Not so fast. You could break your word and run the story. We’re about the same size. I have clothes you can borrow.”
“And what am I going to do in the meantime? Sit here until tomorrow when the admissions department opens and the hospital administrator shows up?”
“That sounds like the best option,” Jason said. “I’ll make the arrangements tonight.”
“And I’ll wait up with you,” Merry said.
