It had to stop today!
Maggie’s brow furrowed as she stared at the beautiful gown, and an idea struck her. Her lips curled into a sly smile. She turned on her heel and walked back into the design room.
Maggie sat down at her desk in the design room and picked up her phone.
She tapped the celebrity client's name.
The line connected on the second ring.
"Maggie," the celebrity answered, the crispness still in her voice. "Please tell me you have good news."
"It wasn’t your new wedding dress. The woman who owns that boutique must have taken a picture of your previous wedding gown that is on display in the Pre-Loved section.” She rubbed her face. “It also has your name on it, and that’s how she got it.”
“So you know this woman?” she asked.
“Not well,” Maggie explained the situation honestly, and who Vanessa was.
“Oh, Maggie,” the client said sympathetically. “I understand leeches. That's why I divorced my previous washed-up husband.”
“I plan to cut ties with them as well,” Maggie told her.
“You need to, Maggie,” the client agreed. “This could be very damaging to your reputation.”
“Agreed,” Maggie said. “That’s why I have a plan.” She paused for dramatic effect, knowing how much her client loved drama."But it requires you to be willing to help me set a trap. And it requires you not to tell a single person about it."
There was a small pause.
"Now this," the celebrity said slowly, the ice in her voice melting by half a degree, "sounds interesting. Tell me."
Maggie told her. She kept it brief. She walked the celebrity through the broad shape of what she was thinking, and she watched, in her mind's eye, the celebrity's whole face change as the plan landed. The celebrity was a woman who lived for theater. The celebrity had built a career in theater. The celebrity had not been this entertained by anything in months.
"Maggie," the celebrity replied when Maggie had finished. "You have my full co-operation, and yes, you can use what you asked for.” Her voice was bubbling with excitement. “Now, tell me what time you need me there."
"Just before lunch," Maggie answered. "I will have a car arranged to bring you in privately. And I will need you to wear something specific. I am going to courier it to you within the hour."
"I am at your disposal," the celebrity confirmed.
"I cannot thank you enough," Maggie told her.
"Maggie," the celebrity added. “I’m glad you’re not letting those people walk all over you anymore. Anything you need, just let me know.”
"Thank you, that means a lot,” Maggie said with a smile.
“I will see you just before lunch and can’t wait for my ‘gift,’” she told Maggie, who could all but picture the woman's sly smile.
The line went dead.
Maggie set the phone down and let out a long, slow breath she had not realized she had been holding.
That was the easy part.
She picked the phone up again and tapped Michael's name.
He answered on the second ring.
"Hello, Maggie. I was just going through your divorce file," Michael greeted her, and the warmth in his voice sent a delightful shiver down her spine and made her heart flutter.
"Hello, Michael," Maggie said. "I need your help to catch a cheater and get rid of my estranged husband for good.”
