The Grotto's Secret: A Historical Conspiracy Mystery Thriller Read Free Page A

spring flower.
    ‘Maybe it’s because she runs through Hyde Park in the mornings and doesn’t stick her nose into her laptop as soon as she wakes up.’
    ‘You’ve made your point.’
    ‘I keep trying, but it doesn’t seem to be getting through. Go spend your money. Live your life.’
    ‘And who’ll run this place?’
    ‘Me. I’m overdue for a promotion, anyways.’
    She gave him a ha-ha look. Turning her back on Jimmy, Kelby scribbled reminders about the week’s targets on the whiteboard. Her thumb sneaked into her mouth and she slid her nail back and forth across her bottom teeth. Not biting, filing, she often convinced herself. It helped her to think of the perfect solution to whatever problem plagued her.
    ‘Wish she would stop mouthin’ in the papers about your latest bust up.’
    Kelby spun around to face him. ‘Which one?’
    ‘Where you called her “Mafia money”.’
    Kelby groaned. She wasn’t proud of her temper. That one had been captured on air.
    ‘If you keep on at the cow, it’ll make it worse.’
    ‘I don’t care! I won’t have Teresina stomping all over me.’
    He continued his telling off. ‘It sends you more tormentors.’ He tapped the magazine. ‘Like this graffiti fella.’
    ‘Don’t rub it in.’ Kelby sunk into her chair. ‘Please print off Jason’s new business plan. I’m also waiting for the NDA from the Beach Hut. Their application for home working pods looks exciting, but I can’t go any further without signatures.’
    She rubbed a lens cloth over a smudge on her glasses. ‘And diarise a day with the producers. They keep changing things on set. I’m going to put them straight.’
    ‘I’m on it. By the way, Miss Gappy called.’
    Jimmy loved to give her mentees nicknames. The group was labelled the ‘hunting pack’. She frowned at him, trying to put the nickname to a face. ‘Miss Gappy?’
    ‘Joanne, the gap-tooth. The marketing campaign you suggested is going gang busters.’
    ‘I’d hate to know what nickname you have for me behind my back.’
    Jimmy shuffled to the door. ‘I see you’re on that again, so I’ll get outta your face.’
    As he opened it, a myriad of chattering voices in the main office flowed through the door. The sound of an intercom squawking in the reception frayed Kelby’s nerves. She darted to the door, leaned out to face a bunch of people and bellowed, ‘Will someone get that?’ They turned to gawp at her.
    At that moment an office assistant dressed in spotted leopard tights and high-heeled boots scrambled out of the kitchen and headed to the squawking intercom. ‘I’ll get it!’
    ‘Thanks, Zelda,’ Kelby called out, relieved the squawking had stopped. She closed her door.
    Beside her, Jimmy whispered, ‘Those red smeared lips remind me of a leopard licking its blood tainted mouth after gorging on a carcass.’
    ‘Oh, she’s harmless.’ Kelby strode back to her desk and plonked herself down at her laptop.
    ‘Maybe, but she’s not the brightest button.’
    ‘Give her a chance. I have a feeling she’ll show her true colours and prove herself.’
    He shrugged. ‘Not sure how long we can wait. Besides, I know you felt sorry for her when her mother told you how she had struggled to get a job after she dropped out of uni.’
    Despite Zelda’s questionable dress sense, Kelby liked her. Within days, she had settled herself into the office, overtly attentive at all times.
    ‘But then, that’s you all over, Kelby. Hardened honeycomb on the outside and gooey caramel on the inside. A real softie.’
    Ignoring his summary of her, Kelby muttered, ‘Don’t you go spreading such terrible rumours.’
    ‘Hah! That secret’s in the can.’ Jimmy chuckled. ‘Hey, I have an idea. Maybe you can ask one of the girls to talk to Zelda about her clothes.’
    Suddenly Kelby slammed her hand on her desk making Jimmy jump. ‘Hang on! I have a great idea. You know I told you I wanted to get rid of those designer frocks I’ve been given