6
She got home bursting with anticipation. Her goal of over twelve years was about to be realized. When she stepped out of her room after showering, she was pleased to see Tara had called.
She called her back immediately. “Hey, Tara.”
“How did it go today?”
“Not so great. I didn’t get the post.”
“What? How could he deny you after showing him the photo?”
“That’s the thing. I didn’t end up showing it to him. I wrote this perfect email—.”
Tara interrupted her. “What? Why not?” There was something strange about her voice.
“I didn’t feel good about it. I mean if he loses his job, I’d not only be hurting him, but his daughter too.” Marisa thought she heard Tara breathing fast and hard on the other end, but when she spoke, her voice was even.
“It’s just so unfair. I want you to succeed. It’s wrong for you to be kept out of this because you’re a woman. I want a win for women everywhere. You would not believe how hard it has been for me to rise up in my law firm. They keep me in research because I’m a woman and don’t think I can lead a case.”
“I told you I never wanted to be the poster child for women’s rights. I just want to do my job the best I can.”
“I know. I know. But a girl can hope, right?”
Marisa chuckled. “We have to.”
“I mean it’s their loss not using me. I’m a forgery expert after all, and they have the biggest case they’ll ever have involving forgery, and they won’t let me lead. Insanity.”
“That’s terrible. The worst thing about it all is that they are all wasting talent. They’re hurting themselves as much as they are hurting us.”
“Hey,” Tara said. “Want to meet me at that new Thai restaurant on via Guilia and via Lata? I’m starving. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?”
“No, that’d be great. I just got out of the shower and need to get ready. Give me twenty minutes, that’s only a couple blocks from my place.”
***
After ordering, they leaned in close together to talk. Marisa was surprised at how quickly she had become friends with Tara. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed having someone to talk to. She’d been lonelier this last year than she’d realized.
“I’ve been thinking and thinking,” Tara said. “And I know how you can get your promotion without blackmail.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And—it’ll be fun.”
Marisa screwed up her face.
“Seduce him.” Tara grinned and leaned back. “You want something from a guy, you just have to give him a little something, if you know what I mean.”
Marisa’s jaw dropped and a shocked laugh escaped her. “You’re kidding, right?”
“What’s the big deal? You’ll have fun. He’ll have fun. And you’ll both end up getting what you want.”
“No way. I’m not that girl.” The thought repulsed her. And if she was being honest with herself, she’d admit that the captain had no interest in her whatsoever. She would never be able to seduce him or any other man.
“Come on. Girls do it all the time. Guys, too. I’ve even seen your captain do it to women at the club.”
Anger rose up in Marisa, and she wondered why. It was none of her business what the captain did with his free time. “The captain would never do that. He’s sworn to celibacy and has such integrity that he would never—”
“Uh, hello? Where do you think I got that photo?” She looked around the restaurant as if trying to see if anyone was looking. “That man leads anything but a celibate life. Believe me.”
Marisa opened her mouth to respond, but there was nothing she could say. She didn’t know how to explain how Tara got the photo.
After that, Tara seemed to back down a little. “I’m only trying to help you see what kind of a man your captain of the guard really is. I’m sorry if I burst your bubble. Forget I said anything. I’m sure you’ll end up getting that promotion the right way—from your merits. Yeah. I’m sure it’s a time issue. You only need to be in the guard a bit longer. That’s all.”
***
Marisa climbed into bed feeling conflicted. If the captain really was a womanizer and wasn’t holding true to his contract as the captain of the guard, maybe her using the photo wouldn’t be so bad after all. His relationship could jeopardize the entire royal family. Maybe it would be better if he was let go. His daughter’s sweet face filled her mind. He was a resourceful man; he’d find something to do. She was sure of it. But could she do it? That was the question.
And the answer was no. No. She was no blackmailer. If the captain was acting dishonorably, it would have to be discovered without her interference.
***
She pulled on her uniform, hung neatly in her locker after yesterday’s shift. Because she hadn’t slept well, she felt off, her thoughts not as clear as they usually were. It didn’t help that she was later than usual. She liked to be five minutes early to everything. She hustled to her post and had just unlocked the doors when a group of women turned down her hallway. The entire castle was double secure with all doors requiring manual unlocking before electronic. After they used their proxy cards to enter the room, Marisa took her post again. They brought up the captain of the guard, which made her remember her decision not to use what she knew against the captain. She fingered the picture in her pocket for a long while until she decided to really look at it. She saw once again that the little girl, Zaina according to the back of the picture, had some features that made her look just like her dad. She was so mesmerized by Zaina, she didn’t hear Laterza’s steps until it was too late. Upon seeing him already around the corner, his beady eyes set on her, she slid the picture into her pocket.
Laterza waited until he was only feet from her and said, “Not happy with your post? Needing a diversion?” His eyes flicked to her pocket.
“No, sir.” The words were sour in her mouth.
His nose twitched into a sneer, and he left her. She rolled her eyes. Christian would have demanded to see what was in her pocket. She had dodged a bullet.