Dark Light by Randy Wayne White Read Free Book Online

I’d cooperate?”
    â€œLike I said, I know what you want. My job was to convince you that marrying me was the best way to get it.”
    She shook her head, amazed. “No wonder you became the new chief of the Guild. You’re good.”
    â€œJust think, you’ll be going back to your office with the scoop of the week. ‘New Guild Boss Weds Reporter.’”
    She wrinkled her nose. “That’s a little tame for the Curtain . I’m sure my editor will come up with something more exciting.”
    â€œI don’t care how the headline reads so long as you don’t leave me standing alone at the registrar’s office this afternoon.”
    â€œMy colleagues at the paper and my friends are going to have a lot of questions.”
    â€œOne thing I should make clear,” he said evenly, “this arrangement will work best if we convince people it’s for real.”
    For the first time, she looked amused. “You expect me to imply to everyone I know that you and I have been secretly involved for some time and just now decided to get married?”
    â€œI think that would be the simplest approach, yes.”
    â€œGet real.”
    â€œNo one will think it strange that we kept the relationship secret until now. It’s a little awkward for a Council member to admit that he’s dating a journalist who specializes in exposés of the Guild.”
    She blinked and then frowned a little. “Okay, I can see that.”
    â€œGiven your opinions of the organization, I’m sure your colleagues won’t be the least bit amazed that you kept quiet about dating me, as well.”
    She contemplated that for a moment and then shook her head. “I’ll do my best, but I’d better warn you that I doubt very much that I’ll be able to fool my editor. Ivor Runtley has great instincts when it comes to sensing a story.”
    â€œIf you have to tell Runtley the truth, try to make him see the importance of keeping quiet.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll give it a shot. He’ll do just about anything if the story is worth it.” She got to her feet and slung her purse over one shoulder. “I hope you know what we’re both doing.” She glanced at Elvis. “Time to go, pal.”
    Elvis hopped down from the windowsill. He drifted across the floor and vaulted up onto the back of the chair. Sierra held out her wrist to him. He leaped aboard and bounded up to perch on her shoulder.
    â€œI’ll meet you at the registrar’s office at a quarter to five,” Fontana said. “Did you drive?”
    â€œNo, I took a cab.”
    He opened the door and looked at the anxious young man seated at the smaller of the two desks. Dray Levine was the new second assistant to the new chief executive assistant, Harlan Ostendorf. A week ago Dray had been a clerk in the records department. He was still adjusting to the rarified atmosphere of the executive suite.
    â€œDray, please see my fiancée downstairs and into a Guild limo.”
    Dray stared, clearly dumbfounded. His throat worked.
    â€œFiancée, sir?” he finally managed.
    â€œThat’s right.” Fontana smiled. “Miss McIntyre and I are getting married today.”
    â€œUh, congratulations, sir.”
    â€œThank you,” Fontana said.
    â€œA limo isn’t necessary, really,” Sierra said.
    Fontana smiled. “Sure it is. I’m not sending my future bride home in a taxi when there’s a fleet of perfectly good limos sitting downstairs in the garage.”
    Dray’s stunned expression finally smoothed out into his more customary anxious-to-please look. He jumped to his feet.
    â€œI’ll be happy to escort Miss McIntyre downstairs, sir,” he said. “Will there be anything else?”
    â€œYes.” Fontana looked at the empty desk. “When does Harlan get back?”
    Dray glanced at the clock. “Mr. Ostendorf took an early lunch.