Nichelle slammed her phone down hard onto her desk.

“How are things–” Bernard started.

“Don’t!” she said. She exhaled and then said, “Sorry. I am getting blocked at every turn.”

Bernard frowned. “Maybe it’s because there is no there there.” 

“How long have I been here?” asked Nichelle. “How many times have I chased a turkey?”

“I don’t-”

“Then let me do my job, Bernie.”

He raised his hands in surrender and stepped back. “Okay, okay. Keep digging.”

She let herself seethe for a handful more heartbeats but then focused and moved on to the next contact on her list.

Chapter 24

Chapter 26