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“Good morning, Mrs. Skeffington. I was asked to phone and inform you that Mr. Skeffington will need to remain in New York. His return to Chicago today will be delayed.”

Joy’s heart sank. “Delayed for how long?”

Tess and Cory glanced at each other with that I told you so look on their faces.

Joy saw that look, but she ignored it.

“I am unable to give you a timeframe, ma’am,” Minnie said over the phone. “I don’t know how long he will be detained.”

“But will he be back today?”

“Once again, I am unable to say anything for certain at this time, ma’am. I don’t know.”

Joy shook her head. That secretary of William’s was always so robotic to Joy. No feelings whatsoever! “At least you can tell me why he’s being detained,” Joy said.

But even she knew Minnie couldn’t tell her that either. Every high-dollar client William dealt with was a mystery to most everybody at SPR. Including her. “I don’t know the reason, ma’am.”

“Can I at least talk to him?”

Tess was offended. “You don’t have to ask that witch to talk to your man! You tell her ass to put him on the phone!”

But Joy held up a finger. She knew how it worked with William. And demanding him to do anything wasn’t it.

And Minnie knew how it worked with William too. “He asked me to phone you, ma’am. He’s unable to come to the phone at this time.”

Joy felt deflated. But she knew it wasn’t Minnie’s fault. “Thanks for letting me know.” And she ended the call.

“Girl, why you asking that bitch---”

“Because that’s how it works with William, Tess,” Joy interrupted her. “He hasn’t changed his routine because I’m his wife. If anything,” she said with a distressed look on her face, “he’s doubling-down.”

“And you just sit back and let him?”

Joy knew Tess wouldn’t understand. She’d never been married a day in her life. Neither had Cory. They were young, gifted, and black and out there enjoying their lives. “That’s how it works,” was all she was going to say about it.

“Anyway,” she added as she began leaving, “let’s get to work.”

And they both looked at each other, but they followed Joy’s lead.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

William’s chief-of-staff ran off of the elevator and made his way to the conference room on the top floor of SPR’s New York headquarters building. When Bobby Latham flung open the double doors of the conference room with a look of terror on his face, all conversation immediately ceased.

Max and Minnie were there, but so were the CEO, the CFO, and the COO of SPR there too. They were preparing for the major Gates meeting.

William, who was leaned against the window seal with his shoes crossed at the angle and his arms folded, unfolded his arms. “What did they say?”

“They’re going public.”

An audible gasp filled the room. “Dammit, dammit, dammit!” said Jim Flannagan, the CEO. “How long do we have?”

“Twenty-four hours. And not a second longer.”

“How could you let this happen, William?” Jim asked. “He’s one of our biggest clients. And don’t tell me you didn’t know that woman was his wife!”

William looked at Jim. Jim realized he had overstepped his bounds. “I didn’t mean it that way, but this is a mess we’ve got ourselves into. Just a mess.”

Nobody had to tell William. He was telling himself, beating up himself and everybody around him, ever since he spoke with Diana. He looked at Bobby. “Does her husband know?”