Don’t Love, Don’t Lose

 It sounds like you broke quite a few laws to get the information you did. How many databases were those that you’re not supposed to have access to?”

Jasmine shrugged.

“I covered what tracks I made. I made very few. I’m good at this, Rita. I don’t have to worry about that.”

“But you know that you have to worry about Sanders. He’s going to know that you’re involved. He’s going to come after you, one way or another. Last time, he threatened to ruin Mama.”

Jasmine knew that.

“I know. I’ve been careful. This might… What if it gets back to you? I am worried. I kind of hope that as long as Aunt Della is working for Malone Enterprises, things will be fine, but I don’t know. I don’t know what to do. Do I just get Aunt Della to quit, and tell Tony that I couldn’t find any proof? Because I have the proof and haven’t sent it to him. I could just tell him that I believe the temp agency is responsible, and tell him to not use them.”

“And all those people won’t get those permanent jobs.”

“They could, if they let Tony vet them. There are two ways Sanders works – he uses blackmail, or he pays.”

“He used blackmail on you.”

“What?”

Rita laughed, but it was a bleak sound.

“Did you think I didn’t know? You helped him get that powerful. Not because you wanted to, but because he threatened Aunt Della. You know how he operates because he made you do it for him. He made you work for him.”

And there it was: Jasmine’s greatest and most secret shame.

“I didn’t know that you knew.”

“I didn’t need proof. I knew because you were miserable, and you wouldn’t tell me why.”

“It was a long time ago. I mean, compared to what I can do now, it was really nothing.”

“I know that. But I know what it cost you to do it for him, too. And I know that you feel like you have to make amends. You don’t. Don’t do anything for me, or for Malone, or for Mama. Do what you need to do. Do what’s best for you.”

It was wise advice from Rita. But Jasmine didn’t know how to do it. She didn’t know what was best for her.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll handle it. Don’t worry about it.”

“Of course I’ll worry about you, Jas. That’s what sisters do. If you want to go after him and bring him down, I’ll be there for you. Now, are you ready for an afternoon of pure indulgence?”

“Why are we going there again?”

Roger sounded far too smug.

“Because she didn’t send me the entire report this morning.”

“And you know this how?”

“I know it, so shut up, and come with me.”

“I’ve never known you to need a bodyguard before, Tony.”

“You haven’t seen what those cats can do.”

“I see the bandages. So, your Jasmine fixed you up, did she?”

“She is not my Jasmine.”

“You’ve got it bad, my friend. You’ve got it real bad.”

Anthony gave up. There was no point.

“I wonder if Henrietta is with Jasmine.”

“Please, don’t go there, Roger. Don’t even fucking go there.”

“Hey, she’s an adult. I’m an adult. Neither of us is involved with anybody else. If we want to, we can go anywhere we please, don’t you think?”

“I give up.”

“Wise choice.”

“Roger…”

“I said wise choice.”

“Fine.”

They drove in silence until they got to Jasmine’s apartment.

He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock when the door opened.

It wasn’t Jasmine.

“Henrietta! What a lovely surprise. You haven’t met me, but I’m Roger Vickley. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”

“You are?”

Anthony sighed. Jasmine was going to kick him.

He recognized the look on Rita’s face. He’d seen it before. He’d seen it so many times.

“I am indeed. Tell me, what are you doing for dinner? Because I know what I’d like to be doing for dinner. Hey, Jasmine, you look good. A little tired, did you two girls stay up all night?”

Jasmine ignored Roger completely. Her eyes were on Anthony. But he couldn’t read her. It was disconcerting. He was used to being able to read people.

“Tony. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I needed…”

He couldn’t remember just what he needed.

“Come in. Have a seat. I’m afraid things are a little messy. I… Look, Lucy and Quinn are friends now. Is your hand okay? Are your scratches fine? Did you check them today?”

“Worried about me?”

“Of course. The cats are not vaccinated,” she deadpanned.

“I’m touched by your concern. We need to talk.”

She nodded.

“Alone.”

She frowned.

“I’m not leaving my sister alone with him.”

“I’m sure your sister can handle herself. Please, Jasmine.”

This was not a man who was used to saying please. Jasmine sighed and nodded.

“We’re going for a walk, Rita. Roger, behave, or I’ll know the reason why.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She didn’t trust him an inch, but he was a charmer, and he was Anthony’s friend. So she nodded.

“Come on.”

She grabbed a coat and a scarf, and she set off without waiting to see if he was following.

Jasmine was tried to figuring all of it out on her own. She was tired of having to make all the decisions. If Sanders found out that she was the one who’d given Anthony the information, well then, let him. She couldn’t do much about it, not anymore. She didn’t even want to do anything about it anymore. She was done.

“Hey, slow down.”

“Sorry. We can go to the park.”

“The park? Is that wise?”

“It’s afternoon. It should be fine. It gets dangerous after dark.”

He nodded.

“Besides,” went on Jasmine, “nobody in their right mind would go there now. We can talk.”

Anthony grinned and nodded. Jasmine wished she could take away the distance she had put between them. But she had to keep it there. It was the only way she could be safe.

She couldn’t risk everything. She had just made up her mind to risk so much. She couldn’t risk her heart as well.

She ignored the little voice that told her that it was far too late for such considerations. She wouldn’t believe that. She couldn’t believe that.

She could protect her heart. She would.

She walked until she got to a bench that looked like it might not give them an infection, and sat down.

“All right. What did you want to talk to me about?”

She figured she might as well get what he had to say first.

“There was a forgery.”

“What? You didn’t tell me about it.”

“I was coming to tell you about it now. There was a forgery. This is the document that was forged. I’ve sent you the soft copy – the original one, and the forged one. The original one is from my personal email. The forged one is the one from our network. Every copy on the network was changed.”

Quickly, Jasmine pulled up her email.

“It’s not an excellent forgery. It’s just good enough to maybe pass if you’re busy.”