The Other Daniel - A Camille Grisham Novella Read Online Free

half the
garbage that Sykes is trying to put out there, it could seriously
stain your reputation. With everything you have going on – Elliott
Richmond, the questions about your friend’s murder – you can’t
afford to have anyone undermining your credibility. The best option
you have is to go on the offensive; strike down anything that Sykes
says before he even has the chance to say it.”
    “And how am I supposed to do that?”
    Jacob hesitated, as if his response was one
that he had to pull from the depths of his being. “Write your own
book.”
    Camille bit down on her lip to stop herself
from yelling. Of all the ways the sharks had ever attacked her,
Jacob Deaver’s attack was by far the most brutal. In less than five
minutes he managed to tap into every vulnerability that she had –
Daniel Sykes, Andrew Sheridan, her best friend’s murder, and the
person responsible for it – and he used it to pitch a book. Even if
everything he said about Sykes was true, Camille didn’t believe for
one second that he tracked her down out of some altruistic need to
save her reputation. He saw an opportunity to build his own.
    “I think your two minutes are up.”
    Jacob’s hooded eyes
widened. “Ms. Grisham, please hear me out. I’ve read everything
there is to read about your story. I know you tried to save your
partner. I know you tried to save those two girls that Sykes ended
up killing. But the people behind this book are going to say
something very different. How do you think it’s going to be for the
families of those victims to hear only one version of the
story? Sykes ’
version of the story? It will be devastating. You have the
opportunity, right now, to stand up for their belief that you did
everything possible to save the people they loved. You have the
opportunity to confirm what you and I both know is the truth. For
your sake, for the sake of those families who are still mourning,
don’t let that opportunity pass.”
    In Camille’s mind she was screaming at him,
throwing coffee mugs, pushing over tables, calling him every
obscene name imaginable. When she opened her mouth to actually
speak, she could only manage the faintest of whispers. “Goodbye,
Mr. Deaver.”
    As she stood up from the table he gently
grabbed her hand. Aside from the fact that he was a stranger
putting his hands on her, something about his touch made her
recoil.
    “I know this has probably been a lot to take
in, and I apologize if you feel ambushed. That was honestly the
last thing I wanted to do. But everything I’m telling you is true,
as is my sincerity in wanting to help you. Perhaps with the benefit
of time you’ll be able to see that. If you do and would like to
talk more about it, I’m staying at the Brown Palace Hotel.” He
reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper on
which he had already hand-written a telephone number. “You can call
the front desk and they’ll connect you to my room. I’d be happy to
meet with you whenever, where ever. All I ask is that you consider
it.”
    Camille studied the paper a moment longer
than she intended to. The hesitation bothered her. “There’s nothing
to consider,” she replied, hopeful that the sudden doubt in her
heart did not reveal itself in her voice. Then she took a deep
breath, cast one last glance at the French Bistro cheeriness of the
City Perk, and walked away from Jacob Deaver.
    When she reached the door, she looked back
at him. The hand that he held the paper in was still extended, as
if he fully expected her to come back for it.
    Much to Camille’s horror, she almost
did.

CHAPTER TWO
    PROS AND CONS
     
     
    Desperate to take her mind
off of the unfortunate encounter with her
would-be biographer, Camille picked up the notebook the moment she
walked into her apartment. It was a seventy-page blue spiral with a
wide-rule designed for third-graders with sloppy penmanship. The
fact that she wasted time dwelling on such trivial details was a
big reason