Animalistic (Tiger in Her Bed)

Sabrina skirted around her desk and sank herself in to her office chair. “Who is he? The one who assaulted Frank Darbo?”

“I wouldn’t say assaulted; he was defending himself. His name is John Alexander.”

“John Alexander? He sounds like that music producer.”

“He is that music producer.”

“Are you serious? This changes everything.” Sabrina pushed her chair until the back hit the wall. “How do you know John Alexander, anyway?”

Arielle shrugged it off, playing it like it wasn’t a big deal. “Let’s just say, I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy. Call it extensive networking.”

Sabrina pulled the chair forward and tapped her Mont Blanc pen against her desk. She was unusually fidgety today. “I already handled this complaint, but I must warn you, Frank Darbo likes to play dirty. Darbo has ties with the mob.”

“Well, whose fault was that? You told me to serve him no matter what.”

Sabrina’s expression turned petulant. “I didn’t think you’d enlist your friends to attack him.”

“As I explained, it was self-defense. Darbo swung first. He obviously wasn’t thinking that John would hit him back.”

Sabrina sighed hard. “What’s done is done. But I have a bad feeling about this. Frank Darbo is a very sleazy guy. You should be careful.”

“Why? Did he threaten you?”

“Not me. His lawyer relayed to me off the record: I’ll get that bitch one way or another. Those were his exact words. I safely assumed that he meant the bitch in question is you.”

“Why am I the bitch?”

“I didn’t say you’re the bitch. Darbo did.”

“Sabrina, we’re too old to have this kind of juvenile conversation. What does any of this have to do with me? I’m not the one who hit him.”

“Who knows? Darbo is a lunatic. I’d watch my back if I were you.”

“Uh-huh. I can take care of myself, so don’t you worry.” Arielle let the sarcasm drip from her voice.

A brief silence passed between them.

“And I’m sorry,” Sabrina added in a quiet voice, “for dumping this case on you.”

What? Sabrina apologized to her? Had pigs learned to fly?

“No problem. Is there anything else?”

“No.”

“I need to get back to work.” Arielle turned around, and started to leave when Sabrina called out again.

This time, Sabrina didn’t face her head on. Her boss hunched over her desk like she was about to cry.

Whoa, whoa, what happened here?

Before she could open her mouth to ask, Sabrina beat her to the punch. “Please don’t take Chris away from me. He’s all I’ve got left.”

So, this was what the fuss was about?

Arielle didn’t think she had ever seen Sabrina in this state. She looked so vulnerable and fragile. It was a rare opportunity, and Arielle was tempted to say something snarky to get back to her for all of the misery she had put her through. But in the end, she just couldn’t do it.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Chris and I are over. He’s all yours.”