Bluff by Jane Stanton Hitchcock

Author:Jane Stanton Hitchcock [Hitchcock, Jane Stanton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781464210709
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: 2018-09-28T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-one

Hungover from a night of booze and sex, Brent Hobbs arrives at Sklar’s apartment a few minutes past ten. He succumbed to Magma’s unsubtle invitation to spend the night with her, not just because she can be useful to him, but because she was hellbent on proving to him that she could outdo any younger woman when it came to satisfying him in bed. And whaddaya know? She was right! Magma was terrific in the sack—possibly not as terrific as that clinically depressed Russian model he interviewed for a piece he did on the oligarchs two years ago. But she came pretty damn close.

Sklar greets Hobbs as he steps off the elevator. The sleekness of Sklar’s black designer duds makes Hobbs feel slightly self-conscious in his ancient tweed jacket, pilling cashmere sweater, stained corduroy trousers, and tattered loafers.

“Hey, Brent, howya doin’? Fun party, huh?” Sklar says, ushering Hobbs into the apartment.

Hobbs has been to Sklar’s apartment on several occasions when the two men had information for each other they didn’t dare discuss over the phone. Hobbs thinks of it as minimalist hell, but he envies the wealth it represents. He can’t help comparing it to his own humble digs in a shabby, rent-controlled brownstone. He wants to make some real money and now’s his big chance. The public can’t get enough of this scandal. Sunderland’s battered image is as shocking as a jackhammered face on Mount Rushmore. Hobbs knows if he plays his cards right, he’ll hit bestseller trifecta: a billionaire, a bimbo, and bigamy.

Hobbs and Sklar sit in the living room and have coffee.

“Dany’ll be out in a minute. So how do you know Magma?” Sklar asks.

“I met her at some dinner.” Hobbs is purposely evasive. He never tells Sklar any more about his personal life than he has to.

“So are you guys an item?” Sklar probes.

“Not really.”

“They call her Magma the Magpie, you know. She repeats everything she hears and makes up the rest. I wouldn’t take anything she says too seriously.”

“You mean like the fact she fired you?”

“I know she likes to tell people that. But, truthfully…? I had to let her go as a client.”

“Really? How come?”

“Because she doesn’t have enough money for my fees. I only took her as a favor to Jean. Can we speak frankly before Danya comes?”

“Sure.” Hobbs takes out his notebook and pen.

“Off the record?”

Hobbs nods.

“Truthfully…? Dany’s nervous about seeing you. The press hasn’t treated her too kindly, as you know.”

“I can see that would be a concern,” Hobbs says, thinking of a recent New York Post cover featuring yet another grainy photo of Danya in a G-string, hanging off a pole, with the headline: BILLIONAIRE BIGAMIST’S BIMBO!

“I told her you’re a good guy.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Brent, is it fair to say I’ve been helpful to you in the past?”

“It’s fair to say we’ve been helpful to each other,” Hobbs says.

“Candidly…? I’m giving you the scoop of a lifetime here. You understand that, right? I’m counting on you to reciprocate.”

Hobbs squints.

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