in the city, but I never saw any ghosts or anything even close. A séance is simply a means of trying to make contact with the ghost, spirit, or a dead person. You can use a Ouija board, but I’ve heard that’s dangerous. Some believe it opens portals into the unknown, allowing evil spirits to enter. We won’t be doing that.”
Toots took a bite out of her second hamburger. “I still can’t believe we’re talking about this…craziness. You sure you don’t think I’m losing my mind?”
“Not at all. If I thought that, I would drag your old ass to Dr. Sameer’s clinic in a heartbeat.” Sophie laughed.
Toots almost choked on her food. “Don’t you dare! I would kill you first. I’m going to tell Abby about him. Maybe she can do a bit of investigating on the side, see if he’s registered with the American Medical Association and all the places any good doctor would register.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that? You said he came highly recommended by your doctor. Are you having second thoughts about him? He sure as hell fixed Ida’s problem in a hurry, I’ll give him credit for that.” Sophie tossed her napkin on top of her plate. “I’m ordering dessert before I get too full.”
Toots smiled and took one last bite of her burger before giving up. As usual, her eyes had been bigger than her stomach. She should’ve ordered dessert first. She swigged the last drop of her ice tea. “Yeah, I’m ready for a sugar rush, and if Joe Pauley recommends someone, you can bet they’re the best. I’ve trusted the man with my health for more than twenty years. Sameer did cure Ida of her weirdness, so he can’t be all that bad, but there’s something about him that gives me the creeps.” Toots removed her lipstick from her clutch purse, reapplying her favorite warm peach color. “Again, it’s probably nothing more than an old woman’s paranoia.”
Miguel appeared at their table with the dessert menu. “Ladies, will you be having another beverage with your dessert?”
Toots rolled her eyes, “Yes, we’ll both have coffee, heavy on the cream and sugar. I’ll have the red velvet cake.”
“Ditto for me,” Sophie said.
Toots waited for Miguel to leave before she resumed their conversation. “The next time I talk to Abby, I’ll ask her if she can run a check on Sameer. Though she might not have time, since she’s going to have her hands full with her new assignment, which, by the way, will put The Informer on the top of the tabloid totem pole.” Toots hadn’t told Sophie about the upcoming interview with pictures of the Pitt/Jolie clan. She’d kept quiet long enough.
“Oh, I didn’t know she was out pounding the pavement again. I thought editor in chief was her new job.”
“She’s not, and it is. For now anyway.” Toots took a deep breath, knowing Sophie would be as excited as she was. “Abby received an e-mail from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s publicist inviting The Informer to interview them, and, get this, they’re letting Abby take pictures of the kids!”
“What the hell! When did this happen?”
“This morning. And it gets even better.”
“How so?”
“She’s asked Ida to be her photographer,” Toots said.
Sophie shook her head. “Ah-ha! So this is why you’re suddenly so concerned about Sameer’s credentials. I knew there was something you weren’t telling me.”
“I’m probably being paranoid again, but this interview is big-time news. I have to protect the paper and Ida, plus I have to make sure my identity isn’t revealed. I would hate for Ida to make a slip of the tongue. Call it a sudden case of I need to cover my ass. And if you’re right about Ida and Sameer, who knows what might slip out of her mouth while she’s wallowing in ecstasy.”
Miguel delivered their coffees and dessert.
“Why don’t we just ask Ida if she’s sleeping with the doctor? There isn’t any reason for her to deny it,” Sophie said.
“If it were
Toots took a bite out of her second hamburger. “I still can’t believe we’re talking about this…craziness. You sure you don’t think I’m losing my mind?”
“Not at all. If I thought that, I would drag your old ass to Dr. Sameer’s clinic in a heartbeat.” Sophie laughed.
Toots almost choked on her food. “Don’t you dare! I would kill you first. I’m going to tell Abby about him. Maybe she can do a bit of investigating on the side, see if he’s registered with the American Medical Association and all the places any good doctor would register.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that? You said he came highly recommended by your doctor. Are you having second thoughts about him? He sure as hell fixed Ida’s problem in a hurry, I’ll give him credit for that.” Sophie tossed her napkin on top of her plate. “I’m ordering dessert before I get too full.”
Toots smiled and took one last bite of her burger before giving up. As usual, her eyes had been bigger than her stomach. She should’ve ordered dessert first. She swigged the last drop of her ice tea. “Yeah, I’m ready for a sugar rush, and if Joe Pauley recommends someone, you can bet they’re the best. I’ve trusted the man with my health for more than twenty years. Sameer did cure Ida of her weirdness, so he can’t be all that bad, but there’s something about him that gives me the creeps.” Toots removed her lipstick from her clutch purse, reapplying her favorite warm peach color. “Again, it’s probably nothing more than an old woman’s paranoia.”
Miguel appeared at their table with the dessert menu. “Ladies, will you be having another beverage with your dessert?”
Toots rolled her eyes, “Yes, we’ll both have coffee, heavy on the cream and sugar. I’ll have the red velvet cake.”
“Ditto for me,” Sophie said.
Toots waited for Miguel to leave before she resumed their conversation. “The next time I talk to Abby, I’ll ask her if she can run a check on Sameer. Though she might not have time, since she’s going to have her hands full with her new assignment, which, by the way, will put The Informer on the top of the tabloid totem pole.” Toots hadn’t told Sophie about the upcoming interview with pictures of the Pitt/Jolie clan. She’d kept quiet long enough.
“Oh, I didn’t know she was out pounding the pavement again. I thought editor in chief was her new job.”
“She’s not, and it is. For now anyway.” Toots took a deep breath, knowing Sophie would be as excited as she was. “Abby received an e-mail from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s publicist inviting The Informer to interview them, and, get this, they’re letting Abby take pictures of the kids!”
“What the hell! When did this happen?”
“This morning. And it gets even better.”
“How so?”
“She’s asked Ida to be her photographer,” Toots said.
Sophie shook her head. “Ah-ha! So this is why you’re suddenly so concerned about Sameer’s credentials. I knew there was something you weren’t telling me.”
“I’m probably being paranoid again, but this interview is big-time news. I have to protect the paper and Ida, plus I have to make sure my identity isn’t revealed. I would hate for Ida to make a slip of the tongue. Call it a sudden case of I need to cover my ass. And if you’re right about Ida and Sameer, who knows what might slip out of her mouth while she’s wallowing in ecstasy.”
Miguel delivered their coffees and dessert.
“Why don’t we just ask Ida if she’s sleeping with the doctor? There isn’t any reason for her to deny it,” Sophie said.
“If it were
Similar Books
