“Busy?” asked Harlequin.

            “Yes, but come on in anyway.  I was looking at the acquisitions that Helena had put together…,” began Tina, trying to find a tactful way to say what she wanted to say.  “Before she left.”

            “Hmmm, I saw.  Rather heavy on the homosexual front, were they not?”

            Tina pursed her lips, wondering how to delve into that subject, “It was a passion of Helena’s.”

            “Hmmm, yes.  Her downfall, wasn’t it?  Hosting a wedding, leave it to my sister to try and be romantic.  She should have been honing her business skills instead of her sexual prowess.  Dump the list,” instructed Harlequin.  “We’ll begin anew.” 

            With that, Harlequin walked out of the room.  Tina slammed the thick booklet of acquisitions onto the desk with a muted grunted.  Anger bristled through her, but she knew it had nothing to do with Harlequin and her coldness, it had everything to do with the feeling that everything in her life was closing in on her.

            The phone buzzed, her assistant, Faith, voice cut through her thoughts, “Tina, Peggy on line six for you.”

            “Thanks, Faith,” said Tina as she snatched up the phone. 

            “Tina, darling!  How are you?  Well, I’m sure.  There is a meeting with a prospective big fish, as they call them in the industry..,” said Peggy with her usual flare. 

            Tina didn’t have the heart to tell her that no one called anyone a big fish anymore, “Ok, when is this meet and greet, Peggy?”

            “Tonight, there is to be absolutely no delay in acquiring this certain book.  Is that understood?  I have a hand shake deal with a very prominent cable company to play host to this wonderful piece of work,” yammered Peggy. 

            “Tonight?  Rather short notice…,” mused Tina, different scenario’s running through her head as to what Henry was going to say about this. 

            “It must be tonight, Harlequin, will, of course, be there,” added Peggy.

            “Of course, but…,” began Tina, thinking of Angelica as Peggy cut her off.

            “Once you read this, you’ll understand, absolutely what I’m looking for, call me tomorrow with the details…,” with that, Peggy hung up.