Found – part 10

Just drop it, Alice. Youre going to get in over your head and people will get hurt and youll get all upset andjust drop it before its too late, Dana pled as they approached The Planet.

Dana! How can I? Its my responsibility as a journalist to find out the truth, no matter what.

Right, drawled Dana in disbelief. Because this little quest of yours has anything to do with any stories youre currently writing.

Oh, just leave me alone. Im doing this. Alice pushed through the double doors into the caf, ready to confront Marina with the evidence.

Stalking purposefully to the office in the back, Alice did not even wait to see if Dana was behind her. She was on a mission!

Dana reluctantly followed, from curiosity and loyalty, not because she really wanted to be in on this. Somebody was definitely going to get hurt, and she was afraid it might be Alice in the end.

Rapping on the office door, Alice opened it without waiting for a response. Marina! Just the person I was looking for. Alice walked in and made herself comfortable in a chair across the desk from the surprised Italian. Dana sidled into the room and propped herself in the corner by the door.

Hello, Alice, Marina greeted the blonde with a bemused smile. What can I do for you? She had been around Alice long enough to know it was simply better to wait and see what was going on than to try and guess. Nobody ever knew what Alice would do or say next. Hello, Dana.

So, Alice began, I understand that Pietro is, what, eight years old now?

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Bette, I cant thank you enough for giving me this opportunity. I have followed your career since I was in high school, and am honored to be working with you. Though she was not prone to gushing, Ana had to at least try and express her gratitude to her new mentor.

Ana, you deserve this job. I was very impressed by your transcripts, and the curators you interned with in Barcelona had nothing but praise for your work. And really, I dont know how great an opportunity this will be. I am trying a new approach with this gallery, as you know, and there are no guarantees. Not to mention, I plan on working you pretty hard.