Bette poured coffee for herself and Winnie then invited her guest to sit in the living room where they could see the kids, but far enough not to be heard.

Winnie was a tall lanky red-head with freckled skin and piercing blue-grey eyes. She was attractive but her features showed evidence that she was going through something that had her downtrodden and highly stressed. Once they settled on the couch Winnie turned to face Bette and got right to the point.

“Bette, I know you don’t know me but I’m taking a wild shot that maybe we have some interests in common.”

“What do you mean?”

“I know Helena’s coming on to your board of directors.”

“Yes, and I can’t imagine why but what does her coming on to the CAC board have to do with you?”

“It has nothing to do with me, but it’s a pattern of behavior that I recognize. She has absolutely no interest in your museum except that you work there. Has she started inserting herself into your day to day business; showing up at your meetings uninvited, telling your staff what to do, frequenting your hang-outs?”

“Yeah, she’s everywhere. I can seem to get away from her, and my ex flaunting their relationship in front of me, my sister and friends doesn’t help. What’s worse she’s got my boss Franklin convinced that it was me that caused the CAC to lose the grant so he’s kissing her ass. He thinks he can get her to change her mind. She’s even manipulated that weak-minded sycophant into hiring someone to help with fundraising.”

“That’s how she deals. She seeks out people that she can easily dominate. She colonizes.”

“She fucking plunders and pillages.”

“My guess is that she’s out to ruin your reputation and eventually get you fired.”

“That’s ridiculous. Why?”

“She’s made you the enemy. She was so pissed after your meeting in New York. When she brought the kids home, she was ranting and raving about your audacity and how the CAC wouldn’t see a cent of Peabody money no matter what Peggy had promised. I know she didn’t approve the grant money, but when she learned that you’d gone behind her back and talked to Peggy she totally lost it. I guess just holding back the funds wasn’t enough retribution; she’s coming after you. That’s why she’s here.”