Fifteen Days to Divorce novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: The Sequel

The envelope on Portia's porch held four pages and a sticky note in Margo's looped hand.

"No hard feelings, hon."

Malachi read the pages standing in the cottage kitchen in yesterday's shirt, with Portia beside him eating toast.

"She wants fifteen percent of the sequel," he said. "Under her old management contract."

"Can she get it?"

"No. The studio fired her for cause." He turned a page. "She wants a hearing anyway."

"Why?"

"So we have to go."

Portia put down her toast.

"That's the whole plan? Make us show up?"

"It's not a plan," said Malachi. "It's a tantrum with a law firm."

He folded the pages in half, and then in half again, and put them in his back pocket.

It felt good.

At ten he drove to the studio alone, because Portia had a fitting.

Frances had given him a pie for the road.

The studio chief's office was on the top floor, with a view of the water tower and nothing else.

The chief did not stand up.

"Sit," he said. "I'll make this quick. The investors are nervous."

Malachi sat.

"Since the premiere, every outlet in the country has a take. Brave. Honest. Liability."

The chief tapped a folder.

"The sequel can go ahead. I want it to."

"With what?"

"A clause. Twelve months, a morals rider, same as before."

"You stay settled. A wife, a fiancée, a visible partner. No surprises."

Malachi looked at the folder.

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