Truth or Dare by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page B

she’s missing?”
    I sighed. This is not what I was supposed to be doing. I was supposed to playing in the ocean with my friends. “We were playing a little game of truth or dare and um, she kind of was dared to go pick up a strange guy.”
    Tamara hesitated, then said, “Okay. Hate to hear that, but what does that have to do with us because I’m assuming it does since you said we have a problem?”
    â€œWell, I had Marcus, our undercover photographer, follow her, but he said she was boring, so he dumped out for the night and we haven’t seen her since.”
    â€œWhat? Maybe she clicked with the guy and they just went off together.”
    â€œWell, that’s what I initially thought,” I replied. “But when she didn’t check in and nobody has seen or heard from her, everybody started getting worried.”
    â€œWow, that is scary. I hope you guys find her, but I’m not understanding how this is your problem.”
    â€œI’m not understanding either.” I let out a long sigh. “It really isn’t my problem if you ask me. But some people think that I may be to blame and Rumor Central may be liable because I’m the one that dared her.”
    Tamara was quiet at that admission. “Please tell me that’s not true.”
    â€œYou’re the one that wanted some good footage so I dared her and had Marcus follow her. No drama was popping off so I was hoping to get some good dirt or gossip or maybe even some video of her making out.” Even saying it now, the idea sounded stupid, like anyone even cared who Evian Javid was getting with.
    â€œOh my God,” Tamara said.
    â€œWe’re looking for her,” I said, trying to ease Tamara’s concerns. I even lied and told Tamara the police were involved. I hadn’t dared call the police for real because naturally, the first call they would make would be to Evian’s people. “So don’t worry about it. We’ve got it handled. I just wanted to keep you updated.”
    â€œWhat if this is another Natalee Holloway case?” she said, her voice filled with concern.
    â€œWhy does everybody keep talking about Natalee Holloway?”
    â€œThat case got worldwide attention.” I could hear her up and pacing. “Where’s Marcus now?”
    â€œI don’t know,” I said.
    â€œYou need to get with him. You said you guys were looking for Evian?”
    â€œYes,” I said.
    â€œOkay, call Quincy, too. He needs to follow you everywhere you go. Not only for liability reasons, but who knows what you will turn up? If you get something good, it could bring in some awesome numbers.”
    I was a little shocked, although I don’t know why. “So, you’re concerned about ratings?” I asked.
    â€œI’m always concerned about ratings,” she replied matter-of-factly.
    â€œDo you know what kind of powerhouse story we’d have if we broke up an American kidnapping ring in Cancun? Oh, I can see the headlines now.”
    Tamara was going off on a tangent, and I could tell there was nothing I could say to change her mind.
    But still I had to try. “Tamara, this is serious. I don’t think we need to be trying to think about ratings.”
    â€œSweetheart, don’t be mistaken. We always think about ratings,” Tamara said. “Now find Quincy. I’ll get in touch with him as well and I want him rolling on every single thing you do.”
    â€œAll right, talk to you later. Check back in soon.” She hung up the phone before I could say another word. In fact, I sat there staring at my phone.
    No, she didn’t just hang up in my face . Not only was I caught up in the middle of some drama in Evian’s disappearance, but now I was expected to film the whole thing for ratings? As much as I loved my job, sometimes things like this made me hate it.

Chapter 11
    I knew one thing; I was tired as all get out. This was not