"Nadine," she answers, pulling away from the woman's touch.
((I have returned!))
Stockholm Romance
(Yay!! Sorry for the wait!)
Estelle grabbed the woman by her jaw and pulled her face closer.
« Pretty. »
She gently let go and pulled back, standing up and towering above the woman on the ground.
« Who do you work for? » she demanded.
"I work for a newspaper," Nadine hesitantly answers.
Estelle narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue. « Elaborate. »
Nadine eyes the woman for a bit before answering. "I'm an advice columnist." I should answer or she might hurt me, she thought, her eyes returning to the door hidden in the shadows.
Estelle clasped her hands together behind her back. « Do you want me to list off the questions? Be warned that questions come with a blade. »
She stared down at the woman, her expression turning from annoyed to completely blank.
Nadine sat silent, curled up in a corner on the mattress, whimpering. Why me? she wondered. What possible use could an advice columnist be of to her?
Estelle bit her lip and shook a strand out of face.
"Jesus christ," she whispered to herself. She hoisted herself up and walked right up to the woman, sitting cross-legged in front of her. She snapped her fingers.
"Just listen to me. What newspaper do you work for? How long have you worked there? Who is your boss? How much do you earn?" she listed, quietly and not unkindly.
(I've been preoccupied; have friends visiting from out of state.)
(That’s okay, take your time)
Nadine looks up at the woman. "I've worked for the Midford Gazette for two years under the leadership of Marci Black. My salary is $52,810."
“Marci Black,” Estelle murmured. “Are you close to her? Would she recognise your face?” she asked equally quietly.
"W-why are you doing this? Wh-what do you want from me?" Nadine stammered.
Estelle clicked her tongue and turned her back on Nadine. “Not you. I’m after the money Marci will provide me in exchange for your safety.”