Page 59 of Baby Take Me Home
“And I’m telling you.” She leaned forward in her chair. “It’s a labor of love, and it shows. It’s solid reporting and smart writing.”
That was the kind of praise writers live for, especially when coming from an editor, but whatever she wasn’t saying was unsettling to me. I reached behind me and pushed her office door closed. “Jayne, spill. What aren’t you telling me?”
She threaded her fingers together and propped them in front of her on her desk, then looked me in the eye. “I’m pulling Aiden’s name off the byline. He’ll get full credit as a contributor to the story, like the others here this weekend, and we’ll run a special memorial piece on Tuesday to tie into this. But the article and the byline belong to you.”
I shook my head the whole way through her speech. “Without Aiden, his research, and his idea to investigate the Carbonados in the first place, thereisno story.”
“I’ve seen the notes, his and yours. I know how nascent this story idea was when he died and how far it has come since then.” She leaned back in her chair. “This isn’t up for debate. If the story runs, it’s with your byline. And by the way, I’ve never had this argument with a reporter before. Take the win, Ashlee. And the nap.” She shooed at me. “Go on, go.”
I left her office in a daze. I wasn’t sure how I felt about claiming more of the credit for the story. Sleep might help me sort that out as well. But what I wanted more than rest right now was to hear TJ’s voice. I stopped outside the staff room and texted him.
All is ok. Call when you can.
When I looked up, Scott Magellan, one of my main detractors when I’d worked with Aiden, was heading in my direction. He was carrying two mugs of tea. He stopped in front of me and held one out to me.
I took it. “Is this a peace offering or a poisoning attempt?”
He smiled. It made him look younger, more like his 28 years than he normally looked. “Neither. It’s herbal tea that will help with that nap Jayne’s been harassing you to take.”
“Thanks, Magellan. Don’t plan any coups while I’m asleep, though.”
This time he laughed. “I like your sense of humor. In another life, we could have been friends.”
“But not this one?” I sipped the tea. It was warm, minty, and soothing.
“In this one, we’re doomed to be cutthroat competitors. However...” He sipped his tea, I assumed for dramatic effect because Magellan was never at a loss for words. “I do need to tell you two things. One, I was shocked and a little moved when Jayne told me you requested I be part of this. Aiden was my friend, too, and I’m glad to be part of telling the world what happened to him. Thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome, but you’re not here because you were Aiden’s friend. You’re here because you’re one of the best reporters on staff.” I smiled, unable to rest. “Maybe the second-best one in the building, now that Aiden’s gone. And if you ever tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it until the day I die.”
“So, what, does that make you number three?”
“I’m surprised you put me in the single digits.”
He stared down into his teacup. “Listen, Armand, it occurs to me that I might owe you an apology for doubting your abilities. The deep fake you pulled off for the past six months will become a thing of legend. And this story, the way you hunted down leads, gathered details and on-the-record interviews, laid out the storyline so clearly and logically, it’s a thing of beauty. And if you ever tell anyoneIsaidthat...”
“Understood.” I tapped my mug against his. “You might not have brought this as a peace offering, but I’m calling a truce, and not just for this weekend.”
He sighed. “Aiden would like that, wouldn’t he?” He tapped back against my mug. “Now get some sleep. By the time you wake up, I’ll have your sections rewritten.”
“Touch my section and you’ll lose your typing fingers, Magellan.”
“They’re all my typing fingers.”
I grinned. “I’m glad we understand each other. See, this truce is going to go swimmingly.”
We both smiled as we walked away from our exchange. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I answered on the first ring. I stepped into the staff room and closed the door behind me.
“Calling you back, as requested,” TJ’s smooth voice whispered in my ear.
I lay down on the sofa and pulled an afghan—courtesy of Jayne—over me. “Perfect timing,” I said. “I’m just lying down for a nap.”
“It’s about time. Do you need a bedtime story?”
I’d never heard that question sound dirtier. “I think I’d better pass if I hope to get any rest. Can I take a raincheck on that, though?”
“Absolutely. There’s one more thing before you go. In the interest of full disclosure, we’re going to increase the physical presence around your building tomorrow morning, before the FBI raids. The teams will stay in place until the article is published and you’re ready for me to take you home.”
“Hmm, I like the sound of that. But tomorrow will be a regular work day. The weekend skeleton crew working on the sixth floor hasn’t been a problem, but dozens of employees will be coming in and out of the building in the morning.”