“I’ve got testimony from three clients and an assistant who doesn’t want to be named. The vet is stalling with the records.”
John looked down for a moment, gripping the podium. “Who’s in charge of the office there?”
“An older lady.” George consulted his notes. “Her name is Jeannie Grey.”
“Okay, I’ll get someone from animal services to lean on her. Don’t even bother with the vet. He’s just trying to cover his ass.”
The meeting continued, with John asking for specifics about various stories, recognizing those getting the job done, and berating those dragging their feet.
“Finally, Celia,” John said, grinning. “You’re last because you’ve got some big stuff going. How’s the case with the CEO going? Subpoenas, dates, what you got?”
“Right now they’re deposing people, lots of people. I expect more lawsuits. Of course, their lawyers are trying to stay tight-lipped, but I'm pushing. I won’t stop.”
“I know you won’t. You’re relentless. What about the state legislation piece? You and Julia on track?” Celia looked across the room at Julia and nodded, and Julia gave her a thumbs up. “Good.” John looked around and then leaned forward a bit. “And what else have you got for us?”
“That pretty much covers it,” Celia replied.
John walked around in front of the podium and folded his arms. “You sure? Nothing else you want to share with us?”
Celia looked at John and raised an eyebrow. “I’m absolutely sure, John. There is nothing else to share in this meeting.”
After holding Celia’s stare for several seconds, John smiled and leaned back against the podium. “Okay, then, folks. Get your asses back to work.”
Celia walked back to her office, and she was about to close her door when John placed his hand on the panel. “Can we chat for a minute or two?”
“Sure,” Celia nodded. She sat at her desk and offered John the chair in front of her, but he remained standing.
“So you don’t even want to let the rest of the staff in on the big story?”
“I’d prefer it was just between you and me for now. Just to make sure nothing leaks.”
John shook his head. “So, you trust the underpaid prison guards to keep their lips sealed but not your own colleagues?”
“I can’t control what happens at the prison. I have no choice but to let them do what they will. However, I can control who knows what outside the prison. It’s not a matter of trust.”
“How about this—you give me a preliminary write-up, and I’ll sit on it.”
Celia leaned forward. “John, why does this bother you so much? You’ve never asked for anything like that. This isn’t the first hush-hush story we’ve done.”
“Everything about this bothers me. Why did she pick you? Why all the secrecy? Why is she even telling a story now, when she’s set to be executed? This is a woman who lived in the limelight her whole life, and I just have to wonder what her angle is.”
“She performed in the limelight,” Celia corrected. “She did everything a celebrity can do and then some to live as far from the limelight as she could. As for why she sought me out, I have no idea. I’m not a bleeding heart emotional, bent on overturning her sentence. Hell, I was practically the only stoic reporter after 9/11. I’m not worried about her angle. The story will be good for us.”
“Good for you, you mean.”
“And that’s another thing, John. When one of the people here succeeds, you succeed. The publication succeeds. When has that ever been a bad thing?”
John looked at Celia for so long, she wondered if he was having some sort of stroke. Finally, he placed his hands on her desk. “I just think you need to remember who is in charge here.”
“You can go now, John. This is ridiculous.” Celia wiggled her mouse to wake up the monitor and began typing. After a few seconds, John left her office, closing the door quietly behind him.
Less than a minute later, someone knocked. Celia looked up from her laptop, and Julia was standing in the doorway. “Got a minute?”
“Sure, have a seat.” Celia smiled. “Want some water?”
“I’d love one,” Julia answered. “What’s up John’s butt today? He didn’t look happy just now.”
“Oh, he’s having one of his phases,” Celia sighed, passing Julia a bottle.
“Ah, one of his ‘I’m the boss’ moments?”
“Exactly. He does it every time he doesn’t get his way.”
Julia laughed and sipped her water. “True. I think he’s still mad he didn’t grow to be six feet tall.”
“You’re terrible. I love it.” Celia laughed. “So what’s up?”
“I wondered if you’d hear anything about a bigger media company trying to buy us out.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything like that. What did you hear?”
“Well, you know how inept John is with technology sometimes. I had to help him the other day, and I happened to see part of an email from over his head.”
“What did it say?”
“I didn’t see much, and he was not happy at all when he realized I caught a glimpse. But it would explain why he’s been such an ass the past few weeks.”
“Well, you know,” Celia got up and closed the door. “We’re getting more and more attention. Omar and I aren’t the only ones getting called upon by the bigger pubs anymore. Not to be a jerk, but I think we’re outgrowing John’s ability to manage things.”
Julia sipped more water and placed the bottle on the desk. “You could be right. You know, I’ve been here ten years, and sometimes I’m still not sure how John landed the position he’s in. Not that he doesn’t get things done. But his controlling tendencies and his manner...”
“I know. He’s a bit like the manager of a mom-and-pop store who was thrust into running Walmart headquarters at times. And that’s
