The Father of Her Son - By Kathleen Pickering Page 0,54
of good reporting.”
“You’re too wrapped up with Kelly to do your job.”
“Maybe I am involved with Kelly, but I’m still doing my job. In this particular instance the personal welfare of these two individuals is more important than reporting a half-baked story. Given the direction we’re going, this will turn into a witch hunt destroying that small family while Campbell comes up smelling like a rose. Nothing is further from the truth.”
“What is the truth? Why aren’t you reporting it?”
What could he say to that? Evan had promised Kelly he would not reveal the rape. He needed Steve to blindly back him on this one. He raised a hand. “Remember when I had a lead on the human trafficking ring in Russia? I needed time to get the locals to give me their stories. We earned an Emmy on that one. What’s so different now? If you give me a few more days I will have a story that will not only put this station on the map for investigative reporting but distinguish us as a force that sways the direction of justice.”
Thank goodness Steve remained silent long enough to consider Evan’s words.
Evan pointed at Dean. “He’s not helping the situation as a loose cannon.”
Dean puffed his chest in defense. “Hey, I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t do if the tables were turned.”
Steve shook his head. “Evan, the difference between Russia and Campbell is timing. This story is too hot to keep quiet, not to mention that this station doesn’t support Campbell’s political party. I’m being pressured. We don’t have the luxury of a few days. I’m scheduling an interview with Dean and Campbell for tomorrow’s news.”
His friend could have gut-punched him and not made as much impact as speaking those words. For almost a decade, Evan had worked side by side with Steve to achieve the positions they now held. Each understood what the other personally sacrificed to reach their goals. Now, his boss and the man he thought of as a friend was tossing him over for a story. When did Steve derail from what was important?
“You would cut me out like that?”
Steve had the good grace to look contrite. “Evan, this is business. I know you understand.”
“Oh, I understand, Steve. I also understand that this is my story and your interview with Campbell is not going to happen.”
“Oh? Why not?”
Steve had a strange look of satisfaction in his eyes that made Evan angry. Was his friend manipulating him to get results? Something inside twisted at the thought that their long-forged trust was suddenly becoming an issue between them.
“Because I just made a deal with Campbell that he can’t afford to ignore. I can guarantee you that Campbell will hold off on his interview with you until he hears from me.”
Evan backed out of the office and headed back to his own, struggling to grasp his next moves through the blaze of anger searing his mind. Had the investigative reporting world gone crazy? He didn’t even want to consider how Kelly would feel when she learned how she’d been betrayed. He already knew she’d be furious about this morning’s show. Now with this DNA evidence hanging over their heads, her back would be against the wall. She’d have to make some pretty hard decisions—and fast. Evan had no illusions. He would end up being ground zero when the bomb dropped.
He punched a number on his cell phone. When Michael Sullivan answered, Evan felt the pressure in his chest release enough to form his next thought.
“Top of the morning to you, Father. We have ourselves a situation. Are you free for lunch?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
KELLY FELT NUMB as she flagged down a taxi during evening rush hour. When a cab finally stopped she jumped in, grateful to escape the few reporters who flanked her with questions she waved away like annoying, buzzing flies. Now she focused on her destination. Michael had asked her to meet him at Tavern on the Green before she headed to Evan’s to collect Matt. When she’d explained her distress, he listened with the familiar calmness she knew so well, but something was clearly on his mind. The simple fact that he was in Manhattan had her on alert. If he had good news he would have told her over the phone. She didn’t think she could handle too much more bad news after the chaos from Evan’s morning show.
The hostess led her to the table where Michael sat looking out over Central Park. Dressed in his