diner just one more day. “Hmm. Sounds great, but I’m putting the finishing touches on Monday’s show. I’m not coming in tomorrow.”
Steve raised an eyebrow. “Now, that’s a first.”
Evan met his friend’s concerned gaze. Steve came across as wily and distant like a silver fox, but Evan knew better. While Steve was Evan’s boss, the men had built a solid friendship during Evan’s time abroad. Steve had been an anchor at home, helping with story strategies and getting Evan the support he needed from the network while Evan roamed the continent on behalf of NCTV.
Beneath that austere exterior, Steve had a sense of humor and the heart of a family man. He still loved his wife of thirty-five years, boasted about his three grown kids and was waiting on the birth of his first grandchild.
“What’s the look for, Steve?”
“Only a woman could keep you from your desk tomorrow.”
Evan grinned. “Well, it is. And, she’s in Neverland and I don’t want to show up and give her a chance to back out.”
Steve slapped the door frame. “Well, I’ll be damned. So you groveled and she said yes.”
“You betchya, and proud of it.”
“Okay, then, how about lunch at Tao?”
Evan powered down his computer, leaving it in lock mode. He didn’t like to admit he couldn’t trust colleagues not to rifle through his files, but when it came to the ambitions of Dean Porter, anything could happen. He looked at his friend and decided, once again, against airing his concerns. Steve looked relaxed today. NCTV was running smoothly and up for an Emmy. No reason to throw darts at a balloon.
“On second thought, let’s go to Neverland. Tao is uptown and I don’t have much time. Kelly won’t dare mess with our plans with you at the counter.”
Steve chuckled. “That’s my man. I’d hate to miss Jake’s good cooking.”
* * *
THERE WERE ALWAYS new customers in Neverland. That was what made Manhattan so exciting. But Kelly didn’t like the way this particular man watched her while he ate Jake’s special corned beef sandwich.
Not that he looked dangerous. Gray suit, navy tie, blue button-down shirt. Well groomed, indeed, but there was something predatory in his smile, which he flashed every time she glanced his way. Better to get it over with and confront the man. She preferred handling clowns like this head-on, rather than finding them lurking around later.
She pointed to his empty glass. “Would you like another New Castle?”
“Sure.” He pushed his glass forward as she pulled another beer from the icebox.
She poured. “Everything fine with your meal?”
“Everything, except a few answers.”
She frowned, fully expecting a come-on. “What questions?”
He pulled a business card from his pocket. “I’m Jay Doyle. I report for the New York Sentinel.”
The gossip rag of the city. Good Lord, had someone spoken badly of Neverland? She offered him her most winning smile. “Lovely. What can I do for you?”
“Well, it’s a long story, but I was chatting with a former administrative assistant to the senate’s newest presidential candidate and your name came up.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Well, here we go. The devil himself was sitting at her counter with a smile thinking he’d lay a snare. Wouldn’t happen on her watch.
Her body relaxed into war mode. “And who, pray tell, would that senator be?”
Doyle pointed to the TV screen above the counter. “Buzz Campbell. I’m sure you heard him throw his hat into the ring during Evan McKenna’s show on Monday.”
She frowned. “Missed the show, but heard the news. Are you taking a poll or something?”
He was watching her like a hawk. “Of sorts.”
She’d handled morons like him before. She just didn’t have to bite his bait. “Mr. Doyle, I don’t understand.”
Doyle laid a hand on the counter, palm down as if planting a root into her world. The action repulsed her. She didn’t like this man, at all.
“Well, Ms. Sullivan, it seems this ex-assistant has an ax to grind. Something about sexual harassment.”
Years of practice kept the jolt to her gut from showing on her face. “That’s unfortunate. I can promise you I do not sexually harass my employees.”
He chuckled. “No, but when chatting, this assistant mentioned that the senator had a nanny that abruptly left his employ.”
Okay. So he knew. She’d clean up this mess fast. No more dodging questions.
She shared a conspiratorial glance with him. “And, you learned that I was that nanny.”
He seemed surprised by her honesty. “Well, yes.”
She shook her head as if to say she’d never understand busybodies. She added an extra