Read Online After All by Lynn Emery - Free Book Online Page A

ugly face at his
back.
    Looking back at Rexanne, she got a
thumbs-up sign of encouragement from her. Kate tried a brave smile.
Nathan was already seated in one of the fine leather chairs in
Jason's office. Michelle raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
Before he could speak, Jason began.
    “ It's been three weeks since
you started on the Housing Authority story yet you haven't had one
report on air. Problem?”Jason settled in his large executive chair
and crossed his arms.
    Nathan spoke before she could
respond.”Some pretty big names are being tossed around. Nobody is
going to rush forward to spill the beans. As I've explained to you
before, good investigative reporting takes time.”His voice
indicated his patience was being tested to the limit.
    “ What about the alleged
solid contacts she had from a previous story?”Jason spoke to
Nathan, but looked at Michelle.
    “ She can't go on the air
without information that's been thoroughly checked out. Even then,
Taylor and his legal minions will have to put it under their
microscopes first,” Nathan said.
    “ Since you're talking about
me, and I'm so conveniently in the room, why don't I just speak for
myself thank you very much.” Michelle's voice rose with each
sentence. She looked pointedly at Jason.” It so happens I have a
source inside the Authority who is going to make copies of some
very interesting documents over the next few weeks. Since this
person needs his, or her, job this has to be done slowly and
carefully. Furthermore, I was working on a series of preliminary
stories about conditions in public housing; that is until you
interrupted me just now.”
    “ Wait a minute.” Jason held
up a hand. “That's nothing but a rehash of the piece you did last
year. I don't think so. Nathan, give her something else to work on.
Maybe Jennifer can get an interview since she knows the director.”
Jason picked up his phone and punched her extension.
    “ When I spoke to Mr. Mansur
this afternoon, he thought it was a great idea.” Actually, Gerald
Mansur had said it had merit and he was willing to review
it.
    “ What?” Jason held the phone
ignoring the voice at the other end.
    “ He said he was looking
forward my report.”
    “ How dare you go directly to
Mr. Mansur!” Jason's face was flushed as he clutched the
phone.
    Jason never failed to remind the
reporters that as Lockport’s assistant, he funneled ideas for news
stories and features to him for consideration. It was not practice
to skip the chain and go to the News Director. Skipping Lockport
meant skipping Jason. And Jason liked control.
    “ He passed me in the hall
and asked how it was going. He is the news director; he can ask
those things, Jason.” Michelle grinned at him.
    “ Then that's that. I agree
with him, by the way. I've got a lot of work, Jason. See ya.”
Nathan gave Michelle a pat on the shoulder as he sauntered
out.
    “ Me, too,” Michelle said to
no one in particular. “I have to set up some interviews, schedule
one of the guys to meet me at the Mason Housing Project to shoot
some video; I tell you, it never stops.”She followed Nathan out
without looking back.
     
    ***
     
    Michelle left work but had a mission to
perform. She rehearsed her speech for the entire drive to see her
older brother. She parked in front of the modern single story suite
of offices. Brian’s grey Mercedes Benz was in his reserved space.
Typical of him, he was working later than his employees. He
exchanged the usual greeting and inquiries into her health in a
perfunctory manner.
    “ What do you want from me,
Michelle?” Brian, impatient to continue work, shuffled papers on
his desk
    “ Daddy listens to you. Tell
him to give Dominic a job. Mama is beside herself. You know how she
gets, especially when it comes to Dominic.” Michelle began to chew
a fingernail, and then caught herself when she realized what she
was doing.
    “ Sure, Dominic could be
standing over a dead body with a dagger dripping blood,