Page 97 of Playing With Fire

She studied his face, smiling at the mix of righteous anger and journalistic glee at the scent of a big story. That had been her not so long ago, and there was nothing like that buzz of adrenaline, the thrill of the chase, the scent of glory.

“You’re right Dougie.” Jodi’s voice was firm. “We can’t allow the press to be silenced, but we have to go about it without getting sued or getting carried away with our own virtue. We’re journalists not activists.”

He thought about that for a minute and nodded. They spent the next half hour discussing how the story could be shaped without bringing down disaster. By the time they’d finished, Dougie’s face was alight with zeal.

“So, I’ll put together the outline of a strategy. Including a risk analysis.”

“Correct,” said Jodi with a smile. “Run it past the board. They don’t like this any more than we do, so make your best case.”

She began gathering up her things. The need to be outside, to feel the fresh air in her lungs and to be moving—somewhere, anywhere, was almost a compulsion.

“Umm...you’re coming back, Jodi, right? Only I’ll have it done this afternoon so you can have a look...”

Jodi picked up her bag. Calm washed through her as she looked around the familiar office. The scene of frantic deadlines, arguments, ideas that zinged off the walls, laughter, and a whole heap of red pens run dry.

“No Dougie. I’m not coming back.”

Exhilaration, or was it hysteria, bubbled up inside her. Throwing her natural caution to the wind was scary.

“The board has appointed a new editor. I’ve been invited to stay on as marketing and social media manager. I’ve decided to graciously decline. And I know you can keep the ship steady until the new editor arrives.”

Dougie closed his open mouth with an audible snap.

“But—” he started. “That is...I mean, who’s the new editor? I was kinda hoping that you would take the job.”

“The new person is perfect,” said Jodi reassuringly. “I never wanted to be editor.”

She watched a group of women exit the clothing store across the street, glance across at the newspaper office, and head into Bean & Co. The grapevine was already at work.

“It’s Frank Perrot, my sister’s ex, and May’s son. He’s turning his back on the Big Apple for smalltown America. And he has plenty of media experience. The only questionable thing Frank’s ever done was marry my sister. And he may live to regret coming back to Temple Mountain, but that, Dougie, is not our problem.”

Jodi smiled at the slightly censorious expression on Dougie’s face.

“Don’t worry, Frank will be a demon editor. Leroy Browning and the Town Council won’t know what hit them. And you’ll do fine, because you have the makings of a great journalist who cares about the truth.”

“Thanks,” said Dougie uncertainly. Jodi could see the dawning excitement in his eyes. “I guess that’s all good then.”

She pushed open the door.

“But wait, Jodi. What are you going to do?”

“Me?” Her eyes danced. “Well, I figure it’s my turn to leave town.”

***

The former Acting Editor stepped outside into a stiff but mild breeze. She pulled out her hair tie and felt the long locks blow free around her face.

She pulled out her phone and saw that Hattie had already replied to her text.

Ricky’s in the baby room with Jaime. Silas has taken the twins for a long hike & I was desperate for a babysitter so I can finish the sermon. And Alma & her mom have started the next stage of family therapy. Usual chaos.

Jodi smiled. So far, the twins seemed to have settled back into the Beecham family, though she suspected that it would take a while for everyone in the family to heal.

She walked briskly down the main street and turned into the side street. The church and the rectory came into view.

The church doors were open, of course, and Jodi inhaled the familiar smell of furniture polish and damp coats and musty corners. Her feet echoed on the wooden floor as she passed through the sanctuary to the small space just off the vestry known fondly as the baby room.

And what are you expecting from this little heart-to-heart? You sent Ricky Sharp away, quite rightly too. Totally unreliable. He hid the truth.

---