Page 15 of The Business Trip

I wasn’t used to going to the GM’s office. That was largely Steph’s duty, and she reported back to me anything critical. I felt a little nervous walking up there but also felt that he would definitely want this info, perhaps for more reasons than one. If she was looking for a new job, it was not my duty to protect that info. She hadn’t asked me to either. But itwasmy duty to let him know that his news director was unexpectedly out.

Dave’s office had a huge bank of windows overlooking a sloping drive that led to the parking lot. He was seated in a leather office chair looking through some papers when I reached his doorway. He didn’t turn his head but must have seen me out of his peripheral vision because he said:

“Bruce, come on in. What can I do for you?”

I ran my hand through my hair again and stepped forward.

“Hi, Dave, sorry to bother you.” I sat down across from him nervously. “I just… I just wanted to let you know that I got a text from Stephanie. It appears she’s planning to take the wholeweek off. Maybe you’re already aware, apologies if you are, but if not…”

Dave had a habit of stroking his mustache when he spoke and started doing so now.

“She’s out this week? She was just in San Diego last week. I did not know about this. Did she say why? Or where she is?”

“Well, sir, uh.” I hesitated. “Do you want to read the texts?” It seemed better than me trying to explain. He could decide for himself. I slid my phone across the wide dark oak desk. As he read, his bushy eyebrows went up.

“This is unlike Stephanie. I have never known her to leave the newsroom without a lot of advance notice. Let me try to reach her. She always answers my calls.”

He opened a desk drawer and pulled out his own phone, pushing a single button and holding it to his ear. I could hear voicemail picking up. He looked annoyed.

“Stephanie, Dave Jenssen. Call me the minute you get this. I need to know what’s going on.”

He hung up and said, “I’m sure she’ll be getting right back to me. I’ll be in touch when I do talk to her, Bruce, and thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

Nodding, I walked back to the newsroom, confident that Dave would get the full story. She couldn’t lie to her boss.

The day went by as a news day does. The noon show needed attention, then lunch and the two o’clock afternoon meeting to get nightside crews going, then the four o’clock show and the rest of the evening shows were on tap. It was 4:30 and I was just looking over final scripts from reporters when Dave sent me a Teams message asking me to come back down to his office. Relief and curiosity flooded me. At least we would have some real answers.

“Bruce, Stephanie has not responded to me all day. I leftthree messages. I am extremely upset with her. If you hear from her again, even in the form of a text, let me know. And Bruce—let’s not get others involved right now. Keep this between us.”

“Will do, sir,” I said, the pit of anger suddenly resettling into my stomach, replacing the emotions that had been there just moments prior. How could she not respond to Dave?

As I walked back to the newsroom, a sudden thought hit me: Dave asked me not to say anything to anyone, but I had already told Nora. Now I would have to make sure she kept it quiet. Butterflies flew into my stomach.

Then a different thought came to mind.

What if Steph got fired and I was promoted? It was something I had wanted for a long time, never thinking it was possible at this station. As much as I liked Steph and enjoyed working for her, if she dug her own career grave, that was on her. The thought of more money for the big chair made my eyes glisten. I didn’t know what Steph made, but it had to be at least $20K more than me. Oh, that would help with two growing kids and looming college tuitions. I would have to keep in Dave’s good graces, just in case.

Back in the newsroom, Nora was talking with a producer. I made eye contact and motioned her to the back conference room.

“Do you have any news about Steph?” she hissed.

“No,” I replied. “But I’m going to have to ask you not to say anything to anyone about this. Keep it between us. Until we find out what’s going on, it’s best that we not gossip about anything.”

Her face blanched, and her eyes shot to the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” she stammered. “A few people asked me if Ihad heard anything and I told them about her texts… I didn’t know it was a secret.”

Damn it.I cursed at myself for telling her in the first place.

“If it’s any help,” she went on, barely lifting her eyes to look at me, “I know Lucy texted Steph and Steph texted back.”

CHAPTER 13Dave

The Monday After the Flight

“What thehellis going on?” I said aloud to an empty room as I packed my briefcase and clicked the metal tabs before heading home.

Alone in my office, the newsroom down a long hallway, no one could hear me, but I was so pissed I couldn’t help but talk to myself. I was the general manager, and my news director had gone rogue and wasn’t answering my calls. And this was Stephanie! The woman I had worked with for ten years! How could she treat me like this?

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