Page 32 of Rescuing Sara

“This is Charles Godwin, attorney at law for Edward Turner,” Stanley introduced, gesturing at the shorter man standing beside Turner. “Mr. Godwin, this is, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, Danielle Blake, one ofExcelsior’sreporters.”

“Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” Godwin began smoothly. “My client, Edward Turner, considers your article about his granddaughter Sara to be insulting, inflammatory, derogatory and highly damaging to his character and career.”

“Gee, and here I thought it was a nice article, Patrick said. “Are you mad because she didn’t mention you, Turner?”

“I was very careful in my article not to mention you by name for a reason, Ed,” Danni said, sounding as if she was choosing her words with great care. “I wanted to give Sara a human face, let others know what she’s like. I simply wanted to remind people not to forget her and keep looking for her. That’s all.”

“That so-called article has everyone at my workplace talking about Sara and me!” Turner’s voice was nearly a whine. “They all know she’s my granddaughter. I have a status in this community and your articles–”

“Shut-up, Ed,” Godwin interrupted. “Duncan, we go way back, you and I. You tell Ms. Blake there will be no more articles that mention Sara Turner or pleas for information about her whereabouts or we will, simply put, sue you andExcelsiorfor defamation of character.”

“Gee, do you have a character, Turner?” Patrick’s temper simmered just under the boiling point. The man’s arrogance was revolting. “Sounds to me like you’re more worried about your precious reputation than finding your granddaughter.”

“We’re done here,” Godwin announced. “Duncan, do we understand each other?”

“We do,” Friedman said, shooting Stanley a vicious look. “There will be no more articles mentioning Sara Turner from this paper. I promise you that.”

“Good.” Godwin gave a brief nod. “Let’s go, Ed.”

They were almost to the door, when Danni called after them. “Have your investigators found any trace of Sara, Ed? I hope you’re not spending too much of that six-figure salary you’re always boasting about on them because from what I can see, they’ve come up with squat. But of course, with you, it’s always about the money, isn’t it?”

“You little bitch!” Features contorted, Turner lurched forward, but Godwin grabbed him by the arm and jerked him back.

“Enough, Ed,” he ordered. “We’ve delivered our message so let’s be on our way. I’m due in court this afternoon. Duncan, remember what I’ve said.”

Still holding Turner, Godwin dragged him to the still-open door, and they left.

Friedman’s glance was still hostile as he directed it back to Patrick. “Who the hell did you say you were?”

“I’m Ms. Blake’s bodyguard from the Brotherhood Protectors.” Patrick said, savored a pause before adding, “the oneExcelsioris paying for. Sir.”

“Stanley, I expect you to take care of this,” Friedman snapped. “And as for you, Ms. Blake.”

“Yes?” Danni’s perfectly straight posture would have made the sentries guarding a soldier’s tomb proud. If they weren’t standing in front of her employers, Patrick might have kissed her.

And maybe he should.

“No more articles about Sara Turner, trafficking or missing kids,” Friedman ordered. “Stick to your court reporting or recipes or vacation spots. Do you understand me?”

“Yes.” She obviously was not going to address him as “sir.” Friedman continued to stare at her as if he were expecting her to give him the courtesy. When she didn’t, he stomped off, slamming the door after him.

“Sorry, Danni,” Stanley sighed. “I asked you to write that article for Marcy. I didn’t think it would start a firestorm.”

“It’s ok, Stanley,” and Patrick could hear her affection for the man. “I was glad to write it. What do you want me to do?”

“Take the weekend off and get some rest,” Stanley said, “But I will tell you this. One of our switchboard operators told me the phones are off the hook with people calling in their positive response to your article about Sara.”

“They are?” A ‘most becoming blush’ as Patrick’s father would have called it, spread over Danni’s face.

“Yep,” and a broad grin lit up Stanley’s tired features. “I’m going to set up a special number for folks to call if they should find out something about Sara and pass it on to the police. No way in hell Friedman can object to us helping the police, or Turner for that matter.”

She went to enfold her boss in her arms. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you.”

“Marcy loved your article,” Stanley said, stepping back. “She said, ‘Someone is bound to come forward.’ Now. Patrick, take her to lunch or something. I have a paper to get out and I gotta get everyone out of the cafeteria where Friedman sent them. Guess he was worried they’d gossip if they saw him.”

“Glad to,” Patrick said. “Come, Nellie Bly. Let’s go have lunch.”

But in the work area, she said, “Wait a minute. I want to check my work e-mail while I’m here.”

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