Page 112 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“Should I bring Tasha too?”I ask.
“I knew I liked you,” Twyla says.“I like the way you want to share the credit.Yes, please do.”A voice murmurs in the background.“I have to go, but my staff will be in touch.And have fun tellingThe Intelligencerthat you’re interviewing with me.We’ll be sure to highlight that it was their story first.But that should make them think twice about keeping you on probationary status.”
I wish Felicity were here, but she retired the week after I was put on probation.She said she disagreed with the decision, and she’d been planning to retire anyway because of her health, but it was so much more satisfying to do so in protest of the probation decision.She only regretted that it left me with Hayden.She recommended I take a vacation until this blows over, but I refuse to waste my time off on this.
I ask the general counsel for permission, as per the paper’s policy on communications with the press, and he emails me back an enthusiastic yes.Tasha also responds to my text that she would love to be on the morning show with me—she can’t believe she will get to meet Twyla Jackson!
Hayden’s office is down the hall.I knock on his door, and he beckons me to enter but then proceeds to make me wait as he says he has to finish typing this email—and apparently another email.
“Yes?”he asks.
“Twyla Jackson invited me on her morning show tomorrow to discuss my investigation, so I’ll be out tomorrow.”
“Twyla Jackson?Spill the Tea with Twyla?”
Twyla was right that it does feel good to see him look shocked.But then his eyes light up, and he gives me an assignment, due tomorrow.Something that would take me all night to research.
“I’m not going to be able to do that story,” I say.
“You’re not?”he asks.
The door opens, and Shane walks in.“Congratulations on the Twyla Jackson interview.She chewed me out about the probation, and she’s right.You’re off probation.You should go home so you’re ready for tomorrow.Hayden, you must be thrilled at the publicity.”
“Thrilled,” I repeat.
“Thrilled,” Hayden says with a grimace.
I pack my laptop back into my carryall bag, but as I exit the office through our revolving doors, I run into Pommer.
“Thank you for your in-depth reporting,” he says, stopping me in the street.“I’m sorry I ever doubted your skills.Galliano and I could not figure it all out.We knew there was some connection to the library from Ward’s miniature posts, and we finally tracked down Demoraux, who told us he’d met with you, but we couldn’t get him to reveal anything about Ward.”
“What was in the envelope you gave Demoraux?”
“A written proposal that if he came clean about Ward’s activities, we’d work with any prosecutor to seek a reduced sentence,” Pommer says.“But he was very certain that he could disappear.Talked about his ability to live off the grid when we first met.I guess he made some enemies in that small town that he went to, and that’s why they reported him to the police.”
Demoraux had been arrested late last night, but I hadn’t had a chance to dig into the details yet.
He shakes my hand.“Thanks again.And thank you for those articles on the new playground design.We’re hoping that will help with additional funding.”
“I hope so.”My chest feels a bit lighter.My articles are making a difference.
As I let myself into my apartment, Sherlock winds himself about my legs as if I’ve been gone for days.My phone beeps, but I’m too tired to look at it.I know it’s not a story for me.I should go to sleep early because I have to wake up at four a.m.to be on the show with Twyla Jackson.If itisHayden giving me an assignment for another day, he can forget it.
My phone rings.The only one who calls me is my mom, so I pick it up.
“Is this Madeline Hughes?”a deep male voice asks.
“Yes,” I say hesitantly.What crazy person has gotten ahold of my number now?
“This is Tristan Saunder fromThe Carrier Pigeon.”
The managing editor ofThe Carrier Pigeon?Nick’s friend?
“I’d like to offer you a job atThe Carrier Pigeon.As you may know, we’ve been a finance-focused paper with a Washington bureau focused on political decisions at the federal level, but we’re expanding our market in New York and planning to take onThe IntelligencerandThe Squirrel.Given the story you broke, you’re the type of reporter we need.”
Exactly.And then my imposter syndrome kicks in.
“Did Nick put you up to this?”I ask.
