Page 29 of Hers to Hold
“I don’t know yet, but I think we’re close.”
Close enough to save her relationship with Wes and Chastity.
She hoped…
Chapter 13
“All I can tell you, is that Drew’s got about a dozen contractors who all have dozens of subs working for them,” Jimmy said with a sigh as his hand got stuck in his shaggy hair. He made a face and yanked it out. “If there’s an issue with any of them, it’ll take forever to track it down.”
Kady popped a piece of breaded chicken into her mouth. She read over her notes while using chopsticks to fish another piece of chicken out of the to-go box. If she was thinking ahead of time, she could’ve ducked out of their Monday-morning staff meeting early and gotten her and Jimmy sandwiches from Kat’s shop. They were stuck working through lunch, the Chinese take-out restaurant on the first floor serving as their quick go-to spot.
“Start with the violations,” she said around the semi-tough meat. “Wes said they were having issues. It’s probably performance related.”
“Maybe, or it could be something entirely different.”
“True. But since we don’t knowexactlywhat it is, we can start there.”
Her desk was littered with copies of construction proposals, zoning plans, and articles relating to donors of Drew’s campaign. So far, she couldn’t determine a link between his campaign and business growth. His company hadn’t experienced any sudden surge in growth since he had announced his campaign. If anything, he’d taken onlessbusiness in the last six months.
“Who started this rumor start anyway?” Jimmy asked.
“Anonymous tip.”
“This could be nothing!”
Or a smear campaign. “I understand your frustration, Jimmy, but look at the climate we’re in. Shady campaign practices are a hot-button issue. The public has a right to know if their money is being used properly.”
“I agree, it’s just…I’d like more to go on.”
Kady smiled and winked. “That’s why we’re investigative reporters.”
“I’m still an intern.”
“You’ll get there. We all gotta pay our dues.”
Jimmy grunted. Kady swallowed a laugh with some white rice and stir-fried veggies. She remembered being an intern—and it wasnotfun. The male interns seemed to get more experience while she and other female interns were running around refilling coffee cups forboththeir male and female bosses. Kady fought hard to earn her place among reporters and was still fighting for respect today. A never-ending battle.
The organization didn’t have any unassigned female interns, so she took on Jimmy. He seemed eager, jumping at the opportunity to be involved in investigative reporting. He minored in criminal justice, which would give him a leg up if he ever wanted to be a legal reporter. For now, he was content with being rescued from his coffee runs.
“You think there’s an angle here? With the contractors?” Jimmy asked.
“Didn’t you ask that already?”
“Just wondering if this is the direction we should go in.”
“Why? You have some insider information I don’t know about?”
“I think you like this Wes guy and…and…”
Kady’s eyes snapped up. Jimmy swallowed. “And?”
“And maybe you’re letting what he says influence our investigation.”
“Oh, so now it’sourinvestigation?” Kady stabbed her chopsticks into the rice box.
“You know what I mean.”
“Enlighten me.”
