Page 30 of Hers to Hold
His shoulders sagged. “I’m trying to be objective.”
“And I’m not?”
“As reporters, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves that all the time? Making sure we don’t bring our biases into the investigation?”
Because they could color judgment, tone, everything. Kady knew full well Jimmy was putting himself up as her accountability sounding board. Did she need one? “You’re right, Jimmy. We shouldn’t let our biases influence the investigation.”
Color began to seep into his face again. “Good. Yeah, I was just saying…”
“If there’s a chance information is out there to clear Drew, shouldn’t we follow up on that?”
“Sure. But where’s the—”
“Sometimes you gotta go with a hunch.”
“And all of this”—he scanned his adjoining desk, also covered with paper—“is a hunch?”
“Mm-hmm. Drew is having trouble with a contractor. Maybe because that contractor is having a hard time cleaning the money. Who knows? But it’s our job to figure it out.”
“Right.”
“And you’re okay with using Wes?”
Kady groaned. She wasn’t sure Jimmy would make it as a reporter. Maybe a purveyor of justice. A cop. Or even a prosecutor. But a reporter? “Sometimes we have to do things that…that aren’t…”
“Ethical?” Jimmy laughed. “Tough to get that out, huh?”
“Yes,” she spat. “I can say the word.”
He took a large bite of his spring roll and chewed. Loudly. “Sure you can. But I still think you should tell Wes.”
“You’re right. No problem.”
He arched a brow. “Really?”
Anything to get him to shut up and to make her heart stop shuddering. Her intern was right. Herintern. She knew it as well, but had been so involved in the story, feeling they were close to a breakthrough, that she struggled with stopping now. “Don’t you think if I continue, maybe it’ll prove Drew Callaghan isn’t a fraud?”
“Um, so you’re saying it’s okay to use people if it’s for their own good?”
“Parents fib to kids all the time when they’re scared or to keep them from guessing there’s no Santa Clause.”
“I’m thinking this is a little more serious than Jolly Ole Saint Nick.”
“True, but same principal. If I say anything now, Wes won’t trust me. I could lose access. Lost access equals lost job.”
“Equals I go back to running coffee for the boss.”
“You catch on quick, Jimmy.”
He groaned and ripped off another piece of spring roll.
“Hey, I agree with you,” she said in an encouraging tone. “But it’s okay as long as you don’t fall for the mark.”
“And you haven’t?”
“Nope. I’m completely in control.” She sent a quick text to Wes asking him if they could have dinner tonight.
Sure. My place? I’ll get Kat and Drew to babysit.
