Page 5 of Hers to Hold
And working for Barry Yates would improve her chances of landing a major, national-level gig.
“Yes, sir. You can count on me.”
“Your resume was impressive and your interview even more so. I hired you because I have absolute faith you’ll get me the results I know are out there.”
Sure. Not unbiased at all. Completely objective.
“I know Ms. Kaye is the darling of Springfield after that Cinderella story, but that doesn’t mean she’s not capable of becoming an ice queen.”
Ice queen. A woman living out her bitterness by tormenting those around her. Everyone had to love her. Kady hadn’t met Katrina Kaye, but after one day of interacting with her staff, she wasn’t sure she believed ‘ice queen’ was an accurate characterization.
Yates continued. “When people get money and fame overnight, it goes to their heads. Some people become lunatics, and others give into their baser primal need of greed.”
“You think it’s greed that’s motivating Ms. Kaye and her husband?”
“I think it’s a mutual arrangement. Her earning a television spot put her on the map. He was already successful, but no doubt his business has grown because of the media attention on his wife. Now that he’s running for Congress, money will be thrown at him and some of it can find its way to his wife.”
Kady squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. Her editor’s scenario wasn’t outside the realm of possibility. In fact, many people in government were corrupt. But…
Kady’s first mentor told her to always trust her gut with a story. That internal compass with almost mythical-level intuition would guide her to make the right decisions, with good preparation and investigation, of course.
It’s just my first day. I don’t know anything yet. He’s the one with the source network.Sources were groomed and trained and tested until they could be trusted. Yates’s experience far outweighed hers.
“It was my first day, sir. She was supposed to be at the shop, but wasn’t. I did well today and fit right in. I’m sure I’ll be meeting her very soon.”
“Get her schedule. Know her movements so you can anticipate your actions.”
“Yes, sir. In fact, I might meet her husband before her.”
Yates arched a brow. “Really? How’d you manage that?”
She couldn’t exactly take credit for the situation since it wasn’t at all planned. “I managed to screw up an order for one of his workers. A man named Wes Solo. He’s a lead at the Callaghan’s newest construction site. He comes in every other day, and I plan on making a special delivery tomorrow, as both a surprise and an apology.”
Yates’s eyes narrowed on her. For a second, Kady thought she’d said or did something wrong until he said, “How’s he look?”
Kady blinked. “Excuse me?”
“You’re making a special delivery. How’s he look? What’s the term you millennials use these days? Is he hot?”
Kady willed her cheeks to remain cool, although she was sweating from the armpits down. “He’s… I really didn’t get a good look. Something happened and it wasn’t a long enough encounter—”
Yates barked his laughter. “Okay, princess. If you’re going to make it in this field, you’ve got to learn how to be a better liar, for goodness sakes. The man sounds like you’d like to eat him as much as those cupcakes.”
“I never said—”
“Exactly.” He pointed a finger at her. “It’s what you didn’t say that was loud and clear. I hope you’re not telegraphing that you’re working undercover to every person you meet.”
She bristled at the implication that she was a complete novice, which she was. But she didn’t land this job because she was utterly clueless. In fact, she’d told an outright lie to Yates about working undercover in a previous assignment.
Wasn’t telegraphing anything then.
“No, sir. Everyone believes I’m there to get a job.”
“Good. Keep practicing your cover story so it comes out smoothly. Although I’m having second thoughts about your assignment at the bakery. Remind me why you’re not working at Drew’s company. He’s always hiring. Were there not any internships available?”
Kady had her reasons for having pitched to work at Kaye’s bakery—and it had everything to do with the Kaye sisters. But she couldn’t tell her boss about this side project. Was she skirting the line ethically? Maybe. But she had long justified her actions to herself.
Her boss watched her with curiosity and Kady kept her expression neutral. She still had to prove herself and a show of confidence never lost her any points.
