Page 29 of Desire
She was referring to my investigation of the sexualharassment allegations. Kylie went on to repeat Rachel’s concerns about the claims and how fast Jasper Christmas could make the accusations go away if he got wind of them.
“But you know he’s going to learn the allegations exist the moment I mention them to him.”
Kylie shook her hands in frustration. “Be the fucking reporter I know you to be, Holly. Gosh, you know what to do. You’rethe best at getting what you need without asking direct questions. Please bring that Holly to the table and not this subpar journalist.”
I rolled my eyes indifferently even though her statement cut me to the core. She was right. The mistake I’d made with the mystery woman earlier was not like me at all. I’d even left Nel’s house too quickly. I could’ve gotten her to admit the house acrossthe street was occupied by drug addicts. Deep down, I believed she knew more about the people who lived across the street than she was willing to admit. So yes, Kylie was right. I was better at my job than I had been in recent days.
“I’m sorry,” Kylie finally said.
I hadn’t realized I was gazing out the window with a faraway look in my eyes. I shook my head. “It’s okay.”
“Listen, I would have Rachel take you off this story, but you’re the only person who can keep us in front of it. But here’s what I want to know. Are you really able to blindside Jasper Christmas?”
I could see the desperation in her eyes. Kylie knew I was her only hope at nailing the Christmases. The moment the women filed a lawsuit against the company, Jasper would make sure it went away.The same would happen if the story leaked. Without his cooperation, no journalist on the planet would be able to confirm a source.
I looked at Kylie with focus because I didn’t want her to skirt the question I needed an answer to. “Why are you so insistent on taking down the Christmases? Surely this isn’t all about your ego.”
Kylie sat up straight and spread her fingers over herchest as though she were offended by what I had just said. “My ego?”
I nodded curtly. “Yes. Your ego.”
She watched me, blinking, as I waited for an answer. The seconds ticked by, and that was when I realized that across from me sat another story to investigate.
