Page 137 of Love on the Byline

Sonja’s jaw snapped tight with an audible click. It wasclear she wanted to say so much more, but she knew Blake was right. To saysomething would be an admission, or at least an acknowledgment that Bran’saccusation was towards her.

“You’re down to twelve minutes,” Sonja said through a tightjaw.

Blake let her gaze travel over the woman behind the desk. “Ifind it odd that, instead of wanting to follow up on his story—which could beone of the biggest scandal’s this town has seen—you’re firing the personresponsible for printing it.”

“I was wondering the same thing,” said a voice behind her.

Sonja’s eyes went wide. She shot to her feet just as Blaketurned to find Lowan Ferrell standing in the doorway.

“Lowan,” Sonja said, her voice not quite as buttery smoothas she was going for. “I didn’t know you were coming today. We’re just finishingup. If you—”

“I’d like an answer to the young woman’s question.”Farrell’s voice filled the room like treacle, slow and thick with a bitteredge.

The Editor-in-Chief of the Los Angeles Gazette closed hereyes and pressed her fingers against them as if fighting a migraine. When sheremained silent, Farrell turned his steely gaze on Blake.

She fought not to take a step back.

“Ms. Dillon, I had a word with your editor a moment ago. Hetells me you’re working on a story about a targeted effort to prey on thestudents of a local community center by some sort of scout?”

Blake blinked in surprised. “Uh, yes. I’ve been working onit in my spare time. Sir,” she added, belatedly.

Farrell frowned and turned to Sonja. “And you wouldn’t giveher the green light to pursue this for the paper?”

“Blake is our most junior correspondent,” she replied. Sheseemed to have recovered some of her poise. “I didn’t think it...appropriate toassign such an important story to a cub reporter.”

“I see,” said Farrell. “Who did you assign it to?”

Sonja frowned. “What?”

“You agree it’s an important story,” he said. “Who in thepool did you assign it to?”

“I...” She licked her lips. Swallowing, she said “No one,yet.”

Farrell nodded. Turning back to Blake, he offered a smallsmile. “Ms. Dillon, I want to congratulate you on such a thoughtful,provocative interview with Brandon Cody. It’s already been picked upnationally.”

“Th-thank you, Mr. Farrell.” She glanced at Sonja whosehands had balled into fists.

“I’m moving you off of the celebrity beat,” he continued.“You’ll work in our investigative division, and I’d like you to continue yourwork on the other story. My sister-in-law served on the board of directors atPlay L.A.—may she rest in peace. It holds a special place in our family.”

“I had no idea, Mr. Farrell,” she said, her head spinning.

“Lowan, you can’t be serious,” Sonja sputtered. “Blake isn’tready for—”

He turned to her. “Sonja, I think you have more importantthings to think about than whether my instincts about Ms. Dillon areunfounded.” Shifting towards her, he squared his shoulders.

Out in the main room, Blake heard a commotion and had tomove out of the way as a security guard stepped into the office.

“Please escort Ms. James off the premises,” Farrell said.

“Lowan!” Sonja said, breathless. “You can’t...I... Mythings...”

“We’ll be sure to pack everything safely and have themdelivered to you. And I’d advise you to retain counsel.” Farrell put a hand onBlake’s shoulder and guided her out of the room. They left a cursing,sputtering Sonja behind them.

In the main room, everyone looked as shell-shocked as Blakefelt. She realized they were headed to Gideon’s office.

When they arrived, Gid was standing by the window, bothhands on his head.

He turned when he heard them come in. “Mr. Farrell. Blake.”His eyes were saucers.

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