Chapter 51

"I think I'd better step out," I said to Charles when Amy left the room. "I don't want to make her feel any worse than she actually does."

He nodded but looked at me with weary blue eyes. "I would prefer it if you stayed. Believe it or not, I don't enjoy crying females."

I smiled slightly and he smiled back, a quick moment of support for each other before I went out and into the conference room. I saw Jessica walk in but then take a detour and sit at her desk.

She looked down at the keyboard and refused to move. Amy was bending over her, talking softly, but Jessica looked like she isn't even hearing her.

I saw Charles poke his head out and scowl. I got up and shoke my head at him, walking toward Jessica.

"Hey," I crouched next to her at her desk, seeing her blank eyes focused on her keyboard. "What do you need right now?" I asked.

I heard Charles quietly walk up behind us. Amy stepped back and folded her arms in frustration.

"We aren't here to criticize you or your work. But we do need you to tell us what you want to do right now."

Jessica's eyes flickered at me for a moment, then back to her keyboard. "I want to go home," she said in a voice so quiet and little that it could have belonged to a little girl.

I nodded my head. "I'm sure that's okay."

I looked at Charles who rolled his eyes but then nodded when he saw my single eyebrow go up.

"Charles says it's no problem," I said. "Do you need a ride?"

She shook her head. "I have a bike."

"I'm a little worried about you on a bike right now," I said, smiling a little. "Can I call you an Uber or something?"

She nodded. I stood and pulled out my phone, pulling up the ride app and ordering her a car.

"Great," I said. "A white Nissan will pick you up out front in five minutes."

Jessica nodded, looked at me blankly, then grabbed her bag and headed to the elevator.

When she was gone Amy visibly deflated and Charles scowled.

"What is the deal?" he growled. "I don't accept drama like that in my employees."

"I'm sure she has a good reason," I said, and Amy nodded her head, then noticed Jessica's jacket still on the back of the chair. "I'll take it to her," she said wearily and headed to the elevator, the coat in hand.

Charles and I were alone in the office, the afternoon sun began to lengthen the shadows along the floor. He took a deep breath in my direction and his eyes cleared slightly.

"Come back into my office, Elena. I want to ask you something."

He went to his computer and pulled something up. "Did you encounter any other reporters from Rafe media while you were there?"

I shook my head. "No one said anything, but it's possible. There were a lot of other media and some of them didn't get word about the room change in time."

"Did you see this man?" He gestured to his screen.

I went around his desk and looked. He was a middle-aged, slightly balding man who looked fit in a suit and tie. I was sure I didn't see him in the crowd or in the room.

"Nope," I said. "Who is he?"

"He's Nicolas Middleman. He's the reporter assigned to the political beat by the main department of Rafe media."

"Oh," I looked more closely. "Is he upset that I'm infringing on his territory?"

"No," Charles said. "I've been keeping in close communication with his editor to make sure."

He straightened up and looked at me. "I actually wanted him to join forces with you yesterday, and to have him here at the lunch meeting to get his opinion about things. He's been covering these people for a while now and should have some good insights."

I was puzzled. Most editors and employees rushed to respond to requests from Charles. "He didn't reply to you?"

"Correct," Charles said. "And not because he was upset, since I can see the question forming behind your eyes."

I flushed. Occasionally it was like he'd read my mind.

"So what's the problem?" I asked.

"He hasn't shown up for work," Charles said slowly. His eyes shifted to mine.

A chill went down my spine.

"Is he okay?"

Charles shrugged. "We will find out. In the meantime, we are out a political reporter. Sally and I have already discussed it. Do you think you'll be able to break down your experience yesterday into two pieces, one for Social Scene involving the orphanage, and the other for the political section featuring the chaos and the behavior of the council?"

I was surprised but elated. "Sure!"

I tried not to let the worry about the reporter be overshadowed by my assignment. But I was going to write for the main page of the paper!

"You can refer to your article for Social Scene and note that future articles will appear under the Social Scene banner so after this you'll only need to write a single article for Sally. It will be more work tonight though, I'm sorry to say."

"Absolutely no problem," I said, already thinking how to separate my information. "And it won't be much more work. I just need to divide up my information in a different way."

I smiled at him. "Easy!"

He looked at me, his eyebrows knit in concern. His big hands took my shoulders and he looked intently into my eyes, making my joy at the assignment spread throughout my body.

I want to lean into him and kiss him.

"I'm worried," he said, looking at me seriously. "I want you to listen to me."

I wiped the smile off my face and looked at him, trying to focus my attention.

"This may be getting very serious, and you know how I feel about your well-being."

I nodded. Necessary scent diffuser, I think. Yes.

"With the person following you, the harassment you got singled out for at city hall..."

"I didn't get singled out."

"It sounds to me like you did. Did anyone else get their badge checked?"

I paused. He was right.

"I want you to promise me that you will not go anywhere alone, and that you will never go investigating without another person and preferably the security that I am about to hire to be with you at all times."

I frowned. I didn't want security. It would frighten people off and make my life difficult.

"This is not negotiable," he said. "This is the decision of your boss, and I would do it for any reporter in this circumstance. In fact, Sally mentioned it to me yesterday even before we knew Nicolas was missing."

I nodded. "Okay."

He looked relieved but didn't let go.

"One more thing. I understand if this is getting to be a lot. We have at least six other reporters in line to pick up where Nicolas left off. If you want to put this down for now, I swear to you Rafe Media won't let it drop, and you can step away and have a peaceful life back."

My mouth opened and closed. He was giving me an out, a choice, but there was no doubt in my mind.

I smiled. "Thank you, but I'm determined to see this through."

He exhaled and pulled me to him. His head lowered to mine and he buried his nose in my hair.

"I don't know if I'm upset or proud, Elena." He held me close for a few deep breaths and then released me.

He looked into my eyes and smiled. "Now go write your stories."