Chapter 55

Ten minutes later I was seated next to Sally in the conference room, my colleagues all looking at us with curiosity. Across the room, Kevin made eye-contact with me. I gave him a quick smile, and he looked away.

"Elena," Sally leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear. "I don't need anything, actually. Your scent is just comforting is all."

She inhaled subtly and leaned away, smiling at me. Then she cleared her throat and stood.

"I'm afraid I have some sad news. One of our colleagues from another division, Nicolas Middleman, was found dead in his apartment late last night."

There was a collective gasp around the room, some people raised hands to their mouths in shock.

"Right now there are no official reports, but Mr. Rafe, who was there to help find the body, is certain that there was foul play."

More murmurs went around our table.

"Mr. Middleman was working on a similar piece as our own Elena, looking into something involving the city government, and while we have no proof as of yet, we are anticipating that this investigative reporting has something to do with his death."

The room had now gone totally still.

"Social Scene, under my direction, has been more light fare, gossip pages and scandals. We will continue to cover any of those stories that arise, and you may continue any stories you have chosen. However, because Nicolas is now gone, Elena is going to be taking his beat and moving it to Social Scene."

There was some shifting in seats at this announcement.

"Anyone who feels the need to support this direction and contribute is welcome. In fact, I'm putting out the call right now to anyone who wants in."

Stan's hand went up. "This seems like you're asking us to put our lives in danger. Am I wrong?" He looked around the table, as if daring someone to contradict him.

Sally nodded. "You're right, Stan. That's exactly what I'm doing, and that's why this is strictly on a volunteer basis."

She looked around, her eyes bright and challenging. "It may be dangerous, but it will be worthwhile work if that's something you prioritize. We still need the fluff stories if you want to stay safe, Stan."

Stan frowned. I could see he felt the slight, the small criticism of his courage.

"Social Scene will provide guards and car services to anyone so inclined. I wouldn't ask you to do something dangerous without any extra protection."

I watched heads nodding in thanks around the office.

"I'll leave it to you to decide, and anyone interested can send me an email. This will not be something we spread around, for security purposes."

I looked sideways at Sally standing next to me, admiration flooding me. She had more Alpha qualities than she'd let on in the last few weeks, and as she stood confidently challenging her employees she radiated power and confidence.

It made me proud, to be working for someone who was able to make such a big change even after so much time.

"And now," Sally said, looking at her watch. "I'm due at an editor's meeting in Mr. Rafe's office. Please do not share the information about Mr. Middleman until you see the email go out to all employees. We are making his sure his loved ones are all informed before we release the news."

She picked up her notes. "Thank you, everyone." She strode out of the shocked and silent office.

I hid my smile, knowing most of my colleagues were feeling shock and sadness, but I couldn't help feeling proud of Sally and heartened by her support of me and my work.

What a change!

As people began to leave the room, murmuring to each other and frowning, Matilda approached me, her face pale.

"We really stirred something up, didn't we?"

I nodded. "I think so. Are you okay?"

"I don't know," she said. I held out a hand and she took it, squeezing it. "I think I need some time to process this."

"Yes," I said. "And if you decide to step away, I get it."

She smiled. "Thanks, Elena."

Sheila approached me next, asking what happened. Others gathered around and I had to tell them I didn't know more than what Sally said, first, because it was true, but also I didn't want to spread anything before Charles was ready to release information.

My phone pinged as I was leaving the conference room. It was from Charles.

Probably working through lunch today, it read. No need to come up.

I put the phone down, frowning. My scent seemed to have helped him so much that morning. Why would he not want it now?

Or maybe he thought it would distract him? We had spent the morning doing more than just drinking coffee.

I frowned and tried to put it out of my mind while I consulted notes and wrote. It helped to focus on something else, but when my phone notification reminded me of my usual lunchtime meeting I suddenly felt angry.

We had a deal. He couldn't just wave me off like I was nothing. Yes, I was an employee, but at this point I was more.

I stood, smoothed my clothes and my hair and went determinedly to the elevators. Didn't he say he needed me? Then why was he rejecting me now?

When the doors opened, I could hear the discussions happening from the open door of the conference room and see through the glass. The editors were all there looking serious, offering ideas that Amy was jotting down on a tablet that was projecting up on a screen.

Charles's eyes met mine through the glass as I hesitated, thinking I would wait in his office. To my surprise, I saw his eyes light up despite the serious look on his face. He waved at me to come in.

"I believe you all know Elena Laurentia, the other reporter working on this story from Social Scene," he said. He gestured for me to have a seat at the table next to him.

Down the table, Sally gave me a small smile and nod.

My heart leapt. Sitting there with the editors looking at me with friendly respect made me realize I'd done it. I'd finally become the journalist I'd always dreamed about.

I took a deep breath as the conversation continued, trying to savor the moment. This was all I could allow myself, the brief acknowledgment to myself that I had done it.

Maybe later I would call Cathy and squeal into the phone with a glass of sparkling wine, but right now there was work to do, and I couldn't be too happy knowing one of my colleagues had died.

"I appreciate the sentiment," I heard Sally say, and I snapped back to attention. There was steel in her voice I wasn't used to.

"But I object. This was Social Scene's story first. It should be ours to continue. If other departments want to contribute, we would be happy to have them. I already have half a dozen confirmations from my people, however, and we would be pleased to take all of this on."

I could see Charles' eyes glitter. Was it admiration? Was it a pride? Amusement?

"Okay, Sal. I know and trust your editorial expertise, but I do want to take Mel up on his offer and bring in some of the political beat veterans to help support you and Elena. Will you be good with that Mel?"

Mel frowned but nodded his head. "I understand jurisdiction and would feel the same in Sal's position. We are happy to play whatever role is needed."

"Thank you," Charles said. "We need to work together and I appreciate your acquiescence."

Sally sat back, appeased. I had obviously walked in on a power struggle that had come out in our favor.

"Okay then," Charles said, looking around the room. "Ellen, you'll have the email drafted and sent to me in the next twenty minutes for release?"

A woman at the end of the table nodded. "And condolence flowers will arrive at his parents and ex-wife's residences shortly."

Charles nodded his thanks. "Everyone else knows what to do?"

There were nods around the table.

"Okay, press conference time. Elena, since you're here, how would you feel about appearing at a press conference?"