(1982) The Almighty by Irving Wallace Read Free Book Online

but they were perfect when it came to reading his mind, even to finishing his sentences. They were aggressive, daring, filled with energy, and both had hated E. J. These were Armstead’s confidants and his loyalists, since Chicago, and from now on they would be properly rewarded.
    ‘First things first,’ Armstead said to Dietz. ‘Did you check out the daily circulation of the New York Times?’
    Dietz found a clear area on the desk, set his folders down, picked up the top one and opened it. ‘According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the latest daily circulation figure on the Times - four months old - is 873,255. That’s subscription and newsstand.’
    ‘And the Record, what’s our latest daily circulation figure?’
    ‘Approximately 533,000.’
    Armstead frowned. ‘So we’d have to pick up around 350,000 readers to pass the New York Times.’
    ‘I’m afraid that’s it, Chief,’ said Dietz.
    ‘The bastard.’
    Both Dietz and Harmston knew that he meant his father,
    and they bobbed their heads in agreement.
    Armstead sat up in his swivel chair and loosened his tie. ‘Well, if we want to keep this paper we’d better get to work. You’ve got the records of the editorial staffers and the reorganizational charts?’
    Dietz patted the folders on the desk. ‘Right here.’ ‘Okay, I’ll get at them later. Let’s start with the two of you. I’ve been giving it some thought. You will both be answerable only to me. Outside of general orders, everything I tell you will be kept in strictest confidence. Harry, this is a bigger job, much bigger, than Special Projects, and so your work will be greatly expanded. As always, you’ll be the one to develop and carry out my ideas. You, Bruce, will have a double work load. Not only do I want you to serve as my liaison with the two hundred editorial people out there, but I also want you to act as my personal public-relations man.’
    ‘For yourself, not just the paper,’ said Harmston. ‘For me. I come into this position as the Giant’s son, an heir who got lucky, an obscure relative, a faded copy of the legendary press lord. I want to climb out from under that image. I want to be my own man, a known individual.’ ‘I’d love that,’ said Harmston enthusiastically. ‘You did public relations in Chicago,’ added Armstead. ‘You have the background to do the job. See that I get a fair shake for everything I do. And work up a program that will get me both attention and prestige.’ ‘I can do it,’ Harmston promised.
    ‘To do anything, we’ve got to hold on to the paper,’ said Armstead. “To hold on to the paper, we’ve got to revitalize it. To become Number One, we’ve got to give people what they can’t get in any other newspaper. How do we do it? By finding exclusives. By digging for exposes. By having what no one else has. Harry, you and I will revamp the staff, get rid of the weaklings, hire some bright young pros. Bruce, I want you to revive Special Projects. Find out what the staff can offer. Meet with McAllister and Crutchfield. And that fellow, that investigative reporter who came up with that last Special Project for us, the groundwork for that series on the inside of world terrorism that my old man turned down. Who was that reporter?’
    ‘Nick Ramsey,’ said Harmston.
    ‘Sharp fellow. Milk him for some thoughts for Special Projects. Then -‘
    The ICM on Armstead’s telephone sounded. Estelle’s voice came through the speaker. ‘Mr. Armstead, there’s a young lady here who claims to have a two o’clock appointment with you. Miss Victoria Weston. I don’t have her in my book -‘ ‘Miss - who?’
    ‘Miss Victoria Weston. Apparently you were to interview her for a job as a reporter.’
    For a moment Armstead’s face was a blank, and then
    recognition came. ‘Yes, I remember - Hugh Weston’s
    daughter. I promised to see her. Tell her to wait a minute.’
    As Armstead turned away from the phone Dietz said,
    ‘Want me to interview