Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette Read Free Book Online Page B

They plan to reconsider the situation, but it sounds like they are likely to grandfather in the Mastins’ restaurant anyway.”
    Palamina’s forehead wrinkled up a little. “So, hmm, what are you thinking about for the angle of your story?”
    I felt my mouth sag open—I hadn’t thought for a minute about my angle. I pulled my jaw shut. “Actually, I hadn’t noodled that out yet. I had planned to go home and work on the piece last night, but right after that, Lorenzo was attacked right there in the meeting. And then there were contentious discussions about the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square and the cemetery burglar. It was too tense to leave. And this morning I devoted to Firefly.” I had to stop blathering—to Palamina it must have sounded as though I was making excuses for doing a shoddy job.
    She nodded, looking thoughtful, and then turned to focus on Wally’s image on the computer screen. She tapped the tip of her pencil on the desk. “I don’t know what your policy has been in the past, but I’m kind of thinking Hayley should maintain her focus on the food angle, rather than get caught up in the town politics. I like the idea of Hayley’s brand being food and restaurants, sort of the Key West Pete Wells or Frank Bruni. And then you or I can cover politics as needed. Once you get back down here, of course.”
    “Sounds okay to me,” said Wally. “Okay with you, Hayley?”
    Pretty clear that she didn’t think I could handle hard news, because I hadn’t produced an “angle.” But what was I going to do, pitch a fit about covering fluff?“Sure,” I said. “But rest assured that I can write about anything. What I mean is, I’m capable of writing on any subject.”
    Palamina gave a brisk nod. “If it sounds okay to the rest of you, I took the liberty of making a reservation at For Goodness’ Sake for Hayley for dinner tomorrow. While the other news organizations are waiting to see what shakes out with the regulations, we’ll get the jump on what the meals are like. Table for four at seven thirty under the name Wells. I have a date with Commissioner Greenleigh for drinks tonight. I bet I can get something quotable from her on the zoning controversy.”
    We spent another fifteen minutes in the meeting—a record short length for Key Zest . I did miss the usual chitchat and gossip, but each time we veered in that direction, Palamina briskly steered us back to work. Within those fifteen minutes, she’d admired and approved my lunch article’s title and slashed the lead to a stylish two sentences that would get necks snapping. Or salivary glands watering or eyeballs popping, whatever. Once Wally had signed off the conference call, I said, “How did he look to you? Don’t you think he looked pale?”
    “But he sounded strong,” Danielle said. “I think work is good for him, something to keep him occupied that isn’t sad.”
    “Agreed,” said Palamina. Then she turned to me. “So you’ve got Firefly in the bag; do you think you can get two more lunches in and have the article to me by Tuesday? Actually Monday would be even better, so I have time to edit.”
    “Of course.” I gathered up my papers and computer and slunk down the hall to my cubicle, which had notyet been decorated in the world-according-to-Palamina style. I phoned Wally as soon as I’d shut the door.
    “I didn’t get a chance to find out how you’re doing,” I said.
    “We’re doing well,” he said. “Mom’s feeling better and I may even get down to Key West for part of the weekend.”
    “Fabulous!” I said. “Can’t wait to see you. Let me know when you get here.” And then I touched my toe in the water: “That Palamina is a whirling dervish, isn’t she?”
    “A breath of fresh air,” Wally said. “Nothing negative about her. It takes a weight off me to know she’s quite capable of handling things until I get back full-time.”
    Which hadn’t exactly been my experience—not this morning, anyway. In