Wildfire by Priscilla West Read Free Book Online Page B

for the city, it enlivened my entire soul.  I spent the weekend in a whirlwind of energy doing laundry, coming up with layout and story leads, calling employees to tell them they were all rehired, and writing my editorial column for the next issue of Lynx.  I even managed to go over to Janice’s for lunch and take a quick trip for some new clothes.
     
    Blake wasn’t out of his cell in time for dinner, as he predicted, but did manage to get bailed out the next day. I wasn’t too worried about him. On the advice of his new lawyer, he is staying home and laying low until trial. Mark spent his weekend at the office, helping investigators plow through the files and build a strong case.  We talked on the phone a few times. I apologized for leaving angry, and he said we both had to do what we thought was right.
     
    I don’t need an alarm clock to get me up Monday morning. I arrived at the office about a half- hour earlier than normal to find most of the staff already there.  They brought in donuts and juice, and Janice put up a big banner that said, “Welcome back Miss Sharp.”  It had been purposely written to say “Welcome back Miss Shark” but there was a strike out through the “k” and a “p” had be put in its place. The staff clapped and cheered as I opened my office door, a flower arrangement from Mark on my desk. Standing in the doorway, my smile could have lit a small city at midnight.
     
    “Miss Shark is indeed gone,” I tell my excited staff. “But, Julia Sharp is here to stay!”  
     
    “Long live Miss Sharp!” someone cheers and another round of clapping ensues.
     
    “Break up the love-fest,” Janice grouses. “Let’s get back to work. We have a magazine to put out!”
     
    Everyone scurries to their cubicle or office leaving the two of us standing together. I give her a quick hug and go to my desk.  I place the flowers where I can see them and turn the small card over and over in my hand.
     
    “Welcome back, Julia. I love you, M.S.” It reads. There’s a part of me that’s a little disappointed because I thought he might attend my reunion with Lynx. I know he’s swamped trying to keep his own company out of the mire right now so it makes sense he couldn’t be here.
     
    “Miss Sharp,” Justin, the layout manager, comes in and plops down for our usual Monday meeting. “I need to know how you want to pursue the lead.  I know a guy who might be able to get a hold of Blake Stone’s booking photo and that would make an awesome cover, or if you wanted something more symbolic – like handcuffs on a dollar sign – I can get the illustrator started on sketches.”
     
    “What are you talking about Justin?”
     
    “The Sandstone Ventures story, of course. It’s not every day in New York that a major venture capitalist gets arrested for embezzlement, intimidation and trying to take over a magazine. If any publication has the inside scoop on this, it’s us. I figured it would be the lead.”
     
    “We aren’t covering that,” I say quietly. I thought about it, naturally. Images of Blake between the arms of those two cops on the cover of Lynx would give me enough satisfaction to smile for a year. But, while it may sooth the ego it won’t pay the bills. When you pull outside of my reality, it’s little else than another “corruption in the city” gig and it would expose me and Mark to more examination than either of us want right now.
     
    “You’ve been out a month, our deadline is this week and we’ve got nothing to lead. I can grab Fatima’s story about school vouchers, but I don’t think it’s hot off the press material.”
     
    “School. That reminds me. Is Andy busy on something big? He’s our best street guy and I have an assignment for him right away. Send him in when you leave.” I wave dismissing him. Then realize that’s a Miss Shark habit, and I don’t want to be her anymore.  “Thank you. I’ll get back to you soon. Now, go.”
     
    “But, I