Chapter One

“Where’s that video?”

“Gil’s got it.”

“Where’s Gil? We’re live in five!”

“Gil! Get that video to the producer!”

I slumped down in my chair and pressed on my earphones. I hated this time of day in the newsroom. It was almost showtime, and everyone was panicking. I had forty minutes to finish my story and was trying not to panic myself. Despite the unimportance the producer placed on my story, burying it between the “Adopt-A-Pet” and the “Food Tip of the Day,” I was trying to make it sound good.

“Yeah, sound good. Like it matters,” I muttered. “I’ve been doing fluff stories for months, and no one’s taken any interest. How is this going to change anything?”

“Alex, you got the story done?”

I looked up to see the assistant news director, Adam, staring down at me.

“Not yet, Adam, but close.”

“Well, hurry it up. You’re on in thirty.” This came from over his shoulder as he moved down the row of cubicles.

“Thirty-six, stupid.” I couldn’t stand Adam and his arrogance. He’d been assistant news director for two months and acted like he did all the news on his own. He expected people to kiss up to him and wasn’t above taking credit for story ideas that had worked their way up through meetings. I learned that the hard way.

“Alex! Story. Now!”

Now that was a voice to pay attention to. Jennifer Payse, news director. She was the person who had hired me and the only one I cared to impress. Jennifer knew her news business, and even though she hadn’t given me my chance at a big story yet, I was sure it was coming soon.

“It’s not done, but I’ll give you what I got. Let me print it out.”

“Email it to me. I’m heading back to my office.”

“Right, email.” Feeling stupid, I sent it off to Jen.

After a few minutes, a response appeared on my screen. Good story. You’re on the right track. Finish it for air and come see me after you’re done.

I put the finishing touches on my story and sent it to the producer. After I got his okay, I got up and headed to Jen’s office. Walking among the mass of cubicles of news writers, producers, and other reporters brought a spring back to my step. God, I loved that job. The excitement, the adrenaline rush, yes, even the stress. I had wanted to be a TV reporter since I was a kid. I still couldn’t believe I was there.

As soon as I walked into Jennifer’s office, I knew something was up. Not only was Adam there, but the assignment editor, Rick, executive producer, John, and holy of holies, general manager, Jim Banks. For a moment, I thought I had interrupted a prior meeting, but I quickly acted as though I belonged.

“You wanted to see me, Jen?”

Jen motioned me to sit next to Jim and said, “Alex, good, you’re here. Please, sit down.”

I nodded hello to everyone and said to Jim, “Jim, good to see you.”

Jim nodded back. “Alex, good to see you again. Everyone treating you well?”

“Well enough, thank you. So, what’s going on?”

Jennifer took over the conversation from there. “There’s a breaking story in Palm Springs. A young girl is missing, but not just any young girl. She’s Walter Mutz’s girlfriend.”

“The dot-com mogul?” I eagerly put out there, trying to sound like an informed reporter.

Jen, not missing a beat, continued, “That’s the one. Richer than rich. Early reports are that he came home, and the front door was wide open, and there was no girlfriend. The house was messed up, but no sign of blood. They’re treating it as a kidnapping right now. We need to get someone over there, stat. That’s where you come in, Alex.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“We’re sending you and Mac. You’re leaving as soon as you can get home and gather enough stuff to last a while. I don’t know how long you’re going to be there. It could be a day, a month, or maybe more. Are you okay with this?”

Other than Mac, I was more than okay. This was my big break. “Of course. I’m fine. Whatever you need.”

“Palm Springs is only about two hours away, but I want you guys to stay there as long as it takes. If we start going back and forth, we might miss something. I’ve got Cindy trying to get you reservations, but the town is being overrun by the media. One reason we’re sending Mac with you is he’s from there. Worse comes to worst, his parents still live there.”

“Great,” I said out loud. Inside, I thought I would camp before I stayed with Mac anywhere, especially with his parents.

Mac had been a thorn in my side since I was hired by the station. He was a sweet guy, but he had a huge crush on me. It was a bit embarrassing at times because he was so obvious. Of course, it didn’t help that I was a very-in-the-closet lesbian. I had no boyfriend, but I couldn’t tell him the reason why. He even sent me flowers on my birthday.

Interrupting my thoughts, Jen replied, “Then you better get home and get your stuff. Mac has already left. He said he’d be back within the hour.”

“I will, too. I’m not far from here, and it won’t take me long. Anything else I need to know?”

Jen seemed done with the conversation and dismissed us all. “Adam and the guys are gathering what they can as we speak. We’ll give you what we got before you leave.”

Everyone got up to leave, and finally, someone else spoke. “Good luck, Alex. Don’t forget, we are the number one station in Los Angeles for breaking news. Don’t let us down.” And those words of wisdom and pressure from the GM ended our conversation.