Alexandra headed toward his office.What could he want?Max never gave her the time of day. While she hoped for the best, she was a realist. She was about to knock, when his door flewopen.
Max reared back. “Christ, you scared the bejesus out ofme.”
Jumpymuch?
“Come in,” he said. When she did, he shut the door. “We have to re-do the interview for the winner ofDC’s Brightest TechStar.”
Her stomach roiled. “Why?”
“You have a conflict of interest.” Hitching an eyebrow, he glared at her over his glasses. “Why didn’t you tell me you were interviewing someone who’d done business with your brother? Damn waste of money and productiontime.”
Her blood pressure spiked. “The fact that Mr. Wilde did business with my brother is irrelevant to the story. I use the name Reed. No one in this town even knows I’m aMitus.”
“My decision is final.” He shuffled over to his desk and sorted through one of his many piles. After lifting a piece of paper, he held it out. “This is a good sort of story for you. The animal shelter in Falls Church is celebrating their grand re-opening.”
Unable to control her anger, her cheeks grew hot.This is absolute bullshit.He was punishing her for somethinghedid two years ago because he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants then, either. “To whom did you reassign the story, Max?” The question was moot. She knew theanswer.
“Stacy Blunk will contact the winner. As her mentor, help herprep.”
“I conducted a solid interview,” she said. “Redoingit is a waste of the station’smoney.”
Max’s smarmy smile left her feeling queasy. “Per usual, your self-serving needs come first. Shame on you, Alexandra. What about his poorsister?”
“Mr. Wilde discussed his sister because he trustedme.”
“Instruct Stacy what questions toask.”
“You can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learn.” Alexandra shook her head. “I don’t think Mr. Wilde will agree to anotherinterview.”
“Convince him.” He opened the door. “Oh, and if you won’t work with Stacy, I’ll be forced to let you go forinsubordination.”
Her heart plummeted. Max had backed her into acorner.
After waddling into the hallway, he pivoted. His beady eyes drilled into her. “Maybe this time you’ll learn your lesson,honey.”
25
Alexandra’s Suspicions
As Alexandra waitedinWilde’s reception area, she nibbled her fingernail. She would convince Crockett to redo the interview for Sophia’ssake.
Crockett rounded the corner. “What a great surprise!” he said, but concern laced his eyes. “What brings youby?”
“I know you’re busy. I need fiveminutes.”
“Youokay?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s talk in my office.” The normally chatty workspace was eerily quiet, the atmosphere thick with tension. Had someonedied?
The second they stepped inside his office, he said, “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for her reply, heleft.
Something is definitely wrong.She eased into the chair across from his desk and glanced around for a clue. Nothing was out ofplace.
A moment later, Crockett returned, deep worry lines etched between his eyebrows. “I’m all yours.” His forced smile made her heart tighten. “Is itKimberly?”
“She’s fine, but you aren’t. Talk tome.”
