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cted."
"I appreciate you saying that, but I'd like to break it up with something a bit more challenging."
He nodded, pursing his mouth. "This is well thought out." He gestured again at the memo. "But I want you to walk me through the proposal. I want to know what motivates you to pursue this."
He wasn't about to make it easy for her. Amy took a deep breath. "I was attracted to it firstly because, as you say, the readership interest is already there. He's a popular personality and people want to know what's going on with him. It is real news they want though, not something the rumor mill has churned out for them."
He nodded at her, suppressing a smile.
"The missing celebratory story is interesting in itself. If I was able to pursue it as it unfolds I could get a major scoop in the making. That really motivates me—to be there when the reasons for his disappearance are unfolded, that would be a big story."
"You're willing to admit there may be nothing more than speculation to be had, but you hope for something more?"
"Exactly." He'd conceded to her reasoning. The job was almost within her grasp.
He contemplated the memo again, one finger tapping against his chin as he re-read it. He glanced up at her, frowning. "This could be dangerous work. A missing person, high profile. Could be criminal involvement."
She wondered if all his journalists got this kind of pep talk, or if it was because it was his own daughter sitting there in the hot seat. "I do realize that, Dad. I'm twenty-seven years old and quite capable of looking after myself. I assure you I won't let you down."
He observed her for a moment, in silence. "Okay, this is the deal."
The deal? Amy gave a mental groan.
"You get the feature, a small budget, and the use of a pool car."
That wasn't so bad after all.
"Well, thanks." She broke into a triumphant smile.
He held up his hands. "Hold up, there's more."
Amy waited.
"You'll have to report to Fiona, of course." He waited to see her reaction.
Amy cringed internally. Fiona Richards. His deputy editor was not the easiest person in the world to work with. Reporting to Fiona reduced even the toughest of journalists to shivering wrecks after a few of her choice remarks on their copy. "I see."
"Amy, it would be unethical for me to deal with this directly, even if you weren't my daughter, you have to see that."
She nodded. "I understand, and I certainly don't want to look as if I'm getting any favors."
"Quite so."
"I want to be clear that I came to you as a journalist who wants to show a bit of potential in a different field, not your daughter."
He seemed to accept that.
"Well," she continued, giving him a half-hearted smile. "If that's the only payback for getting the go-ahead, I guess its not–"
"No," he interrupted, "I'm afraid that's not all. As part of the deal you also get a traveling companion."
Amy frowned. "What?"
"I want someone to go on the job with you."
"Oh no, no way," Amy responded, annoyed, shaking her head. "I refuse to share my scoop with another journalist."
Her father flashed her a quick smile. "That's my girl." His eyes twinkled with humor at her remark. "No, I'm not referring to another journalist. What I want is for you to have someone with you, so you are safe."
