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Sean snorted. “Because this is the first time the Monarchs have made it to the postseason in years. They’re in the spotlight again. That makes them more vulnerable to negative publicity.”
Frederick shrugged. “Sounds plausible, but the Monarchs have fired someone recently. Troy Marshall.”
Andrea’s shoulders stiffened. “The Insider postings started before that. Troy isn’t the blogger.”
Sean leaned forward, waiting until he had the other reporters’ attention. “Speaking of Troy and gossip, word on the street is that Gerry’s calling around to the other franchises in the city. Knicks, Yankees, Mets, Jets, Giants—”
Jenna interrupted him. “We get the idea, Sean. All of the franchises. Why is he calling them?”
“He’s advising them not to hire Troy. He’s blackballing his ex-marketing veep.”
Andrea’s stomach muscles knotted. Her head spun. Déjà vu. “Who told you this?”
Sean’s brows flew under his bangs. He barked a laugh. “You know I can’t give up my sources.”
Jenna glanced from Andrea to Sean. “How are the other franchises responding?”
Sean shrugged. “I don’t know.” There was a sense of excitement around the reporter. His eyes gleamed as though the scent of the hot news story intoxicated him.
Jenna slid another look toward Andrea. Her hazel green eyes were dark with concern. “For all we know, no one’s taking his calls.”
Frederick spoke without lifting his attention from his computer monitor. “Gerry isn’t well liked in the city. It got worse after Andrea’s story.”
Sean straightened in his chair. “Still, Troy got in front of a camera and called his boss a liar and a fraud.” He shrugged again. “That was a really dumb move.”
“He was trying to protect his team.” Andrea watched the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Monarchs return to the court. But her thoughts remained with Troy. His impulsive act had cost him much more than he realized. Gerald was trying to destroy him. She had to find a way to help him, but would he even let her?
“We need to talk.” Andrea sat in her car in the parking lot of the Empire Arena after the Monarchs third loss of the best-of-seven series. Her cell phone was pressed to her ear as she tried to force her way into the traffic exiting the parking garage. It was a very delicate modern-day game of chicken.
“About what?” Troy’s voice was puzzled and perhaps a little sad. Had he watched the game?
“It’s about Gerry.” She nudged her Ford compact a little farther into the traffic pattern.
“What about him?” Troy’s voice had tensed.
Eureka! Someone let her join the traffic stream in front of his car. Andrea pulled out, then waved her gratitude. “Can we meet in person?”
“We can talk at my place.” He gave her the address to his condominium building. “Take Utica Avenue. It’s faster.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Andrea ended the call. She dropped her cell phone back into her purse. She couldn’t afford a ticket if New York’s finest caught her using her cellular in traffic.
Forty minutes later, she was standing beside the security desk in the posh lobby of a building she’d only ever admired from outside. Troy arrived to escort her to his condo. Her breath still caught each time she saw him in casual clothes. The silver jersey sculpted his broad, well-defined chest and shoulders. The jersey and black warm-up pants gave Troy a relaxed and approachable look, much more in her league than his designer business suits. He smiled at her, and her heart jumped once in her chest.
Troy nodded at the older security guard before once again capturing her gaze. “Come on up.”
He led her to the elevator and pressed the button for his floor. The doors closed and they began the slow, silent ascent to his condo on the twentieth floor. Andrea could feel his warmth beside her. She smelled his subtle scent, citrus and cinnamon. She swallowed.
Several floors into their journey, Troy shifted toward her. “You’re going to make me wait, aren’t you?”
Andrea’s gaze shot to his face. “For what?”
His ebony eyes were puzzled. “To talk about Gerry. Isn’t that why you’re here?”
Andrea tried to nod, but her neck felt stiff. “Yes. I was just thinking about the game. Did you see it?”
Troy leaned against the back of the elevator. “Yes. It’s even harder to watch them lose on TV. Between the Insider’s blog about my being fired and the team’s loss, it hasn’t been a great day.”
“I’m sorry.”
