Heart in the Field (20 page)

           
She stood up to give herself more
power. “If I reschedule my program, I want definite dates for it.”

           
“You’ll get them. And it’s not your
program. It’s our program. It’s our show. Remember that.”

           
Nick walked out of her office and
closed the door behind him. She didn’t feel quite so vehement about him now.
She could understand his desire to succeed. His career was on the line as well.

•

           
“They sizzled,” one reviewer wrote
in the morning paper. “Black and white, neon color, music, sharp editing,
ingredients
that make
Neon
Nights
work.”

           
One newspaper columnist dropped her
usual topic to salute, dissect and discuss
Neon
Nights
. “Steel TV has pumped some new life
into what is usually old life. Nick and Serena make it happen.”

           
Paul chucked one of the papers down on
the boardroom table.
“Nothing about me.
I thought I
shot some pretty hot footage the other night.”

           
“You did,” Serena told him. “But
it’s like the screenplay writing of a movie. It doesn’t get any credit. The
actors do.”

           
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I
should have known that Fraser could overshadow an elephant. I should have
signed off as soon as I heard John wasn’t available.”

           
Serena leaned her hip against the
table. “That’s half of it, isn’t it? You don’t like Nick.”

           
“Ah, I don’t really dislike him, but
he does have a sort of power over people. And I have to admit I’ve been set
straight by my sister. When I talked to
Lise
the
other night, she said, “Don’t be silly, Paul, that’s all over. It was an affair
in my own mind.”

           
Serena felt relieved about this.
“Really?”

           
“She said nothing happened but a
couple of dates.”

           
“Well, then. You don’t have to be
mad at Nick anymore. Just ignore him. I try to.”

           
Paul pursed his mouth at her. “He
tries to control you, doesn’t he?”

           
“Not exactly, but
he’s been used to being number one and it shows.”
She pushed away from
the table edge. “We have to be strong, Paul.”

           
He laughed. “Well, I guess I was a
bit edgy about him from the beginning. Maybe if I relax things will improve.”

           
She touched his arm. “Good idea. And
remember that Nick wants this to succeed. He won’t let the show fail.”

           
Nick strode into the boardroom at
that moment and gave her hand on Paul’s arm a look. “If you’re not busy, Serena
I thought we should go through
City Streets
and see what we can salvage?”

           
“I don’t have time right now. I have
to meet a friend for lunch.”

           
“I’ll see you around Serena. Nick.”
Paul left the boardroom.

           
“Who are you meeting?”

           
“A friend of
mine.”

           
“A woman?”

           
“She happens to be, yes.” Serena
passed Nick and went to her office. She walked behind her desk and pulled her
purse out of her drawer. Then she slipped on the burgundy suit jacket over her
slacks and pink satin blouse.

           
Nick had followed her. “Who is this
woman?”

           
She straightened her jacket and
blouse collars.
“A friend of mine from university.”

           
“Is she linked to your story?”

           
“She’s not the woman who fell in
love with the prison inmate, if that’s what you mean.”

           
His eyes narrowed. “But she is
connected?”

           
“We were all roommates together.”

           
“So she knows the woman who fell in
love with the prisoner?”

           
“Nick. Please don’t interrogate me.”

           
“I’m just trying to figure out why
you’re being so secretive. Your reaction to having to change time slots for
your show tells me you’re possessive about this story.”

           
“Naturally, I am. It was my
concept.”

           
“And it could be dangerous.”

           
Serena shouldered her purse-strap.
“Why could it be dangerous?”

           
He raised an eyebrow.
“Because you’re dealing with a story from a woman who loved a
criminal.”

           
“Who is probably
still behind bars.”

           
“Don’t count on it.”

           
“What do you mean now?”

           
He shrugged his shoulders. “People
don’t always stay in jail forever. They get out. Women could tell stories on
them over the air and they might not be happy about it. Have you looked into
him still being in prison?”

           
“No.”

           
“That’s exactly what I mean. Yet you
get so damn mad at me. You haven’t got this story yet. I think you need help.
Therefore, I’m coming to lunch with you.”

           
She went up to him. “That is only
because you want complete control of the show.”

           
Their eyes met and locked. “That’s
from your perspective.”

           
“It’s the perspective you’re giving
me.”

           
“I don’t mean to. I want you to put
in your fifty percent as well. I’m not leaving you out.” He raked his fingers
through his hair. “Serena, please don’t make waves between us. It’s difficult
enough keeping Don and Cam off our backs.”

           
“Is that what you’re doing?”

           
“I want it to be our vision on the
screen on Thursday evenings. That’s what I want. Now, come on. Relax with me
and realize I’m on your side.”

           
Serena’s shoulders slumped as she
thought of her non-creative brain trying to write her script the other day.
“All right.
I’d like your viewpoint. I’m a bit stumped.”

           
He shook his head at her. “I
appreciate that admission. It doesn’t diminish you in my eyes one bit. But you
have been tied in by studio news reporting for a number of years. It’s bound to
be a little stifling.”

           
“How do you know that?”

           
“Because I’ve done
it myself.
I did an anchor job for a year once.”

           
Serena couldn’t help laughing. “I
didn’t know that.”

           
“I don’t make it public. Now, let’s
go. We’ll keep your friend waiting.”

           
Serena gave up. He was right. They
were supposed to be a team. And she did need his help. She was floundering with
the story.

           
Outside the suite, Serena ignored
the elevator and headed for the stairs.

           
Nick followed her down the steep
stone steps.
“Now what?”

           
Their footsteps made a hollow echo
and the light was harsh. Serena glanced over her shoulder. “After we got stuck,
I don’t want to use the elevators anymore.”

           
“Are you walking up seven floors all
the time?”

           
“Yep.
Keeps me in shape.
You can take the elevator. I’ll meet you
down in the foyer.”

           
“No. This is fine.” He moved beside
her. “Are you okay after Monday night?”

           
“I didn’t think you remembered it.”

           
“I’ve got a better memory than
that.”

           
“Well, I’m fine. All I’m interested
in now, is my story and meeting Rita.”

           
“Point taken.”

           
Serena glanced at him, but he seemed
quite in control. Good, she thought. They’d sorted out a few things between
them about work and that should be their main focus.

           
Rita was a tall, slender woman with
lots of auburn hair. The black patent high heels she wore with her green tweed
suit made her even taller. She had been married twice and divorced twice.
Serena thought Rita seemed nervier after each occurrence.

           
Rita gave Serena a surprised look
when she introduced Nick, then shot out her hand and smiled in her best real
estate manner. “I’m so pleased to meet you, Nick. I know you’re Serena’s
co-host on her new show. Unfortunately I’ve only seen the commercials, as I
work most evenings.”

           
Nick shook her hand. “I understand.
It’s also my pleasure.”

           
They sat in the same booth in the
pub that Serena and Nick had shared the first night they were together. Serena
could barely believe that night was only about a week ago. So much had happened
to her.

           
Rita nudged her side. “People are
staring at us.”

           
Serena glanced around. They were
being stared at. But of course they would be. It made sense. Their show had
debuted last night. “It’s the nature of the business. You recognized Nick.”

           
Rita whispered. “Who
wouldn’t.
You’re so lucky.”

           
Was she?

           
Rita glanced at her watch. “We’d
better order. I’ve got an hour and a half before I have to meet a client.”

           
Nick didn’t set out to charm Rita,
but Serena saw it happen, as it did with most women. Even Serena enjoyed the
conversation, the salads and Cajun-style grilled chicken, and realized she
could relax with Nick—sometimes.

           
Over coffee Nick said, “Rita, I
understand you used to room with a woman who had a relationship with a
prisoner.”

           
Serena could have thrown her water,
ice and all, over his head.

           
“I did,” Rita said, “But we’ve lost
track of her.”

           
Nick looked at Serena with one of
his cool, journalistic gazes. “You didn’t tell me you’d lost track of her?”

           
“We haven’t really, have we, Rita?
We know where her brother is.”

           
Rita glanced at Serena. “I didn’t
know this was an interview.”

           
“It’s not. Nick, stop it. I didn’t
invite you to lunch. You invited yourself. And Rita really has nothing to do
with my story.”

           
“Story?” Rita asked.

           
“I suggested a program on Angela
because she’d been in love with a criminal.”

           
“I thought you just wanted to see
her again?”

           
“I do. But I also wanted to see if
she’ll be willing to be interviewed.”

           
“About the creep she said she
loved?”

           
“Was he a creep?” Nick asked.

           
“I never met him, but I was pretty
upset with Angela for being involved with him. Although I don’t think he was a
real hard core case. He was on a manslaughter charge, and there was always some
question about the killing being accidental, because it was during a hunting
expedition.” Rita turned her head to Serena. “You know my thoughts on hunters.
My father was one, and I hated him killing animals. I wouldn’t eat anything he
brought home. So I figure, well, the guy did us a favor by knocking off another
hunter.”

           
“Rita, that’s a terrible thing to
say.”

           
“I know, but that’s the way I feel.”

           
So
she hasn’t changed much,
Serena thought.
She’d been an activist for just about everything in university. “Then you don’t
know what happened to the guy?”