Authors: Melody Snow Monroe
Shit, shit, shit.
Enough was enough. The information was shocking, and the ramifications staggering. It was no wonder some people wanted Rhonda dead.
Mrs. Rosen stepped behind her. “Do you see why I didn’t want to read the letter over the phone?”
“Yes, especially when a security company is involved.” She faced her. “I’ve never looked into the extent of their business. I’m not sure if they do surveillance, but one never knows.”
She wished she could have had Mrs. Rosen read the story on camera, but Jessie feared those responsible for the thefts might come after her, too. Jessie was determined to write the story, even though in her gut she knew her boss would put the kibosh if she did.
“Please contact me if you need anything.”
“Just get the bastards who killed my daughter.”
“I’ll do my best.”
When she got back to the station, she hurried to get the story in its readied form. The evidence against Harman Security was bulletproof. The company was breaking into people’s homes outside of Intrigue, fencing the goods stolen, then sweeping in and offering to put in a security system.
Since they were the thieves, once the system was installed, there were no more break-ins. While being duped was terrible, the mere fact that a person’s house had been violated and his precious possessions taken made her stomach ache. She knew how hard her mom worked for what she had. If she ever lost her television set, it would set her back weeks. No, these people needed to be stopped.
When she was convinced she’d done the best she could with the story, she rushed into Walt’s office. After the report aired, she was sure the police would string up the firm by their scrawny security necks. Finally, she’d get to tell a story the way she wanted.
She waltzed into his office. He looked up. “From the way you’re bouncing, you got something good.”
She’d handed him copies of all the documents. “I have the report ready to air.” She expected his eyes to shine and a rare smile to cross his face. Instead he scowled.
“You know damned well we can’t air this.” He shoved the pages back at her.
Her heart flipped. “Why not? Harman is
stealing
from people.” It wasn’t a case of a restaurant being dirty or women being taken advantage of. This was way worse. “Not only are they taking goods, but they’re stealing people’s faith in humanity.” Her body vibrated as her blood pressure rose.
“Harman is our biggest sponsor.”
“I know, but in this case, it shouldn’t matter. They are breaking the law.”
“That’s the way of corporate America.”
Bullshit
. “So what you’re saying is that money is more powerful than the truth?”
“Sad as it might seem, that’s the case.”
He was wrong on so many levels. “If you won’t let me air this, I’ll take it to the
Intrigue Sun
, and then to the cops.”
“Then I’ll fire you.”
Her heart stopped. If she didn’t tell, she’d be an accessory to a crime. But if she said nothing, she’d be safe.
“You can’t do that.”
“Let’s be reasonable.” He picked up his pen and twirled it over his knuckles. “I think you’re overreacting here. Maybe the transition from Denver to here has been difficult for you. Why don’t you take a few days off? Go see your friends in Colorado.” He pulled out his drawer and extracted a checkbook. “In fact, the station will pay for your food and board for the weekend.”
“You’re trying to buy my silence?” She barely could speak the words.
“You know better than that. I can see you’re agitated and need a break. I want to help, that’s all.”
“What’s the bottom line here, Ich…Walt?”
“Drop the story. If you persist, young lady, I’ll see you don’t work in this state again. You have until tomorrow morning to tell me your decision.”
This job was the last link to success. Before she said anything she might regret, she turned and left. Tears spilled over her lashes, but she brushed them away. She had to get out of there. This wasn’t the end. Or was it?
She picked up her purse and rushed out, needing to think things through. She really wanted to expose the truth about a company that was stealing from potential clients. What they were doing was wrong, but if she went to the cops or to the newspaper, she’d lose her job.
She’d been poor and could never go there again. On her way home, she picked up a dinner from the Eatery. Cooking was the last thing on her mind. Maybe she’d have a nice glass of wine and a soak in the tube. There had to be something she could do and not end up in the unemployment line.
She sat on her sofa watching some mindless show on TV in her nightgown and robe when the doorbell rang. She hadn’t spoken with either Cody or Shane today. There was no way she could explain her situation and not get in trouble with them.
The bell rang again, followed by a knock. “We know you’re in there.”
That was Shane’s voice. She stood, wrapped the robe belt around her middle, and opened the door. Even the flowers in Cody’s hands and the grins on their faces couldn’t lift her out of her funk.
“Come on in.”
Cody picked her up and swung her around. “Our woman seems to be down. What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
Shane ran a tender hand down her arm. “You’re upset about something. Tell us.”
She couldn’t hide her problems forever. “You want something to drink?”
Cody’s glance caught the wine bottle. “We’ll have what you’re having.”
She poured each of them a glass of wine. “Okay, I can tell you a little bit, but I’m not giving you details.”
She basically outlined the fact that she had a story in which a crime was being committed. “If I go to the police, or tell you, Cody, Walt will fire me.” She then told them that Walt had tried to buy her silence.
They didn’t ask for details and threw out possible suggestions for the next five minutes.
Cody shook his head. “There’s no way out other than to go to the cops.”
She couldn’t do that. They understood that she’d lose her job, but did they realize that by going on unemployment, her mom would be affected, too?
“I know I should, but it’s hard.”
Cody wrapped his arms around her. “We want what’s best for you.”
“Losing my job isn’t in my best interest.”
He leaned back. “You are a truth seeker. That’s what we love about you. Why change now?”
“You know why.”
“We know you. You won’t be able to live with yourself if you don’t do the right thing. The guilt will eat away at you.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t help.”
Cody stood, then Shane. “I wish we could make the decision for you, but it’s up to you. Sleep on it.” He kissed her forehead.
She could read between the lines. If she didn’t give up Harman Security, neither Cody nor Shane would love her again. “How about if this is the last time I cave?”
Shane stepped over. “Trust me when I say it will happen again. This is the third time. You need to make a decision about your future.”
They were right. “I’ll try.”
He squatted in front of her and took her hands in his. “Both Cody and I try to do what’s right. It’s never easy. We can’t let our needs or feelings get in the way of the truth.” He shrugged. “The Jessie we knew and loved used to fight for everything. You were the champion of the underdog. In your heart, you still are.” He let go of her hands and swiped a palm down his jaw. “You hated the establishment at one time. What happened to that woman?”
There went that
love
word again. Clearly, Shane didn’t mean it or they wouldn’t have been so harsh now. “Ask anything of me, but just don’t ask me to be poor. That’s not who I am anymore.”
“You’re right. You’re a journalist with an amazing talent. You do have possessions, but possessions don’t make the woman. We love you for who you are, and always will, but this isn’t you.”
One again, they were right. This wasn’t who she was deep inside. But damn, it wasn’t easy being true to oneself.
He nodded to Cody, and they both walked out.
If the ceiling had fallen or an earthquake had shaken the building, she wouldn’t have noticed. So numb she couldn’t move, Jessie remained more depressed than before. The choice was simple. Keep her job or lose the two men she loved. They didn’t say that, but that was what they meant. Tears streamed down her face and her body turned cold.
It was Cody and Shane who didn’t know what they wanted. If she were dirt-poor, they’d never love her. It would be like in high school all over again. Rich men didn’t love poor girls. She was in a no-win situation. The sages always said that when a person hit rock bottom, the only way was up.
They were dead wrong.
Chapter Thirteen
Jessie kept flipping the channels on the television all night long. Nothing held her attention. She debated her dilemma for hours. She’d even taken out a piece of paper, drawn a line down the center, and listed the pros and cons of each choice. While not telling on those criminals could result in jail time and have her begging for food, it was the thought of never being with Shane and Cody again that was the deciding factor.
Around 7:00 a.m., she put on jeans and a T-shirt, gathered the incriminating evidence, and drove to the police department. Fortunately, Chief Strong was there.
“Hey, Jessie. Sorry, we still haven’t figured out who set the fire at the Tanner house.”
“I know who did it.”
Her tone must have been flat because he rushed over to the other side of the desk and pulled up a chair for her.
“Who?”
She handed him the proof that Harman Security was breaking into homes and stealing their goods. Rhonda Tanner was the secretary to the President of Harman Security. She had transcripts of conversations proving that the president had orchestrated all of the criminal activities.
“This is hard to believe,” the chief said.
“I know. I tried to get Walt to air this, but he refused. He told me if I told the paper or the police that I’d be fired.” She shook her head and a chuckle escaped. “I haven’t slept all night.”
“You were right in coming here.”
“I know, but the truth doesn’t pay my bills.”
“You’ll find something. Hell, maybe you should apply here. You’d make a great investigator.”
She appreciated that he was trying to help. “Thanks.”
Cleaning out her desk was the last thing she wanted to do, but she owed it to the station to let them know she was resigning. When she filled out her next résumé, it would look better to state she quit rather than got fired.
Walt floated by, looked at her, and continued on his way. Since she hadn’t said anything, he probably figured she was cool with the cover-up. After all, she let the Burger Haus lack of sanitation story disappear in the wind, and she didn’t pursue Lysner’s Automotive scam either. She kept waiting to see the exposé in the paper, but so far there’d been nothing. She thought Cody had written the stories. He was probably waiting for her to wise up and quit. Well, he’d get his chance now.
She typed up her resignation and walked into Walt’s office. He looked up, but kept his hands on the keyboard. “Yes? Got something juicy I can actually use today?”