Night Owl (The Complete Serial)

“Sweetheart, this is Elroy Fens. He is one of the assistant directors on the board.”

“Come now, James. We’re much closer than that.” I hate that I know exactly where this is going and queasiness fills my stomach. “I’m actually a cousin. Our grandfathers were brothers, twins born just minutes apart.” I watch Elroy hold her hand. It makes my skin crawl, so I can’t imagine what Casey must be feeling. Elroy wasn’t always an annoying shit growing up, but as we got older he changed, and jealously fueled him becoming a colossal dick.

“As long as you’re not the kissing kind.” Casey pulls her hand back, and Elroy snickers rudely.

“Hardly, my dear. However, from what I hear, you’ll let James kiss anything.” Casey gasps at his crude comment and I step between them, my anger barely leashed.

“Enough with the family history lessons, Elroy. Let’s get this meeting over with.” Casey looks ready to flee or fight, so I pull her firmly against me under my arm. I should let her loose, but it wouldn’t look good for either of us. Plus, I don’t want to feed into Elroy’s little game, whatever that might be.

“James.” Tucker nods, dressed in a suit and tie with his legal counsel present. Only then does it occur to me that I should have gotten someone for Casey.

“Tucker.” Our greeting is stilted and I can’t say I totally blame the guy. He’s sporting a nasty bruise around his neck that I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for.

“We’ll get this sorted out, Casey.” Tucker touches Casey’s arm in a friendly gesture and she smiles back, nodding. Tucker looks at me over her head shaking his no. I realize he has no idea who planted the tape any more than I do. Our formal meet-and-greet is interrupted by my legal team entering the room.

“Mr. Austin, I see you’re ready to use our retainer fee.” Conner Dolby draws the room’s attention back to the focus at hand. “Everyone, have a seat and let’s get started.” We’re joined by the senior partner, Charles Dunbar, and some intern from my PR/Marketing department, who I’m about to promote for not being a judgmental dick right now.

“Before we begin, Miss Cole should we be calling HR down here?”

“What for?” My temper flares.

“For sexual harassment.” Mr. Dolby states the obvious giving Casey a kinder glance and eyeing me with disapproval.

“No. James didn’t force me or coerce me if that’s what you’re implying.” I watch her eyes dart anywhere but at the people in the room looking down.

She murmurs heat coloring her face, “It was all consensual.” My lawyer nods reserving whatever thoughts he has on subject to himself.

As Conner Dolby tosses a file on the table, his secretary joins us to take notes and bring coffee, which we all refuse. “So… Would you like to explain to me how a ten second clip of a sex tape aired over the radio?” Silence meets the room and eyes dart back and forth, settling over Casey.

“I need to know what happened so I can protect the station’s assets. Miss Cole, can you elaborate on this.”

“Yes, please enlighten us all.” Elroy sneers and we lock eyes in a silent showdown.

“I, uh… I answered a call and the caller requested a song, which Tucker played. We didn’t… I didn’t know what it was until about five seconds in.” Casey is red-faced and I’m sick because I know Elroy is looking for any reason to oust me from my own company at the expense of her career.

“And you were unaware that this tape contained lewd and offensive material, during which my client, Mr. Austin, was performing certain… oral acts?”

“Enough, Dolby. We get the idea.” My fist is clenched so hard, I want to hit something, namely Elroy, who is sniggering inappropriately.

“I-I didn’t know,” she whispers.

“I didn’t know, either. I only followed the directions Casey gave me,” Tucker chimes in, adjusting his tie.

“I’ll get to you in a minute, Mr. Tillman.” Dolby flips through some papers. “The issue is this. When complaints are being made, the FCC can indiscriminately decide what to fine and how. Someone was nice enough to provide a recording of what was played and they are formulating their case as we speak.”

Casey leans forward. “What does that mean?”

“Who provided the recording?” I ask and Dolby nods acknowledging me but not answering our questions.

“It means they can fine the station anywhere from $350,000 dollars up to a three million dollar cap. Half of which, according to your contract, you are responsible for paying, Miss Cole.”

“It’s actually a two million dollar fine for ten seconds on air. The board was notified early this morning,” Elroy pipes up, smiling offensively.

Casey stands up, fingertips grazing the table with nervous taps. I try to take her hand and nudge her back down to her seat, but she deflects me. “Oh, my god… We didn’t… I didn’t…”

“Sit down, Miss Cole. That’s exactly why we are here today. So we can see what, if anything can be done to fight these sanctions.”

“What options do we have while this is being investigated?” I’m far from being done with this matter. Someone did this to Casey, and I was going to fucking find out who and why… if it was supposed to be a direct hit to me through her, god help the guilty party.