Cruel (The Buck Boys Heroes 2)

“What’s that?”

“What’s your connection to Kavan Bane?” His eyes narrow. “There must be a reason why he chose you to handle this assignment.”

I could confess that Kavan saved me from a mugger a few weeks ago, but I want Mr. Marks to focus on my talents as a journalist, not on some random encounter in an alley.

“He didn’t say,” I answer honestly.

Mr. Marks drums his fingers over the top of his desk. “When Mr. Rothe contacted me, he insisted that the article focus on the future of Bane Enterprises and Kavan’s vision to turn the company around. I want to make my wishes clear to you, Juliet.”

I perk up in my seat. My back goes ramrod straight. “What are your wishes, sir?”

He leans forward. “Kavan Bane killed his father five years ago, and every journalist in this country has been on the hunt for an exclusive with the man.”

Tension grips my shoulders because I know where this discussion is headed.

Mr. Marks locks his eyes on mine. “I believe that you have the skill to shift the focus from Bane Enterprises to Kavan’s story.”

I hold up a hand in objection. “Sir, Mr. Bane made it very clear that the subject of his father’s death is off-limits.”

“You have been given an opportunity that people with decades more experience than you have been fighting for,” he explains in an even tone. “It’s your job to push the envelope, Juliet. Get him to open up. Convince him that this is his opportunity to set the record straight.”

“I don’t believe he wants to set the record straight.”

“He does,” he says with conviction as if he has access to Mr. Bane’s private thoughts. “Anyone in that man’s position would want that.”

Feeling cornered, I struggle to find the right words. “Sir…Mr. Marks… I’m not sure that Mr. Bane will allow me to continue the interview process if I push him on anything personal. He was steadfast when he told me that the circumstances surrounding his father’s death are off-limits.”

“Juliet, this is your chance to prove that you are worthy of a senior position.” He glances past me to the open door of his office.

Even though it’s Saturday evening, many people are in the building, including on this floor. The news never stops.

“I understand that,” I assure him.

“Keep this to yourself, but I’ve promoted Courtney Cooper to a position with our London bureau. She’ll make the move six weeks from now.”

I try to hide the surprise that I’m feeling.

Courtney Cooper has been the face and voice of the morning news on Rise and Shine for more than two years. It’s the most popular national morning news program.

“That’s incredible for her,” I say, wondering why he’s telling me the new direction Courtney’s career is taking.

“And for you,” he whispers.

“For me?” I ask with skepticism. “How so?”

“If you nail this interview, Juliet, and get an exclusive on the night Ares Bane died, you are first in line to fill Courtney’s chair when we start looking for a replacement.”

This feels like a gift and a bribe all wrapped up in a not-so-tidy little bow.

I haven’t even entertained the idea of an on-air position. In the furthest recesses of my mind, I briefly considered that it could be an option years from now after I’d put in my time researching hard-hitting topics.

“I want you to understand that if you don’t nab an exclusive with Kavan about the night his father died, you will still have a position at Marks Creative.”

Why do I feel as though that’s his way of telling me that I may be knocked back down the ladder to RumorMel?

“I’ve been doing this for a very long time, Juliet.” Mr. Marks smiles. “In my experience, when a person like Kavan Bane reaches out to the media, deep down they want to share their story. They may frame it one way, but with compassionate and careful guidance from the journalist, they just may see the light. After all, releasing a burden as heavy as the one he carries could very well change his life.”

“And mine,” I whisper.

“Exactly.” His eyes shine. “Take it slow. Get to know the man from the inside out. A lot can be gained by observing, and since you’ll be by his side gathering research, I believe you’ll deliver an article that we can all agree will benefit everyone.”

An exclusive on the death of Ares Bane from the man accused of his murder will benefit Mr. Marks most of all. It will up his bottom line because he’ll sell a hell of a lot of magazines in print and digitally.

“As I said yesterday, I’m available night and day for you, Juliet.”

My gaze drifts to four framed pictures sitting on a shelf behind him. One is of him and his wife. I recognize her from the many searches of Mr. Marks that I did before I was interviewed for RumorMel.