The Stopover (The Miles High Club 1)

“Because the reporters that we are paying for are working for our competition,” Tristan snaps.

“We tested the theory this week. We got Emily to write a bogus story and submit it through the regular channels, and look.” I hit the paper with the backs of my fingers. “Here it is, page three of the Gazette.”

They all stare at the paper in front of us, deep in thought.

“So . . . what do we do?”

“Firing everyone works for me,” I snap.

“No, we have to do this properly. There are a hundred people on that floor. Not to mention IT and the mailroom.”

The boys break into chatter as they discuss our options.

I push my intercom. “Can we get Richard from legal up here, please?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Should Emily write another story so we can track it more closely?” Elliot asks.

“No,” I snap. “I don’t want her involved again. I don’t want her up here at all.

”

Tristan smirks.

“I’m going to wipe that stupid smirk off your face in a minute,” I snap.

“Scared she’s going to give you another hickey?” Elliot jokes. “Must have some pretty good suction going on.”

They all laugh.

I glare at him. “Cut the shit. I’m not in the fucking mood for this today.”

There is a knock on the door. “Come in,” I call. Richard comes into view. “Please take a seat.”

“How can I help you?” He smiles.

“We have reason to believe that someone on the news floor is selling our stories to a competitor. How do we legally handle this?”

Richard frowns as he looks between us. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Well.” He exhales as he thinks. “You would hire a corporate investigation firm.”

“What do they do?” I ask.

“They are business-centric and can involve verifying the legitimacy of a business partner or deal, looking into loss or theft of proprietary information, identifying the potential of a damaged reputation, things like that.”

“No,” I say as I stand. “I don’t want a stranger in here sniffing around. What if the story breaks? It will do more damage to our reputation.”

“With all due respect, Jameson, I don’t see how you have any other choice,” Richard says.

“Do you know any?” Tristan asks.

“No. But I can find out who to use.”

“I don’t like it.”