“Proprietary information from a big Northwest company. That’s what this is all about, intellectual property theft … industrial espionage.”
“I’m writing about Russian gangs. But I’ve gotten an earful about the Russian mob. Are they the ones doing the dirty work?”
“Yeah, they’re also responsible for, shall we say, eliminating inconvenient people. Two back East, another couple in California. Sam Richardson has one here … ”
“The Nike guy? So that’s what Amanda was hinting around about. I couldn’t figure it out.”
“Well, I’m going to come right out and ask — can we get you to hold the story? We might be close to getting the guy who’s the local contact with the Russian mob but if your piece hits the streets, it could blow us out of the water. And, not that I’m trying to guilt you into doing it, but I have a big fat target on my back because the guy thinks I have something he wants.”
“Right. Not that you’re trying to guilt me into anything.”
“Seriously, is there any way you can back-burner your story? Give us room to maneuver and I promise you I’ll talk to you first when it’s settled and you’ll get first crack at the Portland Police Bureau team, too.”
“This is way beyond my pay grade. I’ll have to talk to my editor. But if he agrees, you’ll owe me, big time. Trying to fill that news hole won’t be fun.”
“I know. I don’t know how, but I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
Margo was home when Fiona called to report her editor had said he was inclined to err on the side of publication but he’d talk to his publisher and get back to them. Margo thanked her profusely and gave Fiona Sam’s phone number.
Half an hour later, Sam called to report success. Ben Stein had reluctantly agreed to hold the story. But if he found out another paper was on the verge of breaking it, he was running it online. It was the best he could offer. Sam took the deal.
Margo was about to hang up when Sam said, “Your friend’s not a lot of fun to be around right now. How’re you doing?”
She sighed. “I’m all right, I guess.”
“Amanda says if you need a sympathetic ear, give her a call. She’s good at keeping her mouth shut and her ears open. That last was me talking, not her.”
“I appreciate the offer.”
“You haven’t asked for any but I’m going to give you a piece of advice, counselor. When you have something good, hold on to it. Doesn’t come along very often. Nothing was easy about us but we made it work. And, like I’ve said, if Amanda and I could make it happen … ”
“Anyone can. I remember. Thanks, Sam.”
Chapter 17
Saturday morning Margo decided if she was going to survive the weekend without Tony, she had to do one of two things: work or clean. She’d cleared her desk to keep from thinking about him all week so that left cleaning.
Lots of upbeat music would help. She put on two Alicia Keys CDs and started a load of laundry. The towels in the bathroom with remnants of Tony’s shaving gel and soap went into the washer along with the sheets and the pillowcase that smelled of his cologne. A shirt he’d left got buried in a drawer so she wouldn’t see it every time she opened the closet.