Read After All for Free Online

more broad in scope was the way he put it.”
    “ But, Nathan, the closest
Jennifer will get to poor neighborhoods is to speed past them on
her way to the tanning salon,” Michelle retorted.
    “ I'll review leads and make
sure we get some of those stories, too. I promise. But this isn't
my call, you know that.” Nathan cupped her elbow and led her out to
his office.
    “ Thank you, Nathan.” Jason
waved them out of his office in gestured that indicated no further
discussion was warranted or desired.
    Back in Nathan's office, Michelle paced
the narrow area between his desk and the door. “I worked hard for
this. I deserved to be given a shot.”
    “ I know you did, but calm
down. You've got some pretty good assignments, remember? That
Housing Authority story for one. My gut tells me it's going to be
big. A career maker. The kind of story investigative reporters
dream of.”Nathan sat heavily in his old swivel chair.
    She gave a heavy sigh.”You may be
right.”Michelle stood still and rubbed her chin wearing a
thoughtful expression.”But it's going to take time to dig it out.
It's like an iceberg, most of it's hidden beneath the surface.” She
switched gears as the spark of her ambition was fanned.
    Nathan leaned his elbows on the desk.
“Yeah, but think of the pay off. My guy at the DA's office says
they just put another investigator on it.”
    “ Sure, but they could decide
there isn't enough evidence to move on. So while I'm chasing a
possibility, as promising as it may seem now, Jennifer will be
flashing her pearly white fangs once a week like clockwork.”
Michelle let out a dispirited groan.
    “ Yeah, but with the inside
track you'll have on the Housing Authority story, you could get an
exclusive from the DA. Now, stop bitching, Toussaint. Get out there
and do your job.”Nathan had spent more time being supportive than
he usually was with reporters, but now his patience was exhausted.
He crossed to the door and swung it open.
    “ You're right. After all,
tomorrow's another day.”Michelle parodied Scarlet O'Hara's last
line.
    “ That's the spirit. Now
go.”Grinning, Nathan jerked a thumb towards the
newsroom.
     
    ***
     
    “ Thanks for coming with me
to this thing.”Michelle Pulled the shawl up around her shoulders.
Despite the cool October night, it kept her warm.
    “ Are you kidding? This place
is gonna be ground zero for all the fine looking African-American
professional males within a fifty mile radius.”Laree tugged at her
form fitting dress as she struggled to get out of Michelle's sporty
Mustang.
    “ They will be with their
wives, fiancés and girlfriends. So don't get your hopes too
high.”
    “ Get real, relationships
begin and end every day. Just step back and watch me work my
magic.”Laree pulled the matching coat to her dress around her
shoulders.
    “ You ought to be ashamed,
girl.” Michelle said, laughing as Laree swung her hips.
    As they entered the banquet hall, both
scanned the crowd. The tickets purchased were to benefit the local
Big Buddy program sponsored by a coalition of African-American
churches and businessmen.
    Laree let out a low whistle of
appreciation.”I have never seen so many furs and diamonds in one
room. Look, there's Maureen Clarence-Harrington. Oh, and Shirley
Aucoin. Making the rounds so everybody can see their
jewelry.”
    “ Yeah. These kinds of see
and be seen happenings really bore me. If it wasn't to benefit such
a great program, believe me I wouldn't be here,” Michelle muttered
in an undertone so as not to be overheard by the others seated at
their table.
    “ Sugar, I'm sorry Dosu had
to be out of town. But I'm happy for me. Hi there. Hello.”Laree
waved gaily at several acquaintances at nearby tables, one of which
was a handsome man who was quite dashing in a dark gray
tux.
    “ Laree, don't you see that
woman next to him? She's giving us a dirty look,” Michelle
whispered.
    “ That's Theron Mackey. He's
been divorced for a year and he's fair