Tin Man's Dance (Kissing Bridge Series Book 1) Page 11
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“My clients are ready to tell their story. I’m handling their civil case.”
“Isn’t there a gag order to prevent them from speaking out?”
“No, there never was. There was a different reason they remained anonymous.”
“What?”
Lanie laughed, shaking her head. “Do you honestly think I would throw down my cards like that?”
Kyle sighed in frustration. “So what are you saying, Miss Lanie? You’re offering me an interview in return for my help? Quid pro quo?”
Lanie didn’t directly answer his question. Like a good lawyer, she skirted around the issue, stimulating his interest just enough so he didn’t insist on an answer. “I’ve been working with them a long time, and they trust me. There are certain things you can’t ask, but if you follow my instructions, you can have the scoop.”
“It’s pretty fucked-up that you’d sell out your clients for a chance to maybe make it onto some guy’s radar.”
She breathed an irritated sigh, showing at least one of Kyle’s statements had its intended effect. “First off, Brad is not some guy. He’s the guy…at least for me. Secondly, I’m not selling them out at all. They are going public anyway. Their story is inspirational and tragic, and people need to know it. I think you’d do a good job telling it.”
“And if I don’t help you?”
“I like your work. It’s good, but Thomas Watkins’s work is equally impressive, and I’m sure he’ll agree to my terms.” At the mention of Watkins, Kyle downed his second drink and motioned for a third.
“Oh…so Thomas Watkins will help you sink your hooks into Brad? I didn’t know they knew each other.”
“No, not those terms, but he’ll respect what’s off the record.”
“I don’t make the news. I just report it.”
“Bullshit. You can still report it and respect my clients at the same time.”
“Like you are? Selling them out by bribing me?”
Lanie actually looked offended. He had insulted her looks, her mental stability, and her personality without any reproach from her. Yet mention her integrity and she was upset. Lawyers…go figure.
“I’m not selling them out. I’ve read everything you’ve written and researched the hell out of it. Barbara Walters wants this interview and Oprah’s willing to come out of retirement, but I want you to tell it. And it’s not just because you’ll help me, but I know you’ll do a good job. This story requires the thoughtfulness that only the written word can provide and the integrity that a diligent newspaperman like you can offer. I’m doing this case pro bono, and my main goal is to protect them while making sure that the parties responsible are held accountable. If I fail in the physical courtroom, then at least we can prevail in the court of public opinion.”
Kyle was impressed by Lanie’s speech, although he tried not to show it. “Nice sermon, but we both know you are no Mother Teresa.”
“No, not her, but if a comparison were to be made, I would associate myself with Gandhi.” This time Kyle did choke on his drink. He gaped at her with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. “After all, we are both lawyers,” she said, smiling brightly.
Kyle laughed heartily, appreciating her joke. She was assertive and mousy, but at the same time, she definitely had a sense of humor. Lanie Carmichael was a total paradox in his book.
“Sorry, Counselor, you make a good argument, but I’m not selling out my buddy.”
“You wouldn’t be. Like I said, I’m not out to do anything malicious. I know I’ve intrigued you enough that you’re considering it.”
“Why do you say that?”
Lanie leaned in closer to Kyle, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Because this story is the road to the Pulitzer, something you covet very badly. I’m willing to bet that just the idea of this story is making you harder than the blonde at the bar.”
Kyle shifted uncomfortably, wondering if her powers of observation materialized from reading minds. He was genuinely thinking of her insane offer, and it made him feel guilty. After all, he wasn’t deceitful. He was a sex addict, but he was always honest with the girls he slept with, and he thought himself a decent friend. The fact that he was even out with this girl proved that on some level.
He turned to her, deciding he’d heard enough. “Listen, psycho, there’s no way I’m helping you. Really, the most decent thing I can do is burst your insanely large bubble. Stop kidding yourself. As nice as Brad is to you, he’ll never be into you. He likes women who are soft, curvaceous, and…well, feminine. You make the average librarian look like a runway model. It’s a damn shame that you’re not pretty like I’m sure your sister is. It’s worse that you weren’t even blessed with a good personality.” She remained stone-faced while he said it, which just irked him. “By the way, 1980 called and wants its shoulder pads back.” Kyle ended his tirade by slamming his glass down.
To his disappointment, she didn’t flinch, and her lower lip didn’t quiver. He had expected her to be in tears by now. Instead, she did the most astonishing thing of the night. She started laughing. Not a sarcastic or uncomfortable laugh, but a throaty, good-natured laugh as if they were sharing a joke.
“Well, no kidding, Sherlock. I planned to give myself a makeover, silly! That’s one of the things I hope you can help me with. And trust me, I’m not really this aggressive.”
“Then you’re a damn good actress,” Kyle grumbled with irritation.
“This is business, and I’m a professional. I have to act this way. Otherwise, you’d never take me seriously”—she held a hand up to Kyle’s open mouth to quiet him—“and despite what you’re about to say, I know you’re taking me seriously. I’m blunt and brash because I have to be at work. Unfortunately, I’m pretty lost when it comes to personal stuff.”
“Shocker,” Kyle whispered, wishing for another drink.
Lanie stood, walked over to get her purse, and pulled out a few bills from her wallet. “I’ll pay for your dinner,” Kyle offered, realizing what little chivalry he had was creeping up despite his repulsion for this girl. He was being a total jerk and felt somewhat remorseful, but it upset him even more that her reaction was so strange.
“No, I’ll pay for yours. It’s the least I can do after I’ve distracted you from the leggy blonde all night.” She turned and looked toward the bar. “By the way, the Bears lost like I said, but the blonde’s still here. Good luck to you.” She put on her coat and gathered her large purse.
Kyle almost said good luck back to her, but then he realized how absurd that sounded.
“I’m telling Brad to get a restraining order on you.”
She shrugged. “Go ahead. I’m a damn good lawyer, and it’s your word against mine. Besides, I know I’ve piqued your interest tonight.”
“You haven’t piqued anything.”
“Keep telling yourself that, but we both know it’s not true. When she’s crying out your name”—Lanie gestured to the leggy blonde—“you’ll be crying out Pulitzer.”
With that, she smiled sweetly and waved goodbye. “Call me.”
She walked off, leaving Kyle speechless, rattling the ice cubes in his empty glass.
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MK Schiller
Stories about love and other four-letter words
Not knowing a word of English, MK Schiller came to America at the age of four from India. Since
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