“It’s a he,” said William as he leaned back in his comfortable leather seat. “And Bobby’s right. It’s a sports legend.”
Bobby was always right in William’s eyes, as far as Sloane was concerned. And she didn’t like it. “Who is it?” she asked.
“Al Rawlings,” William said.
Sloane had never heard of him before. Bobby could hardly believe it. “Al Rawlings? He’s number forty-six? Why he doesn’t have a blemish to his name.”
“He will have quite a massive blemish if we can’t settle the case.”
“But settle it how?” asked Sloane. “He’s accused of rape. That’s a criminal offense.”
“But she hasn’t gone to the cops yet. And we don’t want her to go to the cops. We don’t want any of this public. His lawyers are privately negotiating with her lawyers to avoid any criminal filing, but we are the public relations wing of the team. We have to move as if there will be a trial. That’s why we need to do everything in our power to keep Al’s name in the public eye. We have to remind the public, and more specifically the jury pool, of what a good guy he is and all the good work he’s doing.”
Bobby looked at Sloane. She pulled out her iPad. “What’s the plan?” Bobby asked William. “The airways?”
“Start there, yes. Get every major sports figure we have in our rolodex on the airways. I want them to trumpet Al’s virtues, not just as a sports hero, but as a father and husband and an all-around great guy. I also want him to suddenly receive a slew of great service awards.”
Sloane continued writing.
“If his accuser decides to go to the cops,” William said, “then the public will already be digesting a huge dose ofno way he could have raped somebodybullshit. He will need all the goodwill we can manufacture.”
“Got it,” said Sloane.
William pulled out his phone. “I’ll shoot you the list of charities that are more than willing to accept a huge contribution from me in exchange for giving him an award.” He began looking up his charity list.
Bobby smiled. “Anything for the less fortunate,” he said, and they all laughed.
Then Bobby looked at his watch. “That it?”
“We just got one in.” William was still reviewing his charity list on his phone.
“Ah,” said Bobby. “I see why you wanted me to meet your plane.”
“That’s right.”
“Will this new client be a number instead of a name as well?” asked Sloane.
“Nope.”
“Who this time?” asked Bobby.
“Jennifer Greyson.”
“Jennifer Greyson?” Sloane was shocked. She turned around and looked at William. “She’s the number one streaming artist in the country. She’s charting three songs in the Billboard Top Ten right now, including the number one spot.”
“What’s her PR problem?” asked Bobby. He’d never heard of her.
“She’s got a sexual harassment complaint coming down the pike, and she doesn’t want to settle.”
“She doesn’t,” Bobby asked, “or you don’t want her to?”
“Who am I to tell a pop star what to do?” William smiled his best charming smile as he shook his shoulders.
But Bobby wasn’t buying it. “You’re the fixer to the A-listers, that’s who you are! They listen to you. What’s the plan?”
“Dirt,” said William. “Max, I want you and your team to start digging.”
As Max continued to drive, he glanced at William through the rearview mirror. “How deep, Boss?”
