“Mr. Ellis, this is Janie Reynolds.”
“Janie!” His gruff tone immediately grew softer and noticeably more excited. “I was hoping to hear from you today. Did you get the voicemail I left for you this morning?”
“I saw you called but haven’t had a chance to listen to your message,” she answered truthfully. “I’m sorry I didn’t call before now.”
“No apologies needed, my dear. Although, I will say, I’m hoping this means you’ve decided to become a part of our family here at the Post.”
She smiled. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I have a counteroffer of sorts.”
A small pause ensued before Ellis’ voice struck her ear again. “Which is?”
“I have a story I’d like to pursue, and I was hoping to have the Post’s backing.”
“A story?” He sounded surprised. “What story?”
Here’s where it gets tricky.
“The details are still a bit up in the air,” Janie told him. “And to be honest, I don’t feel comfortable speculating based off what I do know as of yet. But I can assure you, the story is real, it’s local, and it’s already starting to grow teeth. I just need a little more time to look into things before I’m ready to share more.”
“Let me get this straight.” The man’s tone held a hint of amusement and bewilderment. “You’re in town for all of four days, and already you’ve stumbled upon a story you claim has merit?”
“It’s not a claim, David. I’m telling you, this is front page, above the fold news.”
Ellis paused. “I thought you said the details were still up in the air.”
“I’m following my gut, and my gut is never wrong.”
So far, anyway.
“Your gut, huh?” The man’s low chuckle filled the phone’s speaker. “Well if there’s one thing I’ve learned from this job, it’s that a reporter’s gut can turn a story into gold.”
Janie’s lips curved upward. “I was hoping you’d see it that way.”
“You know, you still haven’t told me about this counteroffer of yours.”
Here goes nothing.
“Give me a few weeks to dig into this thing more to see what I can come up with. Once I have proof of my suspicions, I’ll fill you in, and you can decide.”
“Decide on what, exactly?”
“How much the Post is willing to pay for the exclusive publishing rights to the initial story. And trust me,David, you’re going to want this story. But if not, no harm, no foul. I’m sure I won’t have any trouble finding a different outlet to publish.”
This isn’t my first rodeo, Ellis. You want the goods; you’d better be willing to pay.
Janie wasn’t a greedy person in the least, but she also wasn’t stupid. Something as massive as a missing White House intern would bring with it professional and financial security that would typically be years in the making.
For someone who currently worked for herself, a safety net like that wasn’t only desired. It was essential.
“You seem quite confident that this story of yours is going to pan out.”
“Because I am.” She truly was. “So . . . what do you say?”
The sound of Ellis releasing a long, slow breath reached Janie’s ears. “I’ll give you a week, and then you’ve got to give me a bite as soon as you have something solid.”
“Make it three. Oh, and I’m gonna need a place to stay during that time.” She glanced around the room. “I’m thinking I should just stay here. You know, since I’m already unpacked and all that.”
Another nerve-cinching pause passed before he came back with his final offer.
