She extended her hand, but the sparkle in her eyes defied the barrier she’d created with her stiff arm. He shook it. The familiar and welcomed current traveled up his arm. “Alexandra, good to seeyou.”
“You as well,Crockett.”
“Gavin, welcome to Wilde Innovations.” Crockett shook the cameraman’shand.
“How’ve you been?” Gavinasked.
Crockett shot Alexandra a quick glance. “All things considered, pretty good.You?”
Gavin split his attention between him and Alex, the faintest smile curling his lips. “Doinggreat.”
Crockett then met Gavin’s assistant, Tom, and Millie, the makeupartist.
“We’ll conduct the interviews in the lab,” Crockett said. “Right thisway.”
Alexandra fell in line as he escorted the news team down the hall. “You look beautiful, Ms. Reed,” hemurmured.
A pinkish glow colored her cheeks. “Thankyou.”
As they approached the double-etched glass, Decker emerged. No smile. In fact, he greeted everyone with ascowl.
“You’re in good hands with Decker.” Crockett regarded the group. When he eyed Alexandra, her lips curved. “I’ll beback.”
Her smile did it for him, every singletime.
* * *
This interview wasaboutsomething much more important than a ratings winner, so Alexandra would tread lightly where Decker wasconcerned.
Decker rubbed his palms on his worn jeans. “Crockett considers the lab sacred space. We all do, so if a table is covered, it stays covered. If you’re cool with that, in wego.”
Alexandra nodded. “Totally onboard.”
“I’m a look-don’t-touch kinda guy myself,” Gavinsaid.
As soon as Decker received verbal agreement from the others, he heaved open the door and theyentered.
“Great space. Good lighting,” said Gavin. “If it’s alright by you, I’ll set up by the window next to the uncovered table.” After a tight nod from Decker, Gavin and his assistant took off toward thecorner.
Decker’s cool demeanor didn’t concern Alexandra. But she did need him to be in the right frame of mind. Savvy viewers picked up on the slightest nuances and any negativity could tarnish the segment. While this was a feel-good story about a local company with international reach, she wanted the audience to understand the true motivation behind everything the teamcreated.
First up, Crockett’s Vice President of Operations, Natalie Floyd. She breezed through makeup and settled into the chair across from Alexandra. Poised, personable, and intelligent, Natalie’s no-nonsense but congenial answers set the stage. Alexandra liked her strong work ethic and quickwit.
Though Decker agreed to be interviewed, his guarded nature made him appear as if he was either trying to hide something or he didn’t like being in front of the camera. Alexandra continued to ask open-ended questions until she elicited Decker’s driving motivation. His loyalty toCrockett.
“I started working for Crockett as an intern while I was an undergrad at Maryland,” Decker said. “I have the freedom to be as creative as my imagination will allow. Crockett and I don’t always agree, but we find common ground and go fromthere.”
Interviewing Decker gave Alexandra insight into Crockett’s right-hand man and, while she didn’t appreciate his chilly demeanor, she understood it. Decker Daughtry was Crockett’s friend and greatestally.
Next up was Crockett’s assistant, Ellen. She kept wringing her hands and pursing her lips while Millie applied her makeup. By the time Ellen settled into the hot seat, she’d turned a pastygreen.
“I can’t do this,” Ellen whispered. “I don’t even like having my picturetaken.”
“Why don’t we chat for a few?” Alexandra asked. “No camera, no interview. Tell me aboutyourself.”
Ellen shot Gavin a furtive glance. “What about yourcameraman?”
Gavin moseyed over. “I’ll watch the playback while you two ladies getacquainted.”
