“So?”

“So, why would she want to shut me up? A reporter?”

The shift in Lizbet’s features was subtle, but it was there—the slow dawning of comprehension.

“There’s something there,” Cassie said. “Something she doesn’t want me to know. Either because I’m a reporter, or because I’m tied to Kir.”

“And why would you want to know? You don’t have an outlet to report whatever you learn.”

“Because Ed accused me of using station resources for Kir’s benefit. Implied I haven’t been objective. Neither of those things are true. And while I get they have to think about station credibility and all that, I want a chance to clear my name and prove the work I did while I was here was solid. Wouldn’t you want to do the same?”

Lizbet pinched her lips together. Whether it was because she thought Cassie was crazy and was trying to hold the opinion in, or she agreed with Cassie’s motive and was too afraid to voice it, Cassie couldn’t say.

Either way, Cassie wasn’t giving up. “Do you think I deserved the action they took? Really?”

Gaze sliding to the floor, Lizbet let out a sharp huff. “No.” She straightened her spine and squared her shoulders almost as fast as she’d offered her agreement. “But, be that as it may, I don’t see how this involves me, or why I should tell you anything about my source.”

Inspiration struck. One of those glorious moments of intuition that blossomed in her gut. “Because if what I’m thinking is going on, I’ll give you the story. Everything. All the details and full credit.”

Lizbet’s head snapped back. “Why?”

“Because I’m done with reporting. I don’t need the story, but I do want to clear my name. The best way for me to do that is for the management team to realize they’ve been caught up in a scheme and we were both pawns.”

“You’re done with reporting?”

“Completely. I’m going to do something I really love. Take some time and explore my options.”

The way Lizbet studied her, one would think she’d just grown two heads. “And this Kir guy...does he have anything to do with you being able to take your time?”

Hell, yes, he did. He had everything to do with her life. With her future. “Kir believes in me. He knows I’m good at reporting and he’s proud of what I’ve accomplished, but he also knows I’m in the business for all the wrong reasons. He wants me to do something I love and be happy.”

In the time she’d known Lizbet, Cassie had seen many sides of her colleague. Focused. Angry. Coy and professional. But in that moment, a soft appreciation settled in her features. She smiled, the gesture marked with sad envy. “You’re a lucky girl. Not all of us get that kind of a chance.”

She regarded Cassie for another moment, then nodded, stood and straightened her jacket. “When Ed called me in the day they let you go, he told me what had happened. He said the tip came from someone at the Midsummer Masquerade.”