—WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS RECENT TROUBLES WITH THE LAW, PINES SAID THE MEDIA WAS “CRUCIFYING” HIM.

“Wait,” Cal interrupted again. “Didn’t he say you were crucifying him?”

“Yeah, and I’m a member of the media.”

He shook his head. “You have a way with words.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m not sure that was a compliment,” Allie pointed out.

“Quiet. I can’t concentrate with all this talking.”

PINES IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS AFTERNOON ON CHARGES OF POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. ALL PINES HAD TO SAY? “IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.”

“Pines said the magazines were an accident?” Allie asked.

“Well, not exactly. But, he did say those words during our interview.” I didn’t mention that they were in reference to Mullins’s overdose.

“They’re out of context? That’s so unethical.”

“That’s how we do it at the Informer.”

Cal shook his head, mumbling something about journalistic integrity. Allie just stared at the screen, her nose permanently crinkled.

“When did you get this interview?” she asked.

“Today.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Felix said we were supposed to work together on this story. Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“I’m telling you now.”

“And if I hadn’t wandered over here? Whose name would have been on the byline?”

“Both of ours?” I said. Though it came out more like a question. One that did nothing to convince Allie of my honorable intentions.

Probably because I didn’t have any.

She stuck her hands on her round hips and narrowed her big blue eyes at me.

“Look, I know you don’t like me very much.”

I opened my mouth to protest.

“Spare me,” she said, plowing ahead. “I’m not stupid. I can feel you shooting daggers at me from across the room.”

I shut my mouth. What can I say? Subtlety was not one of my finer points.

“That’s fine,” she went on. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make news. Pines is big news, and you’re not blowing this story for me. Not by printing half-truths and quotes that may or may not be taken completely out of context. From now on, I want to hear the context myself. I’m going with you next time you talk to Pines.”

“Like hell you are.”

She thrust her chest out toward me in a combative stance. “Oh, I am. Or I’m going to Felix.”

I ground my teeth together. While being shadowed by Barbie sounded about as pleasant as a root canal, I knew she had me. I was on shaky ground with the boss as it was. Any shakier, and I just might find myself replaced entirely by Miss Jugs.

“Fine,” I finally spat out. “Two o’clock. Before the trial. I’m meeting Pines at the courthouse.”