“Vera’s written a story about a crash we all didn’t pay much attention to when it happened, almost a year ago. I’ll tell you all now what I felt I couldn’t then: I was contacted by the White House about the crash, and told not to publish any story we might write about it. I wasn’t quite sure why that happened. That’s one thing. The other thing is that Vera’s been able to get her hands on a report that we were unable to obtain, and got beaten on, over the course of the last year or so. She’s written something here that shows how that report contains some pertinent information about the crash. Interesting stuff.

“But what we’re here today to do is talk about whether this story is ready for publication. I’ve called on all of you, and any ideas you might want to have.” Vera wasn’t sure that tracked. She saw Adam wasn’t sure either. “But before we do that, I think we need to talk about something that’s pretty much on everybody’s mind, and that is this report.” Vera could see the Metro editor watch-checking. He couldn’t care less about this report. Stanley looked faintly electric. So did Anne, the rookie. Harriet was drinking her coffee steadily, nose in Styrofoam mug. Vera’s new editor looked proudly complacent. The assistant National editor looked as if he saw an opening to be the first one talking, but Vera couldn’t see how, because he was the most out-of-the-loop person on the story. Bray shot Vera a worried look.

“We could have used this report,” the assistant National editor said, moving his knee away from that of Constance, his boss.

Constance, too new to know if this was so, nodded authoritatively.

“Certainly is,” Don Grady said, clearly only half listening.

“What?” That was the Metro editor. He didn’t care who played Don in the movie, he would not let such shit mar this scene. “Certainly is what?”

“Why, old news, of course,” Don said.

“That’s not what he said,” the Metro editor said.

“I’m sorry. What did he say?”

“That we could have used this report,” Adam said.

“What report, just to make sure, is this?” Harriet’s lips had lifted, but just a tad, from her cup rim.

“The Sissy report.” “White House surveillance report.” “The puppet report.” “Family Jewels II.” “Black ops.” Gordon didn’t venture a title. Neither did Don. He looked momentarily snookered. Vera tried not to stare at him.

“What did you call it?” Adam directed the question in a straight line to Don.

“I didn’t,” Don replied.

“Why not?” Adam shot.

There was a noiseless tick as more than three people gained the understanding that something besides Vera’s story was at issue.