Mosley smiled. He looked at Katelyn and Christine. “Would you mind giving David and me a moment alone with Avery?”

“Sure,” Katelyn said.

Christine nodded. “Of course.”

“Everyone is getting seated,” Mosley said. “We’ll just be a minute.”

Despite her best efforts to avoid this very situation, Avery found herself alone with not only her boss, but her boss’s boss as well.

“Avery,” David said after Katelyn and Christine were gone. “I wanted to take a moment in private to let you know how very impressed I’ve been this year with what you’ve done on American Events. You’ve really leaned into the show and allowed it to display your strengths as a journalist and host.”

Avery smiled. Another backhanded compliment. She bit her tongue and didn’t take the bait. This could get ugly fast if she wasn’t careful.

“Mosley and I are confused about why you rejected the contract extension.”

“Yes, about that. My agent and I are preparing a counteroffer but we don’t have everything finalized just yet.”

“We offered the extension weeks ago.”

“I know. I was concentrating on finishing the last few episodes of AE and, unfortunately, all my focus has gone into the show.”

“Understandable,” David said. “But the season has ended and we need an answer from you. You’re either in, or you’re out. You see, we run one of the most successful networks on television for a reason. We plan things out for the future and don’t like surprises. We’re trying to lock in the fall lineup, and we need to know if that includes you or not.”

“Of course. I’m meeting with Dwight this week.”

“What was the problem with the offer? We heard only that you had rejected it, but no specifics were given,” Mosley asked.

“Well . . .” Avery said. “You know, I wasn’t prepared to discuss this tonight. Maybe we could put it off until next week when I can bring Dwight into the discussion.”

“Time is of the essence,” Mosley said. “We’re working on a tight deadline to get things organized for the fall. Perhaps you could hint at what the holdup is about.”

It was more a statement that a question.

“Dwight was hung up on the dollar value,” Avery said.

“Dwight Corey was hung up?” David asked.

“At first glance, yes. But he and I were going to rework the numbers now that the show has wrapped for the season.”

“The yearly compensation offered pays you handsomely and puts you in line with your contemporaries. After just your first year hosting the show, we believe that’s quite generous.”