A year later, she now boasted an impressive record of success during her stint as the face of American Events. She was no longer the new girl on the block. She was no longer hoping to break through and find an audience. She had found one, and they were devoted. She was established, she was polished, and she planned to etch her legacy into the framework of the network. Katie Couric-style. Diane Sawyer-esque. But only if she stayed strong during these negotiations and showed no sign of weakness. And, Avery was well aware, if she managed to keep her past from ruining it all. Because if there was one thing that spurred the public’s interest even more than watching the birth of a young starlet rising to fame, it was watching them fall from grace. Schadenfreude had become the new American pastime.

Avery walked over to Dwight. “I’m coming off a contract that by any measure was a bargain for HAP News. The bottom line is that with me as host American Events brought in revenues that were higher than any other show the network produced, and for the last year I’ve been one of the lowest paid anchors. David Hillary has made a killing off me. Now it’s time for him to pay me.”

Dwight took a deep breath. “Give me a number.”

“Seven figures.”

Dwight ran a hand over his bald head.

“It’s not an outrageous ask,” Avery said. “Not if you look at the numbers. And not just my numbers—ratings are up for the entire Friday night lineup because viewers stick around after AE is over.”

“If I go back to them with a counter that high, they’re going to want to know what they’re paying for.”

“They’re paying for me, and the audience I bring with me.”

“Content, my young and indestructible warrior. They’re going to ask what sort of content you have planned for the fall. You know, your second full season.” Dwight spread his hands and looked around. “A rehash of the Navy SEAL program is not going to cut it.”

“This is just for fun. And I’m going to do a lot more than rehash the SEAL program. I’m going to immerse myself in it. But that’s for later next year. For this coming fall, I’m sniffing a story that’s coming out of New York. It has to do with 9/11 and the timing is uncanny.”

“Give me some details. I’ll need ammunition if you’re sending me back to the table.”

“The medical examiner in New York just identified the remains of a victim who died in the World Trade Center attack. Twenty years later and they are still identifying victims. I’m heading to New York to look into the story.”

“Mason! You’re up. Let’s move!” a Navy commander yelled from the obstacle course starting line.