Do the Job by L.J. Breedlove

Author:L.J. Breedlove
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: college newsroom, university television, Portland, Black Lives Matter, protesters, coming of age, multicultural, suspense, new adult suspense
Publisher: L.J. Breedlove
Published: 2021-09-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

4 P.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021, EWN — Corey pulled people into the Zoom meeting, with Blair running it. “We’ve got requests from Ramirez, McShane and Stewart,” he said. “Add them? And there’s Sue Briggs.”

Ryan looked at Blair. She took a deep breath and nodded.

“We’ve got guests with us,” she said, starting the meeting. “Do any of our guests have items for the agenda?”

“I just got off the phone with Jack Dermott,” Sue Briggs said. “The attorney from SPLC? We’ll be working together on the lawsuits, and I think everything is under control. I just wanted to let you all know that before I left for the day. Thank you again, Ryan, for handling this so well.”

Ryan nodded. Vocalize, he thought, but his head hurt too badly. They’d have to deal. And she was off. One down.

“Yes, good job, Ryan,” Michelle Stewart said. “I take it Will has not shown up yet?”

“We’ve not heard from him,” Blair said. “However, we now have reason to believe he’s with J.J. Jones who has also disappeared. I think J.J. was alerted to some story and sought out Will late last night. J.J. was last seen at the Pearl District protests. Both missed all their classes today, and unlike most of the EWN staff, those two actually go.”

There was laughter and a reduction in stress signs in the Zoom windows. She’s been watching Emily too, Ryan thought. And he rather thought Emily had studied McShane, who used humor much the same way. God knew, McShane only used humor as a tool — and sometimes as a weapon — because that man was grim.

“It hasn’t been 24 hours yet, but I’ve alerted officers to be watch for Will, I’ll add J.J. to the list,” Ramirez said. “Do you want me to call J.J.’s father?”

“Is he still suspended?” Ryan asked. J.J.’s father was a police officer downtown. He’d been suspended along with a dozen others for failing to stop Proud Boys from shooting protesters last winter.

“Yes.”

“Then let’s not bring him in at this time,” Ryan said. “We don’t need a concerned father going on a rampage here. If he was back on duty? Different. It wouldn’t hurt for a bit of discreet, informal BOLO.”

“I could do that,” Ramirez said, slowly. “I should probably give Cody a heads up?”

“Are we thinking it’s connected to Davis?” McShane spoke for the first time.

“Timing could be coincidence,” Ryan said. “And the fact J.J. may have initiated it? He hasn’t been involved in the Davis discussion, I don’t think.”

Others shook their heads.

“But he notices things,” Miguel said. “He’s observant. Scarily so.”

“Up to you, Chief,” Ryan said. “Blair? Any objections?”

She shook her head. “Go ahead, Chief,” she said. “Your call.”

Ryan’s phone rang, he looked at it: Emily. He looked at Corey through the glass walls, drew his hand across his neck, and Corey nodded. He answered Emily’s call.

“You OK?” he asked.

“You need to come,” she said with a laugh. “Have you lost some of your flock?”

“Are they OK?”

“Mostly?” she said. “Come.”

“On my way.

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