The Fourth (Lone Peak Heroes Book 4) by C. G. Cooper

Author:C. G. Cooper [Cooper, C. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JBD Entertainment, LLC
Published: 2023-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

LEWIS

"Tell me why I should waste my time with this?" asked Walter Barton. The Washington Post editor tapped on the file folder he had yet to open.

The waiter appeared at their table, pad in hand. "Gentlemen, can I get you some drinks?"

"I'll have a martini, please,” Lewis said. “Extra dirty.”

"And for you, sir?"

Barton hesitated, itching his neck. "Water, please. Sparkling. A large bottle if you have it."

"Yes, sir. Is San Pellegrino okay?"

"Yes, please. With a small plate of sliced limes."

"Yes, sir. Coming right up." The waiter hopped to and disappeared.

"How is sobriety treating you?" Lewis asked, enjoying the man's discomfort.

"It has its perks." Barton cleared his throat. "You didn't answer my question."

"The file speaks for itself," Lewis said. "I think you'll enjoy the story you find there."

"There are plenty of stories that I enjoy, Mr. Wakefield.”

Lewis sat up taller. He liked the way Barton called him Mr. Wakefield.

"But why this story, and why now? And why are we sitting in a dim booth shrouded in mystery?"

"You want to write another book,” Lewis said. “We can fund it for you."

The editor scoffed. "I've already had four offers. What makes yours different?"

"The amount. I know your top offer was two hundred fifty grand. A small cry from your first book deal. How much was it? Two million?” Lewis shook his head and tsk-tsked. “What happened to that two million, Walter? You don't hold any significant assets. You don't have a car. You don't go on vacation. You must have pissed it away. Am I right?"

Barton shriveled.

Lewis knew the editor had clawed his way up from the mail room, just like every other Hallmark hero, except along the way, he'd adopted the expensive habits of his wealthy new friends. He drank their alcohol and snorted their cocaine. He slept with their hookers and attempted to live their high life. Only Barton, who strove to do things the honest way and wanted to win a Pulitzer, could never keep up. In the blink of an eye, he’d drained his bank account and flipped it upside down, racking up well over a million in debt and interest.

"Now listen here,” Barton said, leaning forward on his elbows. “I've been in this business for close to thirty years. I've made some mistakes, but I don't get strong-armed into anything. Do you understand?"

"Who said you were getting strong-armed?" Lewis asked. "I'm only presenting the facts and offering you a hell of a good deal."

"There are always strings attached, Mr. Wakefield. So, tell me what those strings are going to be."

"No strings, I promise. We only request that you publish the story in that file with one of your top three writers. You get it on the front page, then we’ll give you every exclusive follow-up."

"How about the book deal?" Barton asked, practically salivating.

Lewis smiled. He had him.

"As soon as you say yes, half a million dollars will be deposited into your account. Once the story hits the front page, another million comes your way. For each subsequent front-page hit, another half million.

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