The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

Author:Davis Bunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042060;FIC042000
ISBN: 9781441230515
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2016-07-20T16:00:00+00:00

28

After the sound engineer had freed Esther of her microphone and battery pack, she thanked both Suzie and the station director, then made her way over to Talmadge Burroughs. Esther did her best to stow away her irritation. She needed Talmadge. Esther seated herself on the base of a mobile camera, which put her a fraction lower than Talmadge’s chair. She watched his hands nervously kneading the head of his ivory-topped cane. And she waited.

Talmadge said, “So you’re giving the station a definite no, then.”

Esther held to her silence.

Talmadge cleared his throat. “I only suggested the station take you on because I thought it would help.”

“You suggested?”

He coughed. “I might have gone a bit too far.”

“A bit?”

He tried for indignation but failed. “What do you want me to say?”

“Start by telling me if you own this station.”

“I might have a small interest in companies that have invested in local stations here and there.” He coughed again. “I’m on your side, Esther.”

“Then act like you are, Mr. Burroughs.”

“My friends all call me Cricket.”

“There is no way on heaven or earth I will ever call you Cricket,” she assured him.

“Talmadge, then.” He cocked his head. “You sure can be one ornery lady.”

“Let me guess,” Esther said. “When I told you about setting up my new website, you contacted the president of the advertising company you have under contract.”

“Actually, we own them.”

“You threatened the poor man with dismissal if he didn’t drive traffic to my site.”

“Just so happens my agency is run by a lady,” Talmadge corrected. She glared at him, and he quickly added, “I didn’t threaten anybody.”

“You gave the poor woman a directive, which coming from the owner is as good as a threat.” She shook her head. “Shame on you.”

He thumped his cane on the slick concrete floor. “Sometimes you got to light a fire under folks.”

“You will stop this now,” she said. “You will grant me the right to vet any future actions before you put them into play.”

“Do that or else, huh?”

“Unlike some,” Esther replied, “I don’t threaten people.”

He thumped his cane again. “Agreed.”

“This subterfuge stops now, Talmadge.”

“I said all right.” He stared at her. “Isn’t this when you stand up and storm outta here?”

“I want to. Believe me.” She took a hard breath. “But the truth is I need your help with something.”

That took a moment to sink in. Talmadge grinned at her. “I bet those words tasted vile coming out of your mouth.”

“Awful,” she agreed.

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