The Price of Fame - KJ1 Page 27

Jay chewed her lip. “It’s a start, I guess, but I get the right to re-open the discussion at some point after we’ve had a chance to settle down and see how things are working.”

  “You drive a hard bargain.” Kate squeezed the hand she was holding.

  “Mmm. And all this negotiating is making me sleepy. Mind if I take a nap and use you as a pillow?”

  Kate smiled indulgently, flipping up the armrest that separated the seats and opening her arms, not caring what any of the neighboring passengers might think.

  Jay took another sip of strong coffee and stretched. It was amazing how motivated she could be in the morning when the objective was 207

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  important enough to her. She had spent several hours after they had gotten back to her place the night before organizing her things and deciding what to bring home in her first carload. Home. She liked the sound of that. It was barely 7:00 a.m. and she was in the middle of packing two suitcases full of clothes and sundries, having already packed several boxes worth of stuff. She had decided to leave some work clothes and some play clothes in the apartment just in case, but she was taking the bulk of her wardrobe with her.

  Kate was in the living room. An advance copy of that week’s edition of Time had been waiting for the writer when they got home, and Jay had given it to the anchorwoman just a little while ago to read. She had fretted about having her lover read the story in her presence, but, in the end, she bit the bullet and gave it to her without comment. And then went to busy herself packing since she was so nervous she didn’t know what to do with herself.

  Kate looked at her own image staring back from the cover, her soot-stained face, bloody hands, and torn suit testaments to her efforts following the detonation of the second bomb. It was a gritty picture, one that bespoke dignity, professionalism, and humanity, all without a single word. The title on the cover, in big, bold print, was A New Breed of Journalist. In slightly smaller print below were the words, Katherine Ann Kyle of WCAP-TV in Albany, New York.

  Inside was a three-page spread including Jay’s story and four pictures: three of her and one of the capitol building following the explosion. The snapshots of her included one of her anchoring taken on the set, one of her interviewing one of the victims, and one of her working with Gene in an editing room. There was also a sidebar story by another writer debating whether or not journalists should ever take an active role in a story they were covering.

  Kate read it all in silence, re-reading portions and staring hard at the pictures. When she was finished she nodded to herself and smiled a private smile of pride for her partner. Then she went into Jay’s office and placed a phone call.

  Jay was deep in her walk-in closet when long arms wrapped around her from behind. She tensed, not sure what to expect. A low, sultry voice whispered against her ear, “You are the most talented writer I have ever read. I am so humbled by you, love. You wrote an incredibly insightful, lively, interesting piece under incomparably difficult circumstances. It was balanced, and fair, and remarkably objective; you didn’t let your own personal feelings or knowledge color the content, your approach was fresh and unique, and I am impressed beyond words. Thank you.”

  Not knowing what to say to that, Jay turned in the circle of her lover’s arms, her eyes bright with pleasure at the unexpected praise and her smile 208

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  big enough to light the city without electricity. She rose up on tiptoes and kissed the waiting lips, murmuring, “I’m so glad you thought it was okay, sweetheart. I think that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

  Maintaining professional distance and detachment from you was a virtual impossibility. It took me quite a while to decide how to avoid letting my personal feelings for you bleed through.”

  “Well, I think you succeeded masterfully, and you should be very proud of the job you did. Now about these pictures...”

  They pulled into Kate’s driveway at a little after 11:00 a.m., opening the front door to be greeted by a mass of flying fur.

  “Hi buddy. Easy, guy, easy, Fred. Yeah, I’m happy to see you too, baby,” Kate cooed as the excited golden threaded his way back and forth between her legs, talking the entire time even though he had a stuffed animal firmly held between his jaws. When he was finished with her, he gave Jay the same treatment as she scratched him behind his ears and on his haunches.

  “How did he get here? I thought you said Peter had him.”

  “He did; I called him this morning and asked him to drop him off for us.”

  “Wow, now that’s service.”

  “Yep, it sure is. I told you, he’s a great friend to have.”

  They made their way inside, Fred glued to his mistress’s leg.

  “Shouldn’t we get the stuff out of the car?” Jay asked.

  “In a minute. First, there’s something I want to show you in here.”

  She disappeared into her office, smiling when she saw that her instructions had been followed precisely. She owed Peter big time now.

  She walked back out into the entryway. “Close your eyes.”

  “Why?”

  Kate sighed in mock exasperation. “Do we have to go through this every time about you following instructions, woman? Close your eyes.”

  She poked her partner.

  “Okay, but last time I did that I ended up in paradise, and you have to be at work in a few hours.”

  “Don’t remind me. Come with me.” She took her lover by the arm, guiding her carefully into her office. “You can open your eyes now.”

  Jay obediently cracked first one eyelid and then the other. When she opened her mouth to speak, nothing came out. She pivoted and looked at her lover in wonder. “There’s a word processor on your desk, and it’s identical to the one in my apartment.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “That wasn’t here before, I would have noticed it.”

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  “Very observant, Watson.”

  “But sweetheart...”

  “Listen,” she argued, holding up her hands, “it only makes sense for you to be able to do your work in either place and not have to cart a word processor back and forth. I thought we could set you up in here just until we have time to shop for office furniture for your office. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Mind? Are you kidding me?” The writer surveyed the brand-new word processor, the two reams of typing paper lying neatly next to it, the three pads of legal paper and pens resting nearby. Tears sprang to her eyes as she acknowledged the love and caring behind the gesture. She turned into Kate’s arms and buried her head in her chest. “I don’t know if I will ever get used to being this spoiled, love.”

  “You’d better start, sweetheart, because I intend to spoil you for the rest of your life.” She wiped the tears from her lover’s cheeks and replaced them with tender kisses. Before long the caresses turned more ardent, and hands began to wander. Kate backed them out of the office and over to the stairs, managing to lead them to the bedroom without losing contact with her lover’s increasingly more naked body.

  “You have to go to work, love,” Jay panted in between kisses.

  “Not for a few hours,” came the muffled reply. No more talking was heard for the next little while.

  At exactly 2:00 p.m. Kate strolled through the newsroom, finding her desk just as she had left it six days earlier. She smiled to herself as she revisited the intervening time; so much had happened and so much had changed in her life in such a short period of time, it was hard to believe.

  Before settling down to business she picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Technowiz.”

  “Hey, Anchorbabe. What’s happening? Did I get everything right?”

  “You are a prince, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  “So, does this mean that something is officially going on between you and Jay?”

  “Um,” she lowered her vo
ice so that no one else could hear, “I’ve asked her to marry me and she’s moved into the house.”

  “You’re kidding me?” Peter sounded stunned. “Way to go, Kate! I’m assuming she said yes, then?”

  “Yep, she did,” Kate said with a note of wonder in her voice. “In fact, she’s there now and I thought maybe, if you weren’t doing anything, you could drop by and take her to dinner. She doesn’t know anyplace around 210

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  here and there’s nothing in the refrigerator. I’d tell you to call her, but I’m not sure she’d answer the phone yet, since nobody knows she’s here except for you now.”

  “Hmm.” He pretended to think. “Am I available to take a beautiful woman to dinner? I’ll have to think about that and get back to you.” He paused for a second. “Kate, I’d love to take Jay to dinner. I can fill her head with all sorts of stuff about you and then...”

  “Peter?”

  “Yes?”

  “Stick to the truth, okay? And don’t scare her too much.”

  “Geez, you take away all my fun.”

  “Yeah, I’m like that.”

  “I’ve got you covered, Anchorbabe, don’t sweat it.”

  “Thanks, buddy, I knew I could count on you. And thanks again for getting the word processor and supplies. I owe you.”

  “Ooh, I like the sound of that. Bye, Kate.”

  “Bye, Peter.”

  As she was hanging up the receiver, her producer walked by.

  “Hey, woman, you look great. You should go on vacation more often; it obviously agrees with you.”

  “Thanks, Phil. Anything big happen while I was gone?”

  “You mean locally? Nah, no one’s saying anything much about the bombing except that it appears to have been done by professionals. Other than that, it’s been the usual quotient of fires, murders, robberies, and political shenanigans. You know how it goes. Glad to have you back, kid, we missed you.”

  “It’s good to be back.” The anchorwoman turned her attention to her inbox and a stack of telephone messages, immediately re-immersing herself in the job.

  Meanwhile, at home, Jay was busy unpacking boxes and suitcases, filling the huge walk-in closet in her room and the dresser drawers, as well. So engrossed in the task was she that she was shocked when she glanced over at the digital clock to find that it was 5:58 p.m. She ran downstairs into the family room and turned on the television just in time to catch her lover teasing the upcoming stories for the 6:00 newscast.

  “My God,” she mooned. “She is the most gorgeous creature alive.

  And she’s mine.” She shook her head in wonder at her incredible good fortune. “Parker, you dreamed about her for years, and now you’re going to be married to her. Never in a million years...” She shut up as the news came on and she turned her complete attention to the chiseled features that she now knew as well as her own.

  At 6:30 p.m., the doorbell rang. Jay wasn’t sure what to do. She knew it wasn’t Kate, because she was just getting off the air and wouldn’t have 211

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  rung the doorbell anyway. Should she answer it? It rang again. Fred was barking and whining. Whining? Why would the dog be whining? She decided to investigate. Cautiously approaching the peephole, she peered through to see someone familiar on the other side of the door.

  “Um, hi, Jay, it’s Peter. Can I come in?”

  She unlocked the door immediately and stepped aside to let him in.

  Fred danced around him until he petted him and said a proper hello. “Is there something I can do for you, Peter?”

  “Actually,” the tall man shifted from foot to foot, “I was wondering if you’ve had dinner yet?”

  “No, I haven’t gotten that far. How did you know I was here?” She was starting to smell a plot.

  “Um, a little birdie told me.”

  “Hmm, I’m thinking it was more of a big birdie, say, oh, about six feet tall with fabulous blue eyes?”

  “Well, I guess I’d better come clean. Kate called me this afternoon and told me you were here and that there was nothing in the house for dinner and suggested that you might want to go out to dinner with me, since you don’t really know the area yet. She wasn’t sure if you would pick up the phone if I called, so she told me to stop by.”

  “That’s so sweet,” she sighed. “She is the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met.”

  Peter noted the dreamy expression on his new friend’s face and smiled. Yep, they both had it bad. He decided to play with her just a little. “Hey, that’s a really nice ring you’ve got there. I don’t remember you wearing that the last time I saw you. Is it new?”

  “Um, yeah, it is.” Jay’s eyes were shifting everywhere around the room.

  “Huh, you must have found yourself a great guy. That sure looks like a wedding ring to me.”

  She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t like to lie, but she wasn’t sure what Kate would have told him or wanted him to know; she knew they were close, but...

  Peter started to laugh, and Jay’s head whipped up. “It’s okay, small stuff, Kate told me she proposed and that you’re living here now.” He moved in and gave her a huge bear hug. “I think it’s great. I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. And it is a beautiful ring, by the way. Now, are you hungry, or what?”

  “Yes, and I have another job for you, too. Lead on, Technowiz.”

  “Ugh, not you too.”

  “Oh yeah.”

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  At 6:35 p.m. Kate, Gene and Phil were heading out the back door to grab something to eat. The anchorwoman exited first and froze in her tracks as flashbulbs exploded and she was surrounded by fans seeking her autograph on the cover of the Time magazines they waved in front of her face. Both men stepped quickly in front of her to protect her from the crowd as they made their way to Phil’s car. Kate stopped them with a hand on their arms, then turned and graciously and patiently began signing autographs until every one of the two dozen or so fans had been satisfied.

  The guys continued to give her grief all through dinner about her newfound goddess status, and she took it good-naturedly, although inwardly she was a bit discomfited by all the attention. Even their normal waitress wanted an autograph. She got the same treatment after the 11:00

  news when she exited the station for her car in the parking lot, but this time the powers that be had taken precautions and had hired security guards to escort her and keep her safe.

  Nothing felt better to her, though, than arriving home and being greeted at the door by an irresistible blonde wearing nothing more than a lacy negligee and a smile. God, she was going to love coming home to that every night! Within seconds she had been divested of her suit jacket, with her skirt and pantyhose not far behind. By the time she had made it upstairs, she was wearing only her panties and bra, and those quickly became history, too.

  A while later, she breathed, “Now that’s something to come home to.” She stroked the blonde head resting on her chest. “How was the rest of your day?”

  “Come see for yourself,” Jay said as she jumped up off the bed, pulling her lover with her.

  “Where are you getting all this energy, Scoop?”

  “Dunno, must be just being here with you.”

  They arrived in Jay’s room, which had been transformed from a generic guest suite into a true living space.

  “Wow, this is amazing. You did all this after I left?”

  “Yep.”

  “Incredible.” Kate looked around the room. “You got everything unpacked?”

  “Yep. And I had time to play ball with Fred, too, and watch both newscasts and have dinner with Peter in between.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Jay laughed, wrinkling up her nose. “How was your day?”

  Kate told her about the overzealous fans, Phil and Gene coming to her rescue, and the security people assuring her safety after the late newscast.

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  “You know, I’ve had people approach me before in the mall or at a restaurant occasionally, but never anything like this frenzy. It was disconcerting.”

  “Mmm, I bet. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine, it just caught me a little off balance, that’s all. It turned out all right, though, everybody was nice enough.”

  “Well,” Jay said, wrapping her arms around the muscular torso she loved so much, “if anybody so much as lays a finger on you, they’ll have me to answer to.”

  “Ooh, that ought to keep them away.” Jay swatted her on the behind.

  “Come on, shorty, we’ve got to get you to bed. You’ve got to be on the 6:00 a.m. train, and I don’t want you to be cranky.”

  “I’m going to be cranky in any event because I don’t know what the next assignment is or whether I’m going to be able to come back home tomorrow night.”

  “Let’s just wait and see, huh? No sense getting our knickers in a knot until we know, right?”

  “Yeah, I guess,” Jay sighed. “You’re far too practical and pragmatic, love, you know that?”

  “Mmm, I do now.”

  Having delivered Jay to the train on time, Kate was just completing her workout and run, albeit earlier than usual, when she noticed the message light on her answering machine blinking. She glanced at her watch: 8:32 a.m. That was odd. She depressed the play button and was surprised to hear her news director’s voice.

  “Kate, this is Les. I need you to come in as soon as possible to meet with me. It’s 8:15 now. I’ll be waiting for you in my office.”

  It was the first time in memory that Les had called her at home, and certainly the first time in the five years that she’d been working at WCAP

  that he had been in the office before 9:00. He had sounded gruff, but that was nothing unusual; he always sounded gruff. Well, there was no sense speculating, she would just get showered and get to the office.

  When Kate arrived at the station forty-five minutes later, the same two security officers from the night before greeted her at her car. “Hi, guys. It’s okay, I don’t see any unruly fans this morning.” She smiled at them.

  Neither one of them smiled back; in fact, neither would even look at her. “Boss’s orders, Kate. We’re to escort you to his office.”