I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Maverick, crusader, and legend. These were the words frequently used to describe ABC news anchor Anna Duvall. Also known as "the Queen," she had dedicated her life to chasing after the biggest stories and interviewing the most powerful and iconic people in the world. There were few people more respected than Duvall.
So, when Calvin was invited to her home for breakfast, she couldn't possibly say no. Duvall lived in a penthouse on midtown. Her residence had been featured in countless magazines as she was known for her understated, sophisticated, taste. Calvin straightened her skirt as the butler led her to the dining room.
Duval was dressed in impeccably in a red and black suit with pearl brooch. Her gracefully graying dark hair was cut in a pixie cut. She presented a picture of elegance.
"Gwen, welcome!" she said. "Have a seat."
"Thank you, Anna," Calvin said.
"Eat whatever you'd like as we know carbs don't count until lunch."
Calvin helped herself to some eggs and sausage.
"Mimosa?" Duvall asked as a tray was presented.
"One couldn't hurt," Calvin said and took a glass.
"Exactly," Duvall said with a smile.
Calvin sipped it slowly.
"Do you know why you're here, Gwen?" she asked.
"I have some ideas. You know the newsroom is as bad as high school," Calvin said. "Rumor is you're not renewing your contract with ABC in June."
"You do know how to keep your ear to the ground Gwen," she said. "I have every intention of retiring."
"Congratulations," Gwen said and raised her glass. "I wish you a happy, carefree retirement."
Duvall clinked it.
"I want you to be my replacement."
Calvin nearly choked on her sip.
"What?"
"Why did you think I invited you up here?" she asked.
"To offer some advice on how to handle the media spectacle that became of my personal life."
"Oh, you're handling that fine," she said with a wave of her hand. "In fact, the way you handled it only impressed me even more."
"I don't know what to say."
"Say yes then," she said. "Do you know how many of your other colleagues would die for this opportunity?"
"Anna, why me?" Calvin asked. "PAX doesn't get nearly the same audience share as the other cable stations, so I'm hardly a household name."
"The way you handled the Reid story," she said. "I mean, climbing a tree to evade corrupt law enforcement? I'm surprised no one has bought the movie rights to your life."
"I was just following my instincts," she said with a shrug.
"You have good instincts," Duvall said. "You also have the integrity some of your fellow candidates lack. I wasn't in on that famous conference call, but from what I heard you sold the case to not leak information extraordinarily well."
"Thank you."
"They also say you're the last honest person in cable news," she said. "I want someone to take over my job with that kind credibility."
Calvin didn't say anything.
"Where is the hesitation coming from Gwen?" she asked. "I thought we'd be toasting your new venture by now."
"Anna, I got my start in the business when I was covering an event for the university newspaper and saw an explosion. When the reporter ran, the camera operator asked me if I would follow him to discover a gas leak had caused it. I stumbled into on-air reporting and it feels like I haven't stopped being in the right place at the right time ever since."
"So, imposter syndrome," Duvall said. "Only the best at what they do get it. It shows you are the best."
"Anna, I'm not sure I want to spend another ten years being the calming, authoritative presence audiences count on when tragedy strikes."
"Does this have anything to do with the other rumor circulating?" she asked. "That you're in love with Spencer Reid?"
"I won't deny there are sparks," she said. "I want to move on also, Anna. I'm ready to go back to writing."
"Your forty-four years old Gwen," she said sharply. "Forty is the new thirty. You'll be bored senseless two years into your early retirement."
"You don't know everything about me," Calvin said firmly.
"Throwing everything away for love is stupid," Duvall said. "Love is temporary, compared to a legacy of powerful journalism. Do you really want to only be known as Mrs. Reid one day? Or would you rather be remembered as the person exposed world leaders for who they were, and got pop icons to share their greatest secrets?"
"We have different visions of what happiness looks like," Calvin said. "I am pleased with the legacy I am leaving behind. What I want next is for my words to speak louder than my television persona."
"Like, the song, you're a fool for love," she said. "If you say no now, you a closing to door on the last big break you'll ever receive. Put Spencer Reid out of your head think: You have an opportunity to be one of the greatest journalists of your time. Or you can be remembered as the one who walked away from opportunity for a damaged FBI agent."
"He is not damaged!" Calvin almost shouted.
"I have heard descriptions of the leaked footage that didn't make it into your precious special. Did you know the man hasn't worn any clothing in three years? Imagine trying to live with that kind of person who is probably damaged mentally beyond repair. I don't think that is a life for you Gwen."
"Spencer Reid is sweet, smart, and incredibly strong!" Gwen shouted. "He has fought hard for people like you not to look down on him for his trauma. You're only adding to his pain by thinking he can't recover."
"You're more delusional than I thought," Duvall said.
"Anna, I respect everything you have in your career as you have the paved the way for women like me to succeed. But I will not abide by you disrespecting the name of a distinguished federal agent."
Calvin stood up.
"You're a hero to so many young women in this world," she said as her voice shook. "But even heroes have flaws. I won't expose yours for the greater good, but after what you just said about a man worthy of admiration regardless of whether I am romantically interested in him, you have one less admirer."
"Ricardo, see her out," Duvall said.
A butler appeared.
"You're going to regret this," Duvall said.
"I don't think I will," Calvin said and didn't look back.
…
Calvin had just put her coat down when Nick appeared.
"Rumor has it you met with the Queen," he said.
"What do you think happened?" she asked.
"If I know that tone, she said something to royally piss you off."
"Where do you think my relationship with Reid will be in five years, Nick?" she asked.
"By then you will both be best-selling authors, and choosing how to live compared to the rest of us plebs."
"What do you think Anna Duvall said?"
"To say something negative about her is akin to asking for a pink slip. But honestly, the woman is pretty high on herself. She said something negative about Reid while offering you her job, and you all but stormed out."
"That's about it in a nutshell," she said.
"While I applaud your audacity, you know there's going to be blowback, right? Anna Duvall is going to make life difficult for you and Reid."
"Oh god," she said with a moan.
"What are you going to do?"
A steely glint suddenly appeared in her eye.
"Fight back."