Jennifer hung up the phone and turned to her dad.
"This might get ugly".
"Tell me everything, sweetheart".
"Ok, so I wanted to do a story on voter issues. For instance, we vote to divert a percentage of the sales tax to certain causes, but does it really go there? That type of thing. So, I started investigating, and I kept seeing on the news about the budget crisis and balancing the budget. And then, a colleague introduced me to a source, who I met with. My source agreed to remain confidential, and promised to get me what I needed. It was slow at first, but then…jackpot. He came across a document that detailed in no uncertain terms that a specific group of congressmen and senators released a report to the press 4 months ago, that explicitly stated they had trimmed the budget in certain areas. And then he got me a copy of another report that showed that while they weren't spending as much money on healthcare or on the military, they were spending just as much as they used to elsewhere. Private trips, chartered jets, redecorated houses and offices, lavish lunches. One senator took a "business" trip to Italy, and took along her parents, her husband, 3 kids, the nanny, and her in-laws, not to mention her 4 brothers and sisters and their families as well. The taxpayers shouldn't have to shoulder that load, that's not fair. So, I wrote a very well-researched, thought out and compelling article that simply stated everything in a "they said this, but did that" fashion, and attached the evidence as proof. Jeff, my boss, told me when I took it to him, that he trusted me, that he approved of anything I wrote. He didn't even read it, he just told me to take it straight to editing and have them publish it in today's edition".
"Well, sweetheart, it sounds as though you did everything right, but I'm afraid the folks in Washington are going to make you a target".
"I can handle it, Pa".
"You've always been a tenacious one, that's for sure".
"I learned from you to always stand up for what you believe in, and I believe the public has a right to know the truth".
"Stick to your principles, sweetheart. You can't go wrong doing that".
"I agree".
***Monday***
Jennifer came to work at 9, just like normal. She was nervous, but she knew she would get through it.
When she clocked in, Jeff came up behind her and gently guided her into his office.
He closed the door.
"I apologize for my rant with you, I had completely forgotten that I had given you the authority to publish whatever".
"Thank you".
"Now, from here on out, when you get a piece of huge evidence like that, bring it to me first, will you? This could all have been avoided if you had been honest with me".
"I wasn't dishonest with you. I wasn't dishonest with anyone".
"I'm not accusing you of lying to me. I'm just saying, this was a huge blindside".
"I understand".
"So, the brass wanted me to punish you for this. So, this talk is your punishment, and if anyone asks, you're on thin ice. Just between you and me, I am never going to do anything to you for this. However, I do agree with one thing they said-any ramifications that you might face from the government-inquiries, negative press, whatever, they made it very clear they won't intercede on your behalf. The legal team will be available to you like it would be to anyone, that doesn't change. But they won't be calling and demanding that your name not be mentioned or anything like that".
"Got it. Thank you".
"One more thing. Since you were out of town, I took the liberty of making sure you got a few copies of it. I get it, I'm still a journalist at heart".
He handed her a pallet of ten copies, all bundled together.
"Thank you".
She smiled at him and then headed to her desk with the pallet.
For the rest of the morning, she fielded phone calls from other journalists, wanting to interview her. She turned each request down, and finally asked the receptionist to screen her calls and take messages.
She went and had a nice lunch, and then came back to work.
About an hour later, Jeff called everyone to his office for a staff meeting.
"I was just informed that we have a new owner. East Coast Press, is now a division of Hart Industries. I was asked to read this statement, verbatim. Hart Industries is proud to acquire East Coast Press and all its holdings. We are a strong company that feels like family, and everyone should rest assured they will be treated as such. A lot of exciting changes are on the horizon, but not in personnel. Keep up the good work.
Everyone clapped, and then he told them all to get back to work.
Jennifer started a new article that afternoon, and then headed to her apartment.
***Washington, D.C.***
The senators were meeting for the second day in a row, about Jennifer's article. They finally agreed to bring in a few members of Congress to discuss how to proceed. In the end, since the report dealt more with the Senate than Congress, the members of Congress bowed out and let the Senate handle it.
About an hour later, they had reached a decision on how to proceed and adjourned the meeting.
***The next day***
Jennifer got to the office at 9, and clocked in and got to work. She was deep in the zone for her next article, when Jeff came and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey, I just got a phone call from legal upstairs. They need you to come meet with them right away. Upstairs, 16th floor, room 408".
"Ok, thanks".
She headed up there, not sure what to expect.
As soon as she told the secretary who she was, she was ushered back.
"Hi, I'm Landon McBride, the head of the legal department here".
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Edwards".
"Please, have a seat".
She sat in a chair facing his desk.
"There's no nice or easy way to say this. Your article on the Senate's lack of ethics has turned a lot of heads. And most of them are in Washington. And we received word this morning, that the senators named in the report in your article are asking that you testify before them in Washington at the end of the week".
"No".
"I'm sorry?"
"I said, no. I won't testify".
"Ok, let me rephrase. This is the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, and when they request things, it's not like a question. It's a statement, and it's not optional."
"So, I'm just supposed to drop everything in my life and respond their beck and call? No thank you".
He sighed.
"Was that all?"
"Yeah, that's all we have to talk about".
"Ok, thank you. Nice meeting with you".
She got up and headed back to her desk, without another word.
He thought a moment, and then picked up the phone and made a phone call.
"Hi, it's Landon McBride. We spoke earlier about the issue with the senate. She's refusing to testify. She's refusing to discuss it, even. She's not budging".
They talked for a few minutes and then hung up.
***Jennifer***
Jennifer was about to head out of the office at 3 for a hair appointment, when the receptionist came and delivered an envelope to her.
It was marked "Open NOW" and "Urgent".
She opened it and found a slip of paper inside.
Please come to 688 N. 88th Street. Go in the doors that face 88th street, take the elevators up to the 20th floor, and tell them you are here to see Jonathan Hart. Do this immediately. Any questions, call 212.464.4278".
Jennifer was very skeptical, so she picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"Hello, Hart Industries, Jonathan Hart's office. How can I assist you?"
"Hello. I just received an envelope sent to me by messenger that was marked urgent and it had a note inside that said I am supposed to come meet with Jonathan Hart. The problem is, I didn't make an appointment to see him".
"By any chance is your name Jennifer Edwards?"
"Yes, it is".
"Yes ma'am. I understand your skepticism. Mr. Hart is insisting that you come right away. I assure you, everything is on the up and up."
"Is now the only time he can meet me?"
"No. But now is the only option he's giving you".
"I see. Ok, I'll be there soon".
She was beyond irritated that she was missing her hair appointment. She called to reschedule, and then gathered her things and headed to Hart Industries.
***Hart Industries***
As soon as she stepped off the elevator, Jonathan's secretary Deanne got up and opened his office door.
"Miss Edwards has arrived".
"Send her in".
As soon as he saw her, he was taken aback by her attractiveness. She had a gorgeous body, flaming red hair, and smooth sun-kissed skin.
"Hi, please come in".
"Hi, I'm Jennifer Edwards".
She stuck her hand out to him, and he shook it.
"I'm Jonathan Hart. I'm the founder and CEO of Hart Industries, and where you're concerned, I'm the owner of East Coast Press, which owns the Times."
"Yes, I believe I heard something about that".
"Good, good. Now, I called you here because you and I have some things to talk about. I've read your articles for a long time, and I've always found them to be cutting edge, hard-hitting, and mystifying. And your work is always neat and precise and free from error, which as the new owner of three papers, I can highly appreciate."
"I thought the press release said no personnel changes".
"It did. And I haven't made any."
"Ok".
"Now, this is my first foray into owning a newspaper. I'm more of a businessman at heart. And the one principle that I stand by firmly is "If you don't look good, I don't look good". Simply put, what you as my employee do reflects on me. So, naturally I want it to reflect positively".
"What are you accusing me of?"
"You were subpoenaed by the United States Senate. I was told by the head of legal at the Times that you are refusing to attend the hearing and answer their questions."
"That's right, I am".
"Ok. Let me explain this another way. Your story raised some feathers on Capitol Hill, and you were subpoenaed".
"I'm aware of that."
"Tell me something. What was your story based on?"
"4 weeks almost of solid, hard-hitting research. I'm known for copious amounts of research, but this story set a new record. And my research was confirmed by a report from a Senate ethics committee."
"That report was supposed to be confidential, according to the Senate. How did you get it?"
"I have a confidential and reliable source".
"The Senate wants you to name your source".
"Not happening".
"Look, you seem like a reasonable, intelligent woman. And I'm willing to help you in absolutely any way that I can. But you are going to have to meet me halfway here and that includes showing up to testify".
"Seriously? You seriously expect me to take a day out of my life just to spend less than 10 minutes reminding them of my rights?"
"What rights?"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"That's a serious question. If you think you have a right to something, let's hear it".
"You also seem to be very intelligent. Have you ever heard of the Constitution? The First Amendment very clearly states that I don't have to divulge anything".
"Well, if you don't testify, they can try you in absentia, convict you the same way and you can go to jail. So, if this case is really and truly the slam dunk you think it is, I suggest you show up. As a matter of fact, as your boss, I'm ordering you to do so".
"I'm pretty sure that's not in your jurisdiction".
"Again, I'm the owner of this company. And this company owns East Coast Press, which owns your company. And like I stated earlier, if you don't look good, I don't look good. Trust me when I tell you that Hart Industries didn't get where it is today with me or myself allowing anyone else to treat is as though it were insignificant, and I'll be damned if that's going to start now. Miss Edwards, if you want to keep your job, you'll attend the hearing".
"Fine. But let me ask you one thing. With you as the owner of the Times, are we just expected to come to your beck and call whenever? Is that your leadership style?"
"I'm sorry, I don't follow".
"I mean, all you've done since I've been here is order me around and demand that I do something that goes completely against my principles. I was informed by your secretary that meeting with you now was the only option. From what I can tell, you haven't even considered my position or recognized that I even have one".
"You spoke with my secretary?"
"Yes, I did! You see, Mr. Hart, let me lay it out for you. I'm a woman."
"You know, that's one of the first things I noticed about you".
Jennifer rolled her eyes.
"Anyways, I live here in New York City. And through my profession, and sometimes because of it, my face is sometimes in the news, and it certainly has been the last few days. And so, when I receive an envelope telling me that I need to come to an address I've never heard of, to meet with someone that I don't recall setting up an appointment with, I question whether or not my safety is at risk. So, I called the phone number on the note in the envelope, and I was assured that this was on the up and up. And before I could request an alternate meeting time, since I had an appointment that I ended up canceling, I was informed that while you did in fact have other meeting times available, this time was the only time you were offering to meet with me."
"What kind of appointment did you have to cancel?"
"I had a haircut scheduled with a very exclusive salon, that I had to book months in advance. But, it's not the 'where' that matters, it's the principle of the matter."
"Well, I apologize. My secretary was right, this meeting was important. But your time is important too".
"Thank you. And so is my position".
"State your position".
"Well for starters, giving up my source goes against my journalistic principles. My integrity is not for sale and it's not something I take lightly."
"I appreciate your commitment to journalism. But this is out of my hands".
"I'm not budging on this".
"Again, as your boss, I'm ordering you to attend the hearing. And I'm willing to help you with it in any way I can".
"Even if I'm just going to invoke my right?"
"I'm not telling you how to answer, or what to say or what not to say. I'm telling you to show up, and absolve Hart Industries of any responsibility for your actions".
Jennifer decided to give up the fight and let them all make fools of themselves.
"Ok, fine. If you insist on me taking a day out of my life and assembling everyone in the senate who wants to ask me questions, just for all of us to spend about 10 minutes together with me reminding them of my rights, then so be it. I imagine that will cost the taxpayers somewhere around $450,000, but apparently nobody cares about the taxpayers, so why should I?"
"Like I was saying-I will help you in any way I can. My secretary will call you tomorrow with the travel arrangements. Washington is only an hour flight from here, so plan to leave early, since you have to be there at 9".
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure".
"Have you ever been to one of these things?"
"No, I tend to do everything I can to avoid pissing off the federal government".
"Thank you".
Without another word, she got up and left his office.
He sat there for a few minutes hoping she would come back.