Page 31 of Clearly Charmed

‘It’s all about clicks and likes now. The more shocking the headline the better.’ He plucked out another quill near Julius’s right eye. ‘There used to be a joke in newsrooms that “if it bleeds, it leads.”’

He blew out an agitated breath. ‘Facts don’t matter anymore. Biases too often inform what is said, not only in print, but on air, too. Now if you’re a hack on a cable news network, and you’re looking to make a quick buck, you write a scathing tell-all about a beloved president,’ he fumed. ‘It’s frustrating for those of us who are still dedicated to the ethics of journalism.’

He shifted his forceps higher up to pull more quills from poor Julius’s forehead. ‘And don’t get me started on the billionaires buying up reputable media and then using it as their own moral and political platforms.’

‘Tell me how you really feel, Bryce,’ I said, trying to get him to take a breath.

The bitter laugh that slipped out of him was surprising. ‘That was a lot. I’m sure the last thing you wanted was a lecture about the demise of modern journalism.’

‘Honestly? I like hearing about what you do. What your beliefs are.’

Another smile curled up the corners of his lips. I didn’t want this with him. The easy banter. How the conversation felt too real and raw. Too much like the exchanges I’d had with Max.

I stayed quiet while we worked for another few minutes, making good progress with Julius, whose poor face would be swollen for days.

‘We’ve danced around the story you’re writing about Harvest Moon.’ I sighed. ‘Should we talk about it? Because it feels like the elephant in the room.’

‘Ask me anything you want.’

‘You didn’t answer my question up on the point. Why this town? It’s not your usual kind of story.’

‘So we’re back to that, are we?’

‘Like I said, enemies closer and all that.’

He pointed the pliers in my direction. ‘That is something I’m going to change. Mark my words.’

‘Stop tap-dancing. Why take an assignment about a sleepy Colorado town when you’re used to reporting on war-torn countries? Places facing a hunger crisis?’ I went back to pulling more quills as I added, ‘Does this have anything to do with your article in the LA Sentinel last May?’

‘Fucking Google,’ he said under his breath.

‘It is the first result that pops up for your name. Did that movie studio really sue you for ten million dollars?’

The veins in his neck pulled tight as he took a gulp. ‘That story… it was complicated.’

‘It’s going to take at least another hour to get all these quills out. We have time.’

He hesitated, before saying, ‘For years I’ve wanted to work on a big investigative feature, and the studio story sort of fell into my lap. It came in as a tip to my email. At first, I didn’t believe it, until I started doing some digging. I mean, hours and hours of interviews and research. Basically, a year and a half of my life. The story turned into some of my best work. My best writing.’ He set down the forceps, scrubbed his hand behind his neck, which I was quickly learning was his anxious tic.

‘The break I needed came in an email eight months ago. An anonymous source sent me documents showing how the head of a big Hollywood studio was embezzling money. It was going to blow the story wide open. We’re talking a possible Pulitzer, because the corruption went deep into the belly of the film business. When I went to my bosses, they were thrilled. Newspapers are a dying breed, and any kind of exclusive story you can bring in is huge.’

‘Embezzling? Is nobody honest anymore?’

‘In all my years of reporting, I’ve learned one big thing. People get desperate and panic. Make stupid choices. Hold back the truth because they think it might implicate them in some way.’

‘What happened next?’ I asked.

He set a hand on Julius’s back, giving him a gentle pet. ‘The piece appeared as a front-page exposé. At first, people said I was going to get the Pulitzer. But then two months ago, when I went into work, my publisher was waiting at my desk. He took me into his office. Said the studio was suing me and the paper for millions. That they’d discovered my source, and that person had recanted every word.’ He pushed out a full, weary breath. ‘As part of an out-of-court settlement to protect them and me, the paper agreed to print a front-page retraction. State I’d used unverified sources.’ The stricken look in his eyes shook something inside of me. ‘I pleaded for more time. Asked to reach out to more sources. Dig a little more so we could fight the lawsuit. Prove what I’d written was accurate. The publisher said the matter was done.’

He let out a defeated sigh. ‘Just like that, in a matter of minutes, my career went up in flames. Ten years of experience. Of writing about topics that meant something to me, and then, like a nightmare, the phone stopped ringing.’ The way he shook his head, like he still couldn’t believe it, was hard to watch. ‘So, to answer you, I’m here writing about Harvest Moon because it’s the only job I could get.’

The internet results had not given much detail, and the cautious part of me wondered if he was spinning this tale now for my benefit. To loosen me up. Get me to trust him. My skepticism born out of years of dealing with Belladonna. But the way he kept petting Julius, how he looked embarrassed when he admitted he couldn’t find a job, said he was being honest. That he had everything to lose by confessing the truth to me.

‘I’m sorry, Bryce,’ was all I could offer in the moment.

He gave a subtle shrug and went back to working on the last of the quills. Julius whined again as I plucked out the final barbs around his mouth. Once I examined his muzzle, I removed my gloves and did a final check of his body, running my hands along his neck until a sharp, biting pain shot through me.

‘Shit!’ A large white quill sat in the pad of my index finger. I pulled it out, and Bryce was beside me in a flash, tugging off his gloves, and yanking out the edge of his T-shirt to staunch the small bead of blood. The heat of him surrounded me. His warm breath spilled over my face. Those stunning eyes went molten, and his wet lips parted.