The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl

as if she’s embarrassed by them. They’re short and low cut. Nancy quickly folds them and puts them in Erica’s suitcase.
    â€œI’m not sure about those dresses, Nancy. They’re a little bit casual and . . . revealing. Maybe a pantsuit would be better.”
    Nancy doesn’t look her in the eye, and her expression is rueful. Or is it fearful? Rosario just looks glum. There’s a long pause, and then Nancy says, “Let me see what I can do.”
    The two women leave. Moments later her phone rings. “This is Erica.”
    â€œHi, Erica, it’s Nylan.”
    She sits up straight, instantly on red alert.
    â€œI just wanted to wish you luck with Barrish.” His tone is friendly, supportive.
    â€œI’ll do my best.”
    His tone does a one-eighty and he says condescendingly, “I sure as hell don’t pay people to do anything but their best.”
    â€œUnderstood.”
    â€œI’m counting on you to land this, Erica.”
    â€œNylan’s main management tool is fear.”
    â€œI don’t want to disappoint myself, either,” Erica says.
    â€œGood girl.”
    Did he call her girl ? Just as she’s leaving to interview Kay Barrish? The irony.
    â€œListen, Erica, Los Angeles is looks-obsessed. I think you should wear a flattering dress to meet Barrish.”
    Erica looks over at the suitcase with the two dresses, and Nancy’s sheepishness suddenly makes sense.
    â€œDon’t hide your assets.” Now his voice is calm and businesslike—too calm, too businesslike, and is there a slight leering edge? It doesn’t feel like advice, or even a request—it feels like an order.
    â€œI don’t think a woman of Kay Barrish’s stature is going to be judging me on what I’m wearing.”
    â€œYou’re representing my network, Erica.”
    â€œI better get moving or I’ll miss my flight.”
    â€œ Don’t disappoint me, Erica.”
    Erica leaves the dresses in the suitcase and zips it up. Her car for the airport is arriving in twenty minutes. She picks up the phone to call Mark Benton and see if he has anything new on the ferry crash. Then, remembering the glasses on her desk and the tone in Nylan’s voice, she hangs up. She grabs the suitcase and heads for the elevators.

CHAPTER 15
    ERICA LOOKS AT THE ELEVATOR ’ S control panel. She hears Greg’s voice: “Let it go . Let’s move on.” Then she hears Archie Hallowell’s, fierce with passion, quoting Shakespeare: “Time’s glory is to unmask falsehood and bring truth to light.”
    Bring truth to light. Watched or not. Threatened or not.
    Erica presses the button marked 3.
    As the elevator descends, she says the Serenity Prayer. The doors open. Erica gets off and heads down the hall, suitcase in tow. Mark Benton is in his office, and she’s surprised to see his face isn’t inches from the computer screen, but buried in a windsurfing magazine.
    â€œMark, do you have a minute?”
    He puts down the magazine. “Sure, it’s a slow day.”
    She steps into the office and closes the door behind her. “I’m going to cut right to the chase.” She lowers her voice, almost to a whisper. “Would it be possible for you, hypothetically, to get into the Staten Island ferry’s computer system and figure out what happened that day?”
    â€œOh sure, no problem. I haven’t committed any felonies lately. Seriously, it would be very difficult. Just speaking hypothetically.”
    â€œOf course.”
    They exchange a small smile as Mark’s eyes light up and he swivels to his computer screen.
    â€œThanks for the information,” Erica says.
    â€œI have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mark says, already punching keys.
    Erica starts to leave, then turns. “You windsurf?”
    Without taking his eyes off the screen, Mark smiles. “Yeah. I’m going out on