Tom rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m not sure what to say. I trusted you. We alldid.”
“Mia trusted me, too. If Cate had gotten those files, it would have beenmyfault because I convinced Mia to trust the police. I was forced to choose between the woman I love and my job. I made mychoice.”
Tom nodded, his blue eyes seeming to measure Joaquin. “In the end, it was for the best. Cate would have landed the paper and herself in a lot of hot water. What bothers me most is that you didn’t trustme. If you’d told me what was going on, I would have reined Cate in. Have I ever thrown an innocent person under the bus for aheadline?”
“If you want to write me up, fine. If you want to fireme—”
“Stop!” Tom rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to fire you, Ramirez. I could never replace you. You’re the best photojournalist this paper has everhad.”
In thatcase…
Joaquin decided to take a chance. “I’m sick to fucking death of working on-call and doing bullshit news assignments. I want more challengingwork.”
Tom nodded. “Okay. Fine. I’ll have Syd take you off the on-call schedule, and you and I can talk about the kind of assignments you’dlike.”
This had turned out better than Joaquin hadimagined.
“Tell Hughes to get in here. I’m giving her Cate’s seat—and thisstory.”
Anna was finally getting her spot on the I-Team.
“You gotit.”
* * *
Mia satin the living room of the great house up at the Cimarron, children of all ages running everywhere, people talking and laughing. All of Joaquin’s I-Team friends were here with their families. Marc and Sophie. Julian and Tessa. Reece and Kara. Zach and Natalie. Alex Carmichael. Matt. Anna Hughes, who had interviewed Mia for the story that was in today’s Denver Independent. They’d come together to catch up with Laura and Javier—and to watch Laura’s interview with Mia on the big screen in the Wests’ hometheater.
Jack and Janet had laid out a spread for them, as always—everything from bacon-wrapped figs to a dozen varieties of cheeses with baguette slices to olives and charcuterie. There was even popcorn, tortilla chips, andsalsa.
It felt like aparty.
“Are you nervous?” Laura, with her pale blond hair and Swedish beauty, managed to look glamorous in blue jeans and a Nordicsweater.
“I’m not nervous about the interview. I am a little worried about theaftermath.”
Laura reached over, gave her hand a squeeze. “Iunderstand.”
Mia knew she wasn’t just saying that. Laura had told Mia before their interview how she’d been kidnapped, held captive, and repeatedly raped by the leader of an al-Qaida splinter group until Javier, who had been a Navy SEAL at the time, had rescued her and helped her start her life over again. She had wanted Mia to understand that she wouldn’t exploit her situation. She just wanted to tell Mia’sstory.
“Based on my interviews for a follow-up story, I think you can expect a lot of support from the military community. You’re what an Army officershouldbe, and everyone in uniform knowsthat.”
“I hope you’reright.”
“More wine?” Jackasked.
Mia shook her head. “No, thank you. It’s a good thing you have a bighouse.”
Jack glanced around, grinning. “Chaos. I love it. There was a time after the death of my first wife when this house felt too big, when I was the only one here. Then Nate came home, badly wounded. Those were hardtimes.”
Mia could understand that kind of loneliness. Oh, yes, shecould.
“My son met Megan, and she brought him back to life. She brought this motley crew with her. There isn’t a day when I’m notgrateful.”
Janet must have overheard. She leaned down. “He loves having friends over—the more, the merrier. Nate and Javier served together. Did you knowthat?”
“Joaquin told me on the wayup.”
The doorbellrang.