Chapter 20
THE VANGUARD
The editor's phone rang ten minutes after he hung up with Amelia.
Different number. A woman's voice.
"She's hesitating."
The editor's stomach dropped. "You were listening."
"We provided the tip. We expect results."
"She needs time—"
"No." The word was absolute. "The story. Published. Soon. Before your reporter decides her personal attachments matter more than the truth."
The editor's blood went cold. "How do you—"
"Remind her what's at stake," the woman said, voice dropping lower. "And remind yourself. Your organization has benefited greatly from our support. It would be unfortunate if that were to ... evaporate."
The line went dead.
The editor stared at his phone, hands shaking.
He'd thought they were donors.
He'd been wrong.