Private Scandals

that McNeil was passing information on to Angela?”
    “Deanna’s staff. I’d be certain of that. I’d also give odds that it would have leaked downstairs.” There was an excitement brewing in him now. The kind he recognized as energy from a puzzle nearly solved. “There’s always been a lot of interaction between Deanna’s people and the newsroom. Are we on the same wavelength here? Three people are deadbecause they threatened Deanna in some way.”
    “I can’t comment about that, Mr. Riley.”
    Finn shoved back from the table. “Damn it, I’m not here as a reporter. I’m not looking for a scoop, the latest tidbit from an unnamed police source. You want to frisk me for a mike?”
    “I don’t think you’re after a story, Mr. Riley,” Jenner said calmly. “If I’d ever thought that, you never would have gotten your foot in the door. But maybe I think you’re too used to doing things your own way, to running your own show to handle the delicate matter of cooperation.”
    Finn slammed his hands down on the table. “If you think you’re going to brush me off, you’re wrong. You’re right about the harassment, Lieutenant. One phone call and I can have a dozen cameras dogging your every move. I can put so much pressure on you that you won’t be able to sneeze without someone sticking a mike up your nose. Before you catch your next breath Chicago will be buzzing about a serial killer. The commissioner and the mayor will love that, won’t they?” He waited half a beat. “You use me, or I’ll use you. It’s your choice.”
    Jenner folded his arms on the table, leaned forward against them. “I don’t like threats.”
    “Neither do I. But I’ll do a lot more than threaten if you try to block me out now.” He looked at the victims on the board. “He could lose it.” He spoke quietly now, carefully. “He could lose it anytime and try to put her up there. You’re pissed because I did some tracking on my own, fine. Be pissed. But use me. Or by God I’ll use you.”
    Objectively, Jenner buried his irritation, calculating how much damage would be done by a media war. Too much, he mused. It was always too much.
    “Let’s do this, Mr. Riley. Let’s say we theorize that McNeil was the first victim of three—and we’ll want to keep that under our hat.”
    “I told you I’m not interested in a story.”
    “Just laying down the ground rules. We’ll theorize that, and that only a limited number of people had the knowledgethat would lead to motive for his murder.” He gestured to a chair, waiting for Finn to sit again. “Tell me about those people. Start with Loren Bach.” In the spirit of compromise, Jenner opened the file on Loren that Angela had commissioned from Beeker.
     
    Cassie walked into Deanna’s office, then let out a long, long sigh. Deanna stood on a stool in the center of the room, the seamstress at her feet. Yards of shimmering white silk billowed.
    “It’s gorgeous.”
    “It’s barely started.” But Deanna was almost sighing herself as she brushed a hand over the sweeping skirt neatly pinned to the lacy bodice. Irish lace, she mused. For Finn. “But you’re right.”
    “I’ve got to get my camera.” Inspired, Cassie bolted for the door. “Don’t move.”
    “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “You must be still,” the seamstress complained over a mouthful of pins. Her voice was raspy, as if she’d already swallowed more than her share.
    Deanna used all her willpower not to shift from foot to foot. “I am being still.”
    “You’re vibrating like a spring.”
    “Sorry.” Deanna took a long, steadying breath. “I guess I’m nervous.”
    “The bride-to-be,” Cassie recited as she walked back in with a Palmcorder blocking her face. “Deanna Reynolds, the reigning queen of daytime TV, has chosen an elegant gown of . . .”
    “Italian silk,” the seamstress prompted. “With touches of Irish lace and a sea of freshwater pearls.”
    “Exquisite,” Cassie said soberly. “And tell us, Miss Reynolds—” with an expert’s touch, she zoomed in on Deanna’s face—“how do you feel on this exciting occasion?”
    “Terrified.” She crossed her eyes. If the fitting took five minutes over the allotted hour, she’d be making up time allweek. “And partially insane. Other than that I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
    “If you’ll just stand perfectly still, I’ll do a little circle around so that our viewers can get the full effect.” Cassie