ERICA IS ON HER WAY to work. She’s not sure what to make of the chemistry that sparked between her and Greg last night, but this morning she feels buoyant. In spite of her vow to avoid any emotional entanglements, she knows that the heart has a mind of its own.
As she approaches the Time and Life Building, she runs into Nancy Huffman.
“Good morning, starshine,” Nancy says.
“I wore the blue dress last night. I think it brought me good luck.”
“You strike me as the kind of woman who makes her own luck.” As they near the building’s entrance, Nancy lowers her voice. “I’m sorry about that stunt Claire Wilcox pulled, stealing the ferry story. She sees you as a real threat. I think she has her sights set on Nylan.”
“Romantically?”
“Yes. She wants to create the ultimate power couple.” They enter the building, and Nancy nods in the direction of Le Pain Quotidien at the far end of the lobby. “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. Can I get you something?”
“I could use a cup of tea. I’ll come with you.”
Le Pain Quotidien is jammed with workers picking up morning sustenance. As they wait, Erica asks, “So where did you work before GNN?”
“On a couple of soaps. But they kept getting canceled. When this job opened, I pounced. The culture around here is . . . dark, but the pay is good and my mother has Alzheimer’s and her nursing home ain’t cheap.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. It is what it is. I do love the excitement at GNN—I’m a news junkie. And I just don’t think you-know-who is a first-class journalist. She’s a thimbleful of talent in an ocean of ambition. Of course, that ocean can trigger some mighty waves.”
“I got swamped by one.”
There’s a tall handsome guy a little ways in front of them in the line. Dirty-blond shaggy hair, lean and toned, he has a cobalt stud in one ear, is wearing a linen Cuban shirt and cool sunglasses, and has a long string of beads around his neck. He looks like he should be wasting away in Margaritaville, not waiting in line with a thousand office drones. He orders a triple espresso in a low drawl and then favors the barista with a killer smile. As he walks away with his java, Nancy leans into Erica and says sotto voce, “That’s Dave Mullen, the head of the cybersecurity division.”
“You’re kidding me. I thought it was Matthew McConaughey’s younger brother.”
“Good call. His favorite vacation spot is Colorado. And he’s not a skier.”
“You mean . . .?”
Nancy brings her thumb and forefinger up to her mouth and mock inhales. “With some”—she makes a sharp inhalation through her nose—“as a capper.”
“And he’s protecting us from North Korea.”
“Computer freaks are a breed apart. And apparently he’s the best, a white-hot wizard. Plus—and you didn’t hear this from me—he’s been seen with Nylan after hours. In some pretty unsavory places.”
“Like?”
“Clubs that cater to . . . listen, it’s none of my business what two consenting adults do together.”
“Oh come on, Nancy, you can’t lead me on like that and not deliver the goods.”
Nancy leans in to Erica. “We’re both grown-ups; we know that some people get pleasure inflicting pain.”
“I did read Fifty Shades of Grey. Or tried to.”
“No, I mean real pain. I’ve heard rumors that one of Nylan’s . . . dates . . . ended up in the emergency room.”
“Oh no.”
“I never bought that laid-back Zuckerberg act of his. That man is wound tight. And I don’t want to be around when he snaps.”
They reach the front of the line, and as Erica orders her tea, she thinks, GNN is very tricky terrain.