Twenty minutes later Kat arrived home, exhausted but happy. Harry was expected to make a full recovery and would be discharged soon. You couldn’t put a dollar figure on that.
While she did get his house back, there was no escaping the fact that he was now saddled with debt. It was tragic, really. The fact that Hillary would face fraud charges was little consolation.
Kat kicked off her shoes at the front door, dropped her coat on the stairway banister, and headed upstairs. She was still astounded that Zachary’s trading fiasco earlier today had ruined what little was left of Edgewater Investments. Why he had gambled away whatever he had left was a mystery. He had barely avoided personal bankruptcy himself. Maybe he just wasn’t used to losing. Too bad it was the investors’ money he was playing with.
Kat reached the top of the stairs and froze in her tracks.
Someone was in the study. The chair creaked, the way it did when someone sat in it and swiveled. Whoever it was also tapped on the keyboard.
Kat spied a broom in the open hall closet and grabbed it. She brandished it above her head as she peered inside.
The intruder sat at the desk with his back to Kat.
She was about to turn and run when the chair suddenly spun around.
“You’re here!” Jace grinned and jumped out of the chair. He stopped and held up his arms in surrender. “Don’t hit me.”
Kat dropped the broom and rushed over to embrace him. “You’re out of the hospital? I thought you had to stay a few more days. Why didn’t you call me?”
Jace pulled back to study Kat. “I figured I’d surprise you.”
“They discharged you already? But I thought—”
“I’ve got to get my story out, Kat. Before someone else does.” He kissed her.
“You checked yourself out? With a concussion?” Kat pulled back and touched his forehead. Jace’s bruises were turning purple and he looked like a crash victim.
Jace didn’t answer.
“Jace, you should have stayed in the hospital.” She pulled on his good arm. “I’m taking you back. Just tell me what you need done and I’ll do it.”
Jace shook his head. “I feel fine, and besides—I need to—and want to—do this myself. I want to see Pinslett and the rest of these guys nailed.”
“You’re not usually one to hold a grudge.”
“I’m not letting them get away with this, Kat. They can’t keep taking whatever they want with impunity. Laws are meant to be followed by everybody—including the rich. Even Hillary.”
Kat couldn’t argue with that. “I know, but you should at least rest. We can pick up on your story once you’re recovered.”
“Too late.” Jace smiled at her. “Pinslett can’t hide the truth. He might own a lot of radio, television, and newspapers. But he can’t control social media. Look.”
He pointed to the computer monitor. “My story’s gone viral—it’s everywhere. Pinslett can’t deny his involvement in the mortgage fraud. I’ve got the proof.”
Kat studied the screen. It was true. Pinslett had hastily organized a press conference. For once the media tycoon was on the defensive.
“And my story’s finally out there.” Jace smiled. “I’ve got something to say, and Pinslett can’t stop me. Now that it’s in the public eye, the authorities are forced to investigate it. Unless they want a public outcry.”
Kat studied the video clip, a repeat from a news conference earlier today. Gordon Pinslett sat at a table with several of his media henchmen at a long table. The Sentinel logo was displayed prominently on the wall behind them.
A defiant Gordon Pinslett denied any involvement in the fraud, insisting he had no part in the mortgage fraud and real estate flipping.
But even without the proof, Kat could spot a liar. He was stammered as he struggled to find the right words to get the reporters off his back.
“I don’t see what’s changed. He’s still denying—”
“Wait for it, Kat.”
The story moved to a second clip, just minutes ago. Kat listed to the reporter voice-over as Pinslett was led, handcuffed, out of the main doors of his media conglomerate. Half a dozen reporters stood at the entrance, peppering him with questions. The disgraced media tycoon ignored them. He dropped his head as he was ushered into the waiting police car.
“My story came out during his news conference. Once it was public, it couldn’t be ignored. Even the traditional media had to report on it. No one’s above the law. Not only that, but Roger Landers has the goods on him too. Apparently Pinslett asked Landers to stop the story.”
“Landers fire-bombed our house? I’ll kill him.”
“Relax, Kat. Pinslett asked him to, but Landers didn’t do it. He did, however, record the conversation, and dozens of others he’s had with the guy. All very incriminating. Landers might be self-serving, but at least he’s transparent about it. He only wanted the story—an exposé on the World Institute, just like I did.”
“What about all that stuff about Svensson’s murder?”
“Fishing for a story, I guess, or trying to throw us off the scent. At any rate, it’s something the police will sort out.”
Kat kind of doubted that. Just as she figured, Landers was still trying to steal Jace’s story. But Jace was right. Landers really was harmless compared to Gordon Pinslett, Nathan Barron, and the rest of the World Institute. And with Jace’s story now public, there was little Landers could do to steal his thunder.
“You did the right thing, Jace. Even if it did cost you your job.” She hugged him. “Do you really have no hard feelings towards Landers? He gave us up.”
“Maybe, but I kind of feel sorry for him. He’s so desperate for glory that he’s willing to fabricate a story out of thin air. He’s ruined as a journalist. Who will take him seriously now?”