This, too, was strategy. Avery wanted Mr. Germaine, and now Mr. Hillary, to know she had arrived. But she also wanted to stay out of sight. She would avoid them as long as possible. Long enough for them to drink too much and lose their edge. Then, when dinner was served she’d find her preassigned spot at the long table, don a big smile, and sit with all the other personalities that made up the lineup at HAP News. Out of reach and untouchable. At least for the night. Tomorrow was another day.
“Hiding out on the beach sounds delightful,” Christine said. “I’ll steal a bottle of Dom, or whatever this glorious stuff is, and meet you down there.”
They gave each other a quick peck on the cheek before heading off in opposite directions. Avery started her careful advance through the party, doing her best to avoid the land mines she knew were waiting.
CHAPTER 4
Playa del Rey, CA Saturday, June 5, 2021
IN ADDITION TO HER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AVERY HAD ALSO RECRUITED Katelyn Carson, a morning show host, to hide out with her on the beach. The surf cascaded toward them in robust waves that crashed onto shore before sputtering out a few paces from where they stood. The roaring surf complimented the acoustic harmonies that spilled down from the three-man band playing on Mosley Germaine’s patio, some sort of folk music—a Lumineers cover, or maybe Mumford and Sons. The setting tempted Avery to have a second glass of champagne. She resisted.
When viewed from the beach, the house was a magnificent structure with a slate roof and stucco siding brightened by the setting sun. The straight trunks of palm trees painted long shadows that flanked the property. A wooden gangplank cut across a short belt of rubble and cattails that separated the home from the beach. With every window and door open, the interior living space blended with the patio, which was populated by the talent at HAP News, from morning to midday, from prime time to weekends.
“Your final episode was insanity,” Katelyn Carson said. “I have no idea how you did it. I was scared to death for you.”
Avery’s sunken minivan episode, which she had dedicated to her fallen predecessor, continued to be popular. It was not only the most watched hour of the season, but had racked up millions of views on the network’s online streaming service.
“What you couldn’t see on television,” Avery said, “were the rescue divers surrounding the van and ready to save me if I ran into any trouble.”
“I don’t care if Aquaman was in that pool, I would never have been able to do it. Everyone here was talking about it earlier.”
“I have Christine to thank for making it look so good.”
Christine shook her head. “I didn’t need to do much other than roll the tape. You did the rest.”
“I heard ratings were through the roof,” Katelyn said.
“Through the roof, indeed,” came a deep voice from behind them.
Avery felt the smile fall from her face as she looked over her shoulder to see not just Mosley Germaine, but David Hillary as well. She quickly recovered and forced her lips upward again.
“American Events has really brightened your star,” Mosley said.
The subtle jab—that the show had created Avery’s popularity—did not go unnoticed. Nor did the fact that she had removed her high heels in order to navigate through the sand. She badly wanted the inches back as Mosley Germaine approached her.
“Mosley,” Avery said, still smiling. “The house looks beautiful, as always.”
“Thank you. It begs the question of why you’re hiding down here on the beach.”
“Not hiding. Just enjoying the ambiance. It must be amazing to have the ocean as your neighbor.”
“We hoped you would have joined us for drinks before dinner,” David Hillary said, steering the conversation despite Avery’s best efforts at small talk.
“I didn’t see you when I arrived,” Avery said to Germaine. “And, Mr. Hillary, I didn’t even know you were here. What a treat.” She pointed at his white seersucker. “I love your suit.”
“Dinner is about to be served,” Mosley said. “So I guess we’ll have no time for drinks.”
“Already? I feel like I just got here. Christine and I were catching up with Katelyn. We don’t get to see her much these days.”
Mosley smiled. He looked at Katelyn and Christine. “Would you mind giving David and me a moment alone with Avery?”
“Sure,” Katelyn said.
Christine nodded. “Of course.”
“Everyone is getting seated,” Mosley said. “We’ll just be a minute.”
Despite her best efforts to avoid this very situation, Avery found herself alone with not only her boss, but her boss’s boss as well.
“Avery,” David said after Katelyn and Christine were gone. “I wanted to take a moment in private to let you know how very impressed I’ve been this year with what you’ve done on American Events. You’ve really leaned into the show and allowed it to display your strengths as a journalist and host.”
Avery smiled. Another backhanded compliment. She bit her tongue and didn’t take the bait. This could get ugly fast if she wasn’t careful.
“Mosley and I are confused about why you rejected the contract extension.”
“Yes, about that. My agent and I are preparing a counteroffer but we don’t have everything finalized just yet.”
“We offered the extension weeks ago.”
“I know. I was concentrating on finishing the last few episodes of AE and, unfortunately, all my focus has gone into the show.”
“Understandable,” David said. “But the season has ended and we need an answer from you. You’re either in, or you’re out. You see, we run one of the most successful networks on television for a reason. We plan things out for the future and don’t like surprises. We’re trying to lock in the fall lineup, and we need to know if that includes you or not.”
“Of course. I’m meeting with Dwight this week.”
“What was the problem with the offer? We heard only that you had rejected it, but no specifics were given,” Mosley asked.
“Well . . .” Avery said. “You know, I wasn’t prepared to discuss this tonight. Maybe we could put it off until next week when I can bring Dwight into the discussion.”
“Time is of the essence,” Mosley said. “We’re working on a tight deadline to get things organized for the fall. Perhaps you could hint at what the holdup is about.”
It was more a statement that a question.
“Dwight was hung up on the dollar value,” Avery said.