“So, I’m thinking,” continued Louise, “until you get some new bites on this, you might want to splice in some of the business from the DeBlass case. Remind people our lieutenant broke one of the big ones, took a hit in the line of duty. Build up confidence.”
“I don’t want to take the focus off the current investigation.”
“Maybe you do,” Louise disagreed. “At least until there’s a new lead. Or a new victim.”
Nadine grinned. “A little more blood would heat things up. Another couple of days, we’ll be out of the sweeps and into the June doldrums. Okay, I’ll keep it in mind. You might want to put something together.”
Louise cocked a brow. “I might?”
“And if I use it, you get full on-air credit, you greedy bitch.”
“Deal.” Louise tapped the pocket of her editing vest, winced. “Out of smokes.”
“You’ve got to stop that. You know how the brass feel about employees taking health risks.”
“I’m sticking with the herb shit.”
“Shit’s right. Get me a couple while you’re at it.” Nadine had the grace to look sheepish. “And keep it to yourself. They’re tougher on the on-air talent than you techs.”
“You’ve got some time before the midnight recap. Aren’t you going to take your break?”
“No, I’ve got a couple of calls to make. Besides, it’s pouring out.” Nadine patted her perfectly coiffed hair. “You go.” She reached into her bag. “I’ll pay.”
“Good deal—since I have to go all the way to Second to find a store that’s licensed to sell smokes.” Resigned, she rose. “I’m using your raincoat.”
“Go ahead.” Nadine passed her a handful of credits. “Just put my share in the pocket, okay? I’ll be in the newsroom.”
They walked out together, with Louise bundling into the stylish blue coat. “Nice material.”
“Sheds water like a duck.”
They crossed the rampway, passed a series of editing and production rooms, and walked toward a descending people glide. Noise began to filter through, so Nadine pitched her voice over it.
“Are you and Bongo still thinking of taking the big step?”
“Thinking hard enough that we’ve started looking at apartments. We’re going the traditional route. We’ll give living together a try for a year. If it works, we’ll make it legal.”
“Better you than me,” Nadine said with feeling. “I can’t think of a single reason why a rational person would lock themselves to another rational person.”
“Love.” Louise put a dramatic hand to her heart. “It makes reason and rationality fly out the old window.”
“You’re young and free, Louise.”
“And if I’m lucky, I’m going to be old and chained to Bongo.”
“Who the hell wants to be chained to anybody named Bongo?” Nadine muttered.
“Me. Catch you later.” With a quick salute, Louise continued on the descent while Nadine stepped off toward the newsroom.
And thinking of Bongo, Louise wondered if she’d be able to get home before one A.M. It was their night at her place. That was a little inconvenience that would end once they found one suitable apartment rather than shifting back and forth between his rooms and hers.
Idly, she glanced over at one of the many monitors lining the walls, playing Channel 75’s current broadcast. Right now it was a popular sitcom, a dead medium that had been revived over the past couple years by talent such as Yvonne Metcalf’s.
Louise shook her head over that thought, then chuckled a little as the life-sized actor on screen mugged outrageously for the viewing audience.
Nadine might have been married to the news, but Louise liked sheer entertainment. She looked forward to those rare evenings when she and Bongo could cuddle up in front of the screen.
In Channel 75’s wide lobby there were more monitors, security stations, and a pleasant sitting area ringed with holograms of the station’s stars. And, of course, a gift shop stocked with souvenir T-shirts, hats, signed mugs, and holograms of the station’s biggest stars.