Louisa Neil (3 page)

That afternoon she had an odd feeling of dread she couldn’t shake. Just like last night, it was something she couldn’t define, only a feeling she didn’t like. The hum of the old fluorescent lights lulled her back to work. She didn’t know how long, only that the humming had stopped and they were dimming and then coming back on. Looking upward, she noted the lights were still working, as were her machines. She wondered if there were power outages in the area, thankful she’d talked Walter into a backup generator when she’d started working for him. After several long discussions, he’d finally agreed that all the computers needed steady power, or much of everyone’s work could be lost. Glancing upward, she saw them dim and come back yet again.

“What the hell,” she said, used to speaking aloud since she was always alone. Today she wasn’t prepared for an answer.

“Indeed, what the hell,” the male voice answered.

The voice that came from behind startled her. She hadn’t heard him approach. Her hand rose automatically to cover her wildly beating heart before she slowly turned around. The man standing halfway down the stairs didn’t frighten her so much as make her stare. In a flash, she realized he’d been there for a while. She just didn’t know how long. The creaky stairs hadn’t warned her she wasn’t alone. He was tall, probably over six feet. He was handsome from a distance, his brown hair brushing his shoulders. He was wearing well-worn jeans and a light-blue, man-tailored shirt with the cuffs rolled back, exposing his forearms.

“Did I scare you?” he asked, descending the rest of the stairs. He paused at the bottom and scanned the room as well as her.

Diana felt a heat creep up her cheeks, embarrassed when he caught her staring at him. She was at a loss for words and found herself just watching him as he approached. Snap out of it, girl, she thought as he continued to approach. Finally, she found her voice.

“Can I help you with something?” Even to her own ears her tone sounded afraid. She drew a few deep breaths and narrowed her eyes as she watched him smile at her unease.

“Just wandering,” he answered. As he got closer, she noted he was very handsome. His jaw was squared and his nose a bit too large for his face. He had brown eyes that seemed to look through her. When he was just steps away, he reached his hand to her. “I’m Dane, Dane Bowie.”

Diana went to shake his hand and hesitated, tugging off the print-filled glove before raising hers. She was inexplicably hesitant to actually touch him. “Diana Wilson,” she managed. “How can I help you, Mr. Bowie?”

“I don’t need any help,” he told her as he continued to hold her hand. “I’m just surveying the area.”

And me, she added silently. Finally she tugged her hand from his, realizing he was holding her as a tactic. She didn’t like games or people invading her workspace.

“If you have a request for information from back issues, there’s a computer at the head of the stairs. Just type in your request, and when I locate it, I’ll send it up by computer.” She hesitated. “Didn’t anyone upstairs tell you about our system?”

“Yes, of course. But since I don’t need any back information, I decided to just come down and look around.”

“At what?” Diana knew the question was curt, but she didn’t like interruptions to her workday. Especially people who had no actually reason to be there.

“You and your workspace, of course.” His words came with a laugh and a smile. “I suppose I should explain. As I said, I’m Dane Bowie. The somewhat proud, somewhat insane new owner of this musty establishment.”

“You mean you bought the building?”

She didn’t like being laughed at, but this time he seemed to soften. “Walter didn’t tell you? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. It seems he didn’t tell any of the employees.”

“Tell us what? You’ve got me completely confused.”

“My partner, Sloan Shayla, and I just bought this fine old newspaper and the building.”

Diana noted the sarcasm in his tone. She knew she should have just shut her mouth, but she couldn’t hold back from his taunt, even though it wasn’t technically directed at her. “Why buy the newspaper if you’re going to degrade it? I’d think you’d want all your employees to be excited about new ownership and your plans.” Then it became clear why Walter’s office blinds had been drawn lately. Secret meetings about the sale, she decided.

“You are blunt.” He laughed again. “I was warned about that, but I thought Walter was being overly cautious.”

Diana figured she had nothing to lose at this point. It was obvious her job was now at stake, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t coddle any man who talked about the newspaper and job she’d come to love over the last years. “Would you rather I just tell you what I think you want to hear?” Even she realized she was becoming combative with this total stranger and, apparently, her new boss.

“Never, Ms. Wilson. I prefer blunt, as long as we’re alone. In front of others, I’d prefer some decorum.”

“May I ask what your plans for the paper are?” He moved from her personal space and began wandering around the old basement, up and down the aisles of file cabinets. She didn’t like interruptions in her workspace, and now she’d have to endure his presence. “Mr. Bowie?”

“Please, call me Dane.”

“Fine, Dane. What are your plans for the paper?”

“Don’t you really mean what are my plans for you?”

He was far enough away from her that she couldn’t see his face. “No, I asked what I meant. What are your plans for the paper? Will you continue to run it, or are you going to shut us down?” She watched him approach from a different aisle as he surveyed the cabinet headings.

“Interesting.” He paused at the head of the aisle and propped his elbow on top of the cabinet. “You don’t technically publish in the paper yet you’re worried. You have a contract. If I decide this fool’s errand is a waste of time, your contract will be bought out.”

“Fool’s errand? You must be insane. Don’t you realize how much history and information are in these old pages? Don’t you think future generations will be interested in how New Orleans grew, what her history is?”

“You are dedicated. I’ll give you that. And just so you’ll relax and lose that grimace on your pretty face, we, my partner and I, intend to keep the paper going.” He smiled widely at her.

His smile was more snide than sly, Diana decided. “You mentioned a partner. Which of you will be running the place?”

“What you really want to ask is who you’ll have to answer to.”

“That, too.” She nodded in agreement. “But the question is still valid. Who will be my new boss, and what’s going to happen to Walter?”

Dane nodded his head. “So you’re worried about Walter.” He walked down the next aisle, scanning the cabinets. “Walter is retiring, with a large pension, I might add. Don’t worry about him. He’ll do just fine. Don’t you think he’s spent too many years already trying to keep this paper from folding?”

“I don’t know. What I do know is we have a similar respect for the history of the paper and the city.” She didn’t add that she knew this paper was his life, just as it had become her life.

“Well, then you can relax. New Orleans was always my home, even if I’ve been away for a while.”

“And your partner, what does he think of the city and this paper?”

“He thinks it’s a fool’s errand, but he respects my judgment. He’ll only be around occasionally.”

She stood quickly, wanting to confront him. After several breaths, she decided to hold back. “So you’ll be running the place. And the archives, do you see the importance of them?”

“Your job is safe, Ms. Wilson. I’m not looking to toss you out and burn the back issues.”

“What about the rest of the staff? Are their jobs safe?” She saw him hesitate, but his back was to her.

“The rest of the staff will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Don’t worry. Most will keep some kind of employment, though it won’t be sitting at a desk here in these musty offices. To be relevant, reporters have to live life, to be a part of what is going on around them to report all aspects of a story. I want them out in the field.” He waited for her answer. She didn’t give him a prompt reply. “What are you thinking now?”

“Do they know that?”

“They will this afternoon. I’m calling a company-wide meeting at three. Everyone will be given the same information at that time.”

“Can I ask how long this...sale has been in the works?”

“Not as long as you think. I only recently decided to move back. I was looking for a project, something to keep me busy. This paper seemed the best fit.”

“So Walter didn’t market the paper. You just stopped by one day with an offer he couldn’t refuse?”

Diana wanted to hate him, but found she was softening to his presence, something she rarely let happen. If he wasn’t so handsome, if he didn’t have a kind smile, she might have stayed more professional. If he’d looked at her like she was a piece of meat or something sexual, she could have held her anger. But he hadn’t. In fact, he’d been nothing but polite and, she had to assume, truthful with his answers so far.

“I did a bit of research. Let’s just say this investment seemed the most self-sufficient.”

“Can I ask what makes you think you qualify to run a newspaper or e-paper? I mean, what degrees do you hold?”

“I assure you, Ms. Wilson, I can read and write. I know proper English and punctuation. I also know how to market this paper to its full potential.” He was standing at the end of the last aisle and pulled open the second drawer.

Diana almost told him not to touch the contents, but she noted he only glanced at the files. She hated the idea of someone new questioning her job and how she ran her department. She held back a smile, remembering how Walter had impressed upon her during her interview the importance he placed on her work, giving her full authority to order any equipment she deemed necessary. Her job title was director of archives. Now it seemed she had no choice. “Do you have any questions for me, or can I get back to work?”

“A few. For now just one. Doesn’t it bother you to work in this dirty basement with no human contact?”

“No. I took this job because I could run the department to my liking as long as the job got done. I’d been under the impression Walter was happy with my progress since I started.”

“And the dirty basement?”

“It’s not dirty. Maybe a little dusty and definitely old, but the quiet helps me concentrate. I don’t like being interrupted all day with petty gossip and the outside world. When I’m here, I get my work done. I can be social after work hours.”

He laughed openly at her. “I think I’ve just been politely told to leave you alone.” He laughed again, skirting past her as he headed to the staircase. “I’d been considering moving you up to the third floor. All those floor-to-ceiling windows. The light would be much better.”

“Light’s not good for the older paper. And I have plenty of light down here for my purpose.”

“Can I at least have the place cleaned up a bit for you?”

“I’d prefer to oversee any work done. I’m very particular with my filing system. I suppose I’m a creature of habit, but I like things as I left them”

“All right for now, Ms. Wilson. I’ll leave you alone in your dirty dungeon. The meeting is at three. Please make sure you wash up and be prompt.” He took a few steps toward her, and she took two back. Diana watched him pull a pristine, white handkerchief from his back pocket and dab at her cheek. He pulled it away, and she saw it was covered with newsprint.

“Mr. Bowie, you’ve already given me the information. Must I attend your meeting?”

“Yes. I want all the employees there when Walter officially hands over the keys.”

“Fine.” Diana knew she sounded like a spoiled child but couldn’t help it.

“It would go a long way toward getting the rest of the employees to understand the new situation if they see you accepting it.”

“I don’t interact with the other employees most of the time. Only a nod or greeting.”

“I’d still like you to be there. There’ll be champagne and cake, and I want you to meet my partner. It’s important. After that, tomorrow we’ll allow you to come back to your mousehole and back issues.” He walked back to the stairs and took them two at a time. Halfway up, he paused. “These will be replaced. I’ll let you know when the workman will be here so you can protect your precious history.”

“Thank you,” she managed. In that instant, she pictured steam coming from her ears as she’d seen in cartoons.

“And that bathroom will be replaced, too, along with the overhead lighting. Make a list of any other items you feel need to be updated to make you comfortable down here.”

“I’ve been comfortable here for two years.”

“Change is all around us. You have to accept some even if you don’t want to.”

“I’ll be at the meeting. I’ll be…congratulatory.”

“If that’s the best you can do.” He waved as he climbed the rest of the stairs and disappeared from her sight.

“Crap,” she said, dropping into her seat. “I guess I should appreciate the two years I had here that were comfortable.”

“Five years is a long time to hold a grudge.” Dane Bowie pulled his body back from the doorway and disappeared. Diana could hear his laughter for several seconds as he moved away, the sound of his footsteps getting lower.