THE REPORTER

David Adashek adjusted his wire-rimmed bifocals, then knocked on the double doors of Suite 810.  No reply.  He knocked again, this time louder.  The door opened, revealing a groggy Maggie Taylor standing behind it, wearing nothing but a white robe.  It was untied, exposing her tan breasts.

"David, Christ, what time is it?"

"Almost noon.  Rough night?"

She smiled, still half asleep.  "Not as rough as my husband's, I'm sure.  Sit."  She pointed to a pair of white sofas that faced a big-screen TV in the living area.'

"Nice suite.  Where's Bud?"

Maggie curled up on the far sofa opposite Adashek.  "He left about two hours ago.  You did a nice job of harassing Jonas at the lecture."

"Is all this necessary, Maggie?  He seems like a decent enough guy—"

"So you marry him.  After almost ten years, I've had enough."

"Why not just divorce him and get it over with?"

"It's not that simple.  Now that I'm in the media's eye, my agent says we have to be very careful about what the public's perception will be.  Jonas still has a lot of friends in this town.  He has to come off as a lunatic.  People have to believe that his actions brought this divorce on.  Last night was a good start."

"So what's next?"

"Where's Jonas now?"

Adashek pulled out his notes.  "He went home with the Tanaka woman—"

"Jonas?  With another woman?"  Maggie laughed hysterically.

"It was innocent.  Just a ride home from the awards.  I followed him to the commuter airport earlier this morning.  They're headed to Monterey.  My guess is to that new whale lagoon the Tanaka Oceanographic Institute is constructing.

"Okay, stay with him, and keep me informed.  By the end of next week, I want you to go public with the Navy story, emphasizing the fact that two of the crew were killed.  Once the story hits, you'll do a follow-up interview with me, then I'll push for the divorce, public humiliation and all."

"You're the boss.  Listen, if I'm going to be following Jonas, I'll need some more cash."

Terry pulled a thick envelope out of her robe pocket.  "Bud says to save the receipts."

Yeah, thought Adashek, I'm sure he needs the write-off.