CHAPTER 7: THE RIVAL JOURNALIST
624 Words
By the following morning, Elena had decided on two things.
She would not tell Adrian about the new message.
And she would not allow whoever was sending them to control her.
The second decision lasted approximately eleven minutes.
She entered the hotel conference room and found Nathan Reed already sitting at the front.
Nathan turned.
His eyes landed on her.
Then he smiled.
"Elena Hart."
She stopped.
"Nathan Reed."
They had crossed paths several times in journalism circles.
Nathan was talented.
Ambitious.
And irritatingly competitive.
"I heard you got the Ravens assignment."
"I did."
"Big opportunity."
"It is."
He leaned back.
"Especially with the captain."
Elena's expression remained neutral.
"What about him?"
Nathan smiled.
"You know exactly what I mean."
"No, I don't."
"Adrian Cross."
She closed her notebook.
"He's the captain."
"He's also your ex."
Elena froze.
Nathan's smile widened.
"So it is true."
"Who told you?"
"No one had to."
"What does that mean?"
"People talk."
"Then people should find better things to talk about."
Nathan laughed.
"I like you."
"I don't."
"I know."
He stood.
"I've been covering hockey for six years. You may have the championship assignment, but I'm not going to let you walk away with every story."
"I'm not competing with you."
"You will be."
He walked away.
Elena watched him go.
Something about him bothered her.
Not because he was competitive.
Because he seemed to know more than he should.
---
The Ravens played that evening.
Elena sat among the press photographers as the players entered the rink.
The crowd erupted.
Adrian came last.
Captain.
Leader.
The face of the team.
He raised his stick toward the crowd before joining the others.
Elena watched him through her camera lens.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Then she noticed Nathan standing several feet away.
He wasn't watching the game.
He was watching her.
She lowered the camera.
Nathan smiled.
She ignored him.
The game began.
The Ravens struggled during the first period.
Boston scored early.
The crowd erupted.
Adrian slammed his stick against the ice in frustration.
Elena wrote quickly.
The second period began.
The Ravens fought back.
Adrian assisted on the first goal.
Then scored the second.
The stadium exploded.
Elena couldn't help smiling.
For a moment, she forgot everything.
She forgot the photograph.
The messages.
The past.
She was simply watching Adrian play.
And then he looked toward the press area.
Straight at her.
Their eyes met.
His expression softened.
Her smile disappeared.
She looked away.
---
After the game, Elena returned to the media room.
Nathan was already there.
"You looked happy."
She frowned.
"What?"
"During the game."
"I enjoy good hockey."
"That's not what I meant."
She packed her notebook.
"Nathan, if you have something to say, say it."
He leaned against the table.
"I've been researching the Ravens."
"Congratulations."
"Five years ago, Adrian suddenly left the city."
Elena's hands stopped.
Nathan continued.
"Nobody knew why."
"You've been researching him."
"I've been researching the team."
"Why?"
"Because I'm a journalist."
She closed her bag.
"Then research something else."
Nathan smiled.
"You know, there's an interesting story here."
"There isn't."
"Maybe."
He stepped closer.
"Unless you know something I don't."
Elena stared at him.
"Good night, Nathan."
She walked away.
But his voice followed her.
"Ask him about Daniel Mercer."
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
Nathan was already walking toward the door.
"Who told you that name?"
He didn't answer.
The door closed.
Elena stood alone.
Her phone buzzed.
Another unknown number.
She looked down.
One new message.
"Now you know someone else is looking."
Her blood ran cold.
She looked toward the closed door.
Nathan was gone.
And for the first time, Elena wondered whether he was simply a rival journalist...
or part of something much bigger.
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