Icejacked

The Press in the Shape of Julie Bright

We finally climbed into the Audi and headed for home. I was drained. I didn’t have a scrap of adrenaline left, but Leddicus was as high as a kite. I wondered if he had overdosed on grapes. He’d been up since four thirty in the morning, but he was chatting incessantly. Every time I tried to say something, he would talk over me. I was tired and frustrated. I needed to bring him up to date with the outcome of the meeting with my boss, but I opted not to push for a serious discussion. Neither of us was in the right frame of mind. I felt as if I had a very short fuse, and he was in no mood to concentrate. He was dazzled and delighted with all the attention, so I kept my mouth shut. I needed to keep him onside. Today had been out of control enough. Before I had a chat with Leddicus, I needed a double espresso to raise my game.

I forced myself to try to address the Julie Bright problem. I’d spotted her at the press conference. She sat at the back, asked no questions, and smiled serenely straight into Leddicus’s eyes. I had a bad feeling about this stringer. Could she be intent on stringing Leddicus and me along? I consoled myself that I hadn’t made any definite arrangements for the meeting, only my throwaway comment that we could meet after the press conference.

“Damn!” I spat as I turned into the entrance of my car park.

There she was, leaning contentedly against the wall while chewing on an apple. As soon as she spotted us, she smiled and waved. I scowled. Leddicus opened the window and stuck out his hand to wave back at her.

He leaned out and beamed from ear to ear. “Hello, Julie! Hello! How nice to see you.”

My mind was in a whirl. I just wasn’t prepared. If I were welcoming, she would take advantage of Leddicus. If I were gruff, Leddicus would resent it. He had really taken to her.

How could he be so stupid and not see through her cunning plan? How could I be so naïve? I should have realised she would stalk us. I knew I must keep her out of the flat. That was top priority, or I would never get rid of her. I stopped the car, blocking the entrance, and climbed out to chat to her.

“Nice to see you.” I shook her hand. Perhaps I could string her along.

She pumped my hand vigorously and smiled her serene smile.

“Leddicus and I need to freshen up. We’ve been out all day.”

“I’ll come up and wait.” She instantly suggested and bit another big chunk out of the apple with her straight white teeth.

“No doubt, but we need some space, thanks.” I stepped beside her and pointed down the road. “There’s a tavern down there on the right, about a block away. Can’t remember the name, but there’s only one. Meet you there in …” I checked my watch. “Twenty minutes,” I said it as firmly as I could muster, but with a smile. I hoped she would be in no doubt that it was not open for negotiation.

“I don’t need to freshen up. I’ll go with her.” Leddicus scrambled hastily out of the car.

“That’s lovely.” She took his arm.

My shoulders sagged wearily, and thoughts of a soothing coffee and a long, hot bath swiftly disappeared. Damnation. I am going to have to be two steps ahead of this minx.

“Let me park up, and I’ll be with you.” I jumped back into the car. I fumed as they started to walk off together toward the tavern.

I slammed the car into gear and skidded into the nearest space. That would upset the car park committee. All the spaces were allocated. Julia and Leddicus were only alone five minutes before I fell in step with them and joined the conversation.

We settled ourselves into a cozy corner table, and a waiter soon appeared to take our order. Julie settled for fresh orange juice. I ordered an excellent glass of red wine for Leddicus, and I had my usual lager.

As I had been unable to have a quiet word with Leddicus and I didn’t trust this woman as far as I could throw her, I decided to put my cards on the table right from the off.

“Miss Bright, there is a problem with this interview. It can go no further until we set up a beneficial deal for Leddicus, plus there are exclusivity issues.”

And what about what I want?

“Julie, please.” She touched me lightly on the shoulder.

“I don’t mind helping Julie,” Leddicus chipped in.

“That’s not the point.” My heart sank.

I had blundered badly by not thinking ahead. I should have planned for such instances. I should have talked to George and got some mentoring on how to deal with such issues. Now I was in it, I would just have to wing it and hope for the best. And then there was the exclusivity issue that Mr. Calabro had so clearly laid down.

“What is the point?” he echoed back.

Yet again, Julie jumped in. “I don’t want to spoil any deals for you and Leddicus.” There was an almost-imperceptible emphasis on the you. “In fact, I think I can probably point you in the right direction. You need a publicist. I have many press contacts in . I know just the right person to set good things in motion for you both.”

Oh, she was good, so good. Cunning as a wolf, but in an angel’s skin.

Before I could speak, she continued. Her voice was soothing and reassuring. “I would just like some more detailed background on stuff that is already out there.” She laid her hand on my forearm. It took me all my energy to not slap it away. “I’m sure your story—or, rather, the Leddicus story—will continue to develop. Please let me ask Leddicus some personal questions. You listen in. If you think it will infringe your future deals, it will be off the record. I’ll withhold that information, and in return, I will introduce you to an excellent publicist.”

There is no such thing as off the record. George’s mantra had been drummed into me over and over when we worked on the press pack.

I hesitated as I thought about the possibilities. A publicist might be useful. I opened my mouth, but before I could form the words, Julie plunged straight in. “What are your immediate plans?”

“Leddicus and I haven’t even talked these through yet.”

“No problem. Let me hear them, and we can discuss them now.” Leddicus beamed.

I held up my hand. “Miss Bright, Leddicus, before we go any further, I need to make a phone call.”

“Fine by me.” She took a sip of orange juice and smiled at Leddicus.

“Do I have your word to not speak of anything that was not at the press conference before I return?”

She stuck out her small, well-manicured hand and shook hands with me. “Deal.” She gazed up at me innocently with her sea blue eyes.

Out in the street, I called Mr. Calabro. I was a little afraid of him and expected a sharp rebuff when I explained the situation. I was more than a little surprised when he responded, “Is that so? I agree to this, but no one else. You must let me know exactly what is discussed.”

“I will be unable to monitor the conversation and e-mail you by eight o’clock tonight.”

“No problem. Let us not be so restrictive about that deadline, and it need not be every day. Now that you are in such a different routine, let us agree to three times each week.” The line went dead. I stood looking at my phone. My breathing eased with relief at the tone of the conversation.

I rejoined Leddicus and Miss Bright.

“All okay?” she asked sweetly.

“All okay.” I took a huge slug of my lager. “It’s agreed, but I must see any copy before it is published. Now where were we?”

“I wondered what your plans were.”

I felt a little easier now, so I relaxed. “I had hoped we could fly to tomorrow. Leddicus is keen to go there. Then on to London. I’m setting up appointments at some of the universities. Leddicus will be available to answer questions.”

A light went on in Leddicus’s mind. He let out a sound that I had come to recognise as surprise.

“Fly to !” He banged the table with his hand. “That is the strangest, craziest thing I have ever heard. Shall we grow feathers and become human birds?”

The tension was eased as Julie and I laughed together.

“If you agree with the plans, then you’ll see,” I said.

“Yes, yes, I agree. This I must see! How very exciting!”

“Okay,” I said to Leddicus, “do your interview. Afterward, I’ll discuss with this young lady about this London publicist friend of hers. Then we need to get to bed, and I still need to book the flights.” I shrugged in defeat I realised I was fighting a losing battle. Without upsetting Leddicus, I seemed to have no choice.

I sat back and got stuck into my lager. Julie dived straight in, and as Leddicus responded, her pencil flew across the page with neat shorthand strokes. She questioned him about his early years, growing up, his family life in Caesarea Philippi, his wife, his children, and his parents. It was all stuff I had heard before. I guessed it was already out there, either on the Web or in a magazine. I was reluctantly impressed at her attention to detail, bringing out things I would not have considered. Leddicus was in his element, thoroughly enjoying telling his story. While this went on, I had ordered and almost finished a second round. I was beginning to feel intensely drowsy, and I hadn’t said a word.

“I’m a Christian, and I know that, in your time, Christians often called themselves ‘people of the way.’ Perhaps we are saying the same thing but from a different time zone.”

“Whoa there!” I came round with a jolt. “That’s enough for tonight. It’s late, and to be honest, I’m still recovering from that Vatican journo.”

To my surprise, Julie complied, closed her notebook, and leaned back. “Mmm, she was a bit of a Rottweiler, wasn’t she?”

Leddicus looked at me quizzically, but I just shook my head. I was too tired to get into an explanation. Julie, in her normal one-step-ahead style and taking advantage of my addled brain, offered us a ride to the airport in the morning. I gladly accepted, desperate to get home. I knew I still had much to sort out.

“We can discuss details on the way,” she said brightly. “And if you let me know what area you are staying in London, I’ll sort accommodation.” Julie gave me her business card. “Text me your flight details. Then I’ll know what time to pick you up.”

Even in my weary stupor, I felt uneasy at the cozy relationship that was rapidly developing. Something nagged at the back of my mind, but I was too worn out to analyze it. We said our good-byes outside the tavern, and I was relieved that Leddicus finally seemed to be talked out.

Back home, I set Leddicus the task of rummaging us up a snack while I booked flights for and . I found a hotel near airport, and it was far more than I should be paying, but I just wanted to get it sorted. I sat back from the laptop and massaged my neck and head, which I now felt I was in over.

I texted Julie, set the alarm, and sank into a dreamless sleep.