Contra Mundum: Ep. 19

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly as Simone spoke. His instincts told him that this was going to be a very interesting proposition and Jack could never resist a challenge.

'Ms de Ville?'

Her voice was smooth and slightly deeper than he expected in a woman. 'Simone, please.... Jack.'

Jack smiled unconsciously as he spoke. 'You have a proposition for me? What kind of proposition?'

'May I get a drink first? It's getting so warm outside.' She brushed her fingers over her throat and sighed. Jack noticed the well-manicured nails and the heavy gold bracelet that slid along her arm. He noted the dress and the shoes and knew that she was not without funds.

'Waiter, would you get the lady a...?'

'I'll have a.... just a glass of champagne.'

The waiter nodded and disappeared while Jack sat back in his chair and waited. Simone de Ville was someone to take a lot of care with.

'You were about to tell me about your proposition.... Simone. Is it something to do with the newspaper. I presume as you know my identity, you also know about my newspaper. Do you want something published perhaps?'

She smiled at him with eyes that were used to getting their own way. 'Jack, I have noticed that your paper is giving considerably coverage to the hospital.... difficulties and although it's obviously important to this.... town, I know you are a man who has aspirations of greater things and greater places than Salem. In that light I wish to give you the inside straight on a story that will get the attention of the whole country. I can see that I have your attention.'

Jack frowned. 'As yet I have made no comment either way, Ms de Ville. And I will continue to make no comment until I hear the whole proposition. The possibility of a national story is hardly a proposition.'

She leaned over the table a little and placed her hand very close to his. 'I am happy to see that the reports on you are correct Jack. You are not a man to fool with lightly. And please call me Simone.'

'I am not a fool.... Ms de Ville. So please do not fool with me lightly or otherwise. Now what is this proposition and what has it to do with the stand The Spectator is taking on the hospital case?'

She seemed to ignore him as she slowly sipped the champagne as Jack's impatience began to show. 'Ms de Ville, my time is valuable.'

She smiled at him brushing the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip. 'My proposition is this. I will give you all the contacts and documents on this story if you will guarantee that it gets the front page and that you follow it up with considerable coverage over the next month.'

'And? I know that you must want something more definitive than a promise to publish this supposed story of which you have told me nothing. Tell me Ms de Ville, is this directly related to the hospital or is it directed more to furthering your own cause?"

"I have information about the rezoning of the hospital land and I want to write this story with you and get a byline.'

Jack was curious. 'You want to bring me information about land rezoning which was not and never will be the top of the pops with readers and you want co-write the story with me. Two questions, Ms de Ville. Why me and what's in it for you? I may appear to be a small town newspaperman but I can assure you that I have more experience with movers and shakers than you could ever imagine and so far Ms de Ville have used all the standard moves.'

'It's your political prowess that we need in this story Jack. You're savvy with the people in Washington and this story needs that kind of pull.'

'Why does a story about the rezoning of land at University Hospital in Salem require political savvy? Last time I looked, DC wasn't exactly beating a path to Salem.'

'Because the information that I leads me to believe that there are much greater forces involved than Salem.' Jack nodded more to himself than to her. He could understand that reasoning and appreciate why she came to him. 'I.... I'm interested. Aaaah I think it would be better to discuss this in my office. Have you finished your champagne Ms de Ville. I'd like to go there now and talk about this further.'

'Certainly Jack. But one moment, I need to go to the bathroom and freshen up a little.' Jack stood up as she left the table then sat back down and got out his credit card to pay the bill. He thought to himself. Yes she's interesting and as a good newspaperman I'm not about pass up the possibility of a great national story. I'm sure she has a further agenda but I'm astute enough to get to the bottom of that in no time. I'll let you play me along for now.... imone.

Simone walked quickly to the bathroom and as soon as she saw that it was empty she pulled out her cell phone. It was answered quickly. 'Yes, he's interested. I'm sure that I can keep him busy for weeks on this. You're right he's quite vulnerable to flattery. This story is close enough to his investigations to keep him distracted.'

Fifteen minutes later they walked into The Spectator. The noise of reporters and phones seemed to quieten down as they walked through and it didn't go unnoticed by Jack. He put down his briefcase in his private office and then poked his head back outside.

'GET BACK TO WORK!'

Immediately the noise of a busy newspaper filled the void and Jack closed his office door. 'Please, sit down.' Jack walked around the desk and took his chair, resting back and ready to listen.

'Well Jack, this is about land rezoning.....'

'Ms de Ville, I think that was covered over champagne.'

'I have evidence of inconsistency and possible corruption by certain prominent politicians. It seems that they help along the rezoning on the condition that certain construction companies get the contracts for redevelopment.'

'And what brought all this to your attention? No insult Ms de Ville but these kinds of stories are usually broken by bigger fish than you.'

She smiled. She loved his forthrightness. One thing that always attracted her was a man with a brain and this one made the best use of his.

'Ms de Ville?' He still hadn't got a reply.

"Oh I'm sorry, I was distracted there for a second. You are a very handsome man Jack."

This was not something that Jack was used to hearing and he instantly reverted to humor to cover his embarrassment. 'My wife usually refers to me as that tall guy, relatively good looking, who usually walks around with his foot in his mouth.'

'Well the last part sounds about right." Vern grinned at Jack as he walked in. "Oh I'm sorry I thought you were on the phone.'

'Vern, thank you.' Jack gave Vern a warning look. 'Ms de Ville, may I introduce my current but possible transient editor-in-chief, Vernon Scofield. Vern, this is Simone de Ville. She has approached me with a view to her perhaps doing some feature writing for us.'

Vern shook her hand. 'Ms de Ville, glad to meet you. What kind of features do you write?'

Vern noticed the way that she looked at Jack. Yes she had an agenda but she was also very aware of Jack as a man. A very attractive man.

'Well Vern.... I can call you Vern, can't I? I hate formality. Well Vern, I am interested in politics and the comings and goings in Washington and this year in particular, there are many stories to tell. I think Jack and I will have to spend many hours working on our story.'

'Our story.... hmmm. Well Jack I better leave you two alone. It seems that three's company.'

Jack looked puzzled. 'What are you talking about Vern. Come, stay, give us your opinion. Ms de Ville.... imone is just outlining her sources.'

Vern raised is eyebrows at Jack. 'I don't think so Jack. I have a feeling that Simone would much rather deal with you alone. But first can I have a word with you Jack.... in private?'

'Sure.... excuse us.'

Jack followed Vern outside and Vern took him into his own office to talk. 'Jack, what's this story that she's onto?'

'Vern you could have stayed and heard it from her own lips.'

'Jack she's the kind that sets her sights on some.... one and never lets go. She using all her charms on you Jack. She's flirting with you.'

Jack cleared his throat. 'Vern, Vern, Vern, believe me I know when a woman is flirting and Simone de Ville is just trying to make her own career path and I'm just a resource for her. Flirting.... hmmmmph.'

'Watch it Jack. Jenny girl has been gone a long time. You're a good looking guy Jack. It's not abnormal that a woman would find you a good catch.'

'Vern I think the weather is getting to you. Have a drink Vern, you're dehydrated. Flirting, how ridiculous.' Jack left without further comment and went back to his meeting with Simone.

'So.... imone. As they say in this business, what have you got to uncover?'

Simone raised her brows and looked a little surprised. 'Jack, there are a myriad of things I could uncover

(November 17, 2001)
CHAPTER TWO: JACK'S OFFICE AT THE SPECTATOR

It had been almost a week since his encounter with Simone de Ville and Jack was still at a stumbling block in his investigations. She had certainly given him information. She'd even named names but there was no substance to it, nothing tangible for him to get his teeth into. In short Jack was frustrated. Jennifer's absence was another source of distraction and he was contemplating his plight when Vern walked into his office with a big grin. Without looking up, Jack began.

'I'm not in the mood Vern. Whatever it is that has turned you into Salem's human smiley face will no have effect on me.'

'Jack, I wouldn't bring up smiley faces if I was you. I remember a time when you....'

'Enough Vern! I'm thinking, LEAVE.'

'Whatever you say boss. I thought you'd be interested in what I found out about Alamain but if you're too busy with Simone then I'll just....'

'Vern! Cut the games and hand it over.'

'You sure you're not due for an appointment with Simone?'

'Vern, you have one last chance before I fire you.'

'Last time I looked, you were not my boss, boss. Anyway this is what I have.'

Vern went on to show Jack all the research he'd been doing into the rezoning. It seemed that there was too much of a timing coincidence about rezoning and the corporations awarded the tender for development immediately after. It was almost as if the development company knew in advance that they would be awarded the contract. The most intriguing thing about it all was that there was one name that kept appearing on many of the documents and he was a local government official whom Jack knew had once had dealings with both Lawrence and Victor.

'Very interesting Vern. Verrry interesting. Hmmmm, so you're telling me that companies owned by my nemeses have been involved in buying land and redeveloping it conjointly.' Jack was beginning to get a smug look in his eyes.

'Well I haven't yet established that these deals were conjoined. All I'm saying is that if land was rezoned, the development took place immediately and that the same name keeps appearing.

'Sit down Vern, sit down. Now--' he looked up as Simone breezed into his office. 'Ms de Ville, how nice of you to call first.'

Simone ignored Jack's barb and proceeded to take a seat as Vern shuffled the papers he was holding into a folder. Simone noticed Vern's obvious attempt to hide things from her and commented, 'Vern, you know me well enough by now to know that there is no need to hide things from me. Jack and I have become very close and I would never do anything to destroy our friendship.'

Jack and Vern exchanged subtle glances aware that an acquaintance as recent as Simone de Ville was not someone to be trusted with anything. However, it suited Jack to let her think that she was gaining ground.

'Of course Vern, don't be silly.'

'But Jack--'

'Vern that will be all. You can go now.'

Vern stood up and walked to the door, looking back at Jack and winking as he left. Unaware of their unique bond, Simone commented. 'Vern seems like a man who is hard to control Jack. Perhaps a man who doesn't know his place?'

Jack smiled inside. Lady you have a lot to learn about people he thought. 'Now what have you got for me today?'

Simone proceeded to quote names, talk about deals but still with no credible material to back up any of it. Jack listened attentively as he slowly began to realize that she was stalling for time. The big question was why. After another hour of verbal tactics she left, convinced that Jack was obsessed about her story and was spending all his time trying to gather back-up material. As soon as she'd cleared the building, Vern came back into Jack's office.

'Same old, Boss?'

'Same old, Vern. In fact very old. She's stalling for time. The big question you have to find out Vern is why?'

'Why is it my job? It's you she's stalling.'

'Wrong again Vern. It's me that she thinks she's stalling. Little Ms de Ville is beautiful, sensual even. She has a basketful of big names and a repertoire of great moves. Unfortunately she has met her match. She's failed to realize that she's dealing with the master, the king even of great moves. If there's one thing Jennifer has always told me, it's that I'm a great mover. Speaking of Jennifer, did you see her yesterday Vern? Now is that not a great looking woman? I mean have you ever seen a woman with more charisma, more....'

Vern shook his head. 'Jack you don't have to sell me on Jenny-girl. And I know you miss her. I'll talk about her as much as you like when we've finished going over this. Now look at this last deal on the other side of the lake.'

Jack began pouring over Vern's material and they were still discussing it 30 minutes later when Julie came back from a meeting. 'Jack, Vern. It's nice to see two of my favorite men hard at work. I get a tingle up my spine when I see you gentlemen bending over a desk together. What's the caper this time?'

'Julie, I'm glad you're back. I've been working on this for some time and trying to convince Vern that there's something in it. But you know how hard he is to convince....'

Vern frowned at Jack and shook his head. 'Boss I've been telling you for two days that I was onto something.'

Julie intervened. 'Now gentlemen, settle down. I'm the boss. What have you got Jack?'

Jack explained to Julie the coincidence in zoning and development of land around Salem and the relationship of the companies involved. Neither Victor nor Lawrence were listed as directors but they had no information on the ultimate holding companies of these smaller enterprises. Jack was convinced that there was a link and was determined to prove it. Julie remained silent while he and Vern plied her with what they had so far.

'So tomorrow I'm starting work on this full time,' said Jack. 'No expense spared. I know we're onto something big here.'

Julie folded her arms and sat back. 'Not so fast Jack. Not so fast. I'm not convinced this is anymore than your average local government corruption. It happens all the time. We're not in a position to have you going off spending large amounts of time which equates to larger amounts of money on the off chance of a link to Lawrence and Victor. I want to get them as much as you darling, but I don't think this is the way.'

'But Julie, you know me. I wouldn't go off half-coc.... go off half convinced. This could be it. We can't let this go.

'What about this story with Simone? You told me two weeks ago that this was the big break.'

'Well from what she told me then I thought it was but she has proved to be whistling in the wind. I have put Vern in charge of determining her ultimate agenda because I'm sure it has nothing to do with a big story. Julie, trust me.'

'Jack, you're doing it again. Your persistence is irresistible and you know that. All right, you get one week and not a second longer. I want you back in this office with everything you have by Wednesday next week. And Jack, no funny business. I don't want my best reporter arrested for breaking and entering. You are going to do this on the up and up.'

Jack grinned as he put his arm around her shoulder. 'Moi, do anything dishonest? Julie, Julie, Julie, I'm shocked.'

'Jack, Jack, Jack, nothing dishonest.'

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