Arthur Hailey - Evening News

Outside, Fernandez and the bodyguard were waiting.

In the station wagon returning to Cesar's Hotel, Partridge asked Fernandez, "Can you get me a gun?”

"Of course. Do you have a preference?”

Partridge considered. The nature of his work had made him knowledgeable about guns and he had learned to use them.”I'd like a nine-millimeter Browning; also a silencer.”

"You will have it tomorrow. And about tomorrow—are there plans that I should know of?”

"Just like today, I'll be seeing more people.” Partridge added mentally: And in days beyond that, still more—until the breakthrough comes.

Friday was a (lay of action at CBA, New York. Some of the activity had been anticipated; a good deal more was unforeseen.

As usual, the network's broadcasting day began with the 6 A.M.”Sunrise Journal.” During that program a CBA News promo aired along with commercials, as it would throughout the day. The promo was a recorded message spoken on camera by Harry Partridge.

"Tonight ... on CBA National Evening News ... an exclusive report of startling new developments in the kidnapping of the Crawford Sloane family.

”And at nine p.m. Eastern time, seven central, a one-hour News Special—Wetwork in Peril: The Sloane Kidnap.'

"Be sure not to miss tonight's National Evening News and one-hour News Special,"

The choice of Partridge was appropriate since he had regularly anchored all the evening kidnap news. It was also opportune since his appearance conveyed an unspoken implication that he was in the United States, though at 6 a.m. he had already been in Peru for eighteen hours.

Les Chippingham saw the promo while having a self-serve, on-the-run breakfast in his Eighty-second Street apartment. The news president was in a hurry, knowing there would be a good deal happening during the day, and through the kitchen window he could see his CBA limo and driver already waiting outside. The limousine reminded him of Margot Lloyd-Mason's instruction at their first meeting that he should use taxis instead, an order he had ignored. He must not ignore keeping Margot informed, however, and as soon as he reached the office would call her since she was likely to have seen the promo too.

The decision was unnecessary. When he entered the car, the driver handed him a phone and Margot's voice barked instantly.

”What is all this about new developments and why haven't I been told?”

"It happened suddenly. I intended to call you as soon as I got in.”

"John Q. Public has been told. Why should I have to wait?”

"Margot, the public has not been told; they will be this evening. You, on the other hand, are going to be told as soon as I reach my desk, but not on this phone because we've no idea who's listening.”

There was a pause during which he could hear heavy breathing.”Do it immediately you get in.”

"I will.”

Some fifteen minutes later, connected again with the network president and CEO, Chippingham began, "There's quite a lot to tell.”

"Get on with it!”

"First, from your point of view the outlook is excellent. Some of our best people have achieved several exclusive breakthroughs which tonight may give CBA the largest news audience in our history, with matching ratings. Unfortunately, the news about the Sloane family is less than good for Crawf.”

"Where are they?”

"In Peru. Held by Sendero Luminoso.”

"Peru! Are you absolutely sure?”

"As I said, we've had some of our most experienced people working on this, especially Harry Partridge, and what they've discovered is convincing. I've no doubts, and am sure you won't have either.” Just the same, Margot's startled reaction at the mention of Peru surprised Chippingham, making him wonder what was behind it.

She said sharply, "I'd like to talk to Partridge.”

"I'm afraid that isn't possible. He's already in Peru, and has been since yesterday. We expect to have an update from him for Monday's news.”

"Why are you moving so quickly?”

"This is the news business, Margot. We always work that way.” The question amazed him. So did a hint of uncertainty, even nervousness, in Margot's voice. It prompted him to say, "You seem concerned about Peru. Do you mind telling me why?”

There was silence and obvious hesitation before an answer.”At the moment Globanic Industries has a substantial business arrangement there. A great deal is at stake and it's essential our alliance with the Peruvian Government remains good.”

"May I point out that CBA News doesn't have an alliance with the Peruvian Government—good or bad—or with any other government either.”

Margot said impatiently, "CBA is Globanic. Globanic has an alliance with Peru; therefore so does CBA. When will you grasp that simple fact?”

Chippingham wanted to answer, Never! But he knew he couldn't and said instead, "We're a news organization first and have to report the news the way it is. Also I'll point out, we didn't involve Peru; it's Sendero Luminoso which appears to have kidnapped our anchorman's family. In any case, as soon as our story breaks tonight, everyone else—networks, print press, you name it—will jump on the Peru story too.”

In a comer of his mind Chippingham was asking: Can this conversation really be taking place? And should I laugh or weep?

"Keep me informed,” Margot said.”If there's any change, especially about Peru, I want to know immediately, not next day.”

Chippingham heard a click as the connection was severed.

* * *

In her elegant office at Stonehenge, Margot Lloyd-Mason pondered. Uncharacteristically, she was uncertain about what to do next. Should she call Globanic Chairman Theo Elliott, or not? She recalled his cautioning words about Peru at the Fordly Cay Club meeting: "I don't want anything to damage our stilldelicate relationship . — . and thereby spoil what can evolve into the deal of the century. ” In the end, she decided that she must inform him. Better he should hear the news from her than on some newscast.

When she talked with Elliott, his reaction to her information was surprisingly calm.”Well, if that Shining Path rabble did the kidnapping, I suppose there's no way it cannot be reported. But let's not forget that the Peruvian Government is in no way involved because they and the Shining Path are deadly enemies. Be sure your news people make that clear.”

"I'll see that they do,” Margot said.

”They can go even further,” Theo Elliott continued.”What's happening presents an opportunity to make the government there look good, and CBA should use it.”

The comment puzzled her.”Use in what way?”

"Well, clearly the Peruvian Government will do everything possible to find the kidnapped Americans and free them—using Peru's military and police. So while they're doing that, let's ensure they get proper credit, with upbeat pictures on our TV news. Then I can call President Castafieda, whom I know personally, and say, 'Hey, we're making you and your government look great!'—which should help us when Globanic Financial and Peru put together the final pieces of our debt-to-equity deal.”

Even Margot hesitated.”I'm not sure about going quite that far, Theo.”

"Then be sure! I know what you're thinking—that we're manipulating the news. Well, in something as important to us as this, so be it!” The Globanic chairman's voice rose.”Jesus Christ! We own the goddamn network, don't we? So once in a while let's put that ownership to our advantage. At the same time, remind your news people that this is a competitive, profit oriented business which pays their fancy salaries and they are a part of it, like it or not. If they don't like it, they've a clear choice—get out!”