The Evening News (79 page)

"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-Ma
son'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 h
e 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 an
d free them-using Peru's milita
ry 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
!
”

“
I hear you, Theo
,”
Margot said. While listening and making notes, she
had decided on a modus vivendi which would have three stages
.
First, she would call Chippingham to insist that CBA News indicate
clearly the Peruvian Government's innocence of involvement in the
kidnappings, precisely as Theo urged. Second, she herself, as president
of CBA, would contact the U.S. State Department, asking for immediate
pressure on Peru to do everything possible-including use of their
military and police
to rescue the three Sloane family members. Third, the
cooperation of Peru's government would be reported by CBA headquarters
for general release. At the same time, CBA News would report positively
the actual efforts made
.
Almost certainly there would be difficulties and argument, but one thing
Margot was sure of. Her relationship with Theo Elliott and loyalty to
Globanic were paramount, overriding everything else.

Les Chippingham was growing used to Margot's unpredictabilities;
therefore receiv
ing another call from her so soon after their earlier
conversation did not surprise him. The subject matter, though, made him
uneasy because this was direct corporate meddling in news content, which happened occasionally at all networks but almost never with a major story. Fortunately, in this instance it was possible to be reassuring
.”
All of us know the Peruvian Government was not involved in the
kidnapping
,”
the news president said
.”
I'm sure that in our news tonight
that will be implied and evident
.”

"I want more than implication. I want a positive statement
.”

Chippingham hesitated, knowing he should take a strong stand about news
department independence, but aware of his precarious personal dependency
on Margot
.”
I'll have to look at scripts
,”
he told her
.”
Let me call you
back in fifteen minutes
.”

"Don't make it any longer
.”

Ten minutes later, Chippingham called
.”
I think this will please you
.
It's something Harry Partridge wrote before he left for Peru and is in
our news for tonight: 'The government of Peru and Sendero Luminoso have
been fierce enemies
for many years, dedicated to each other's destruction
.
Peru's President Castanida has declared, "Sendero's existence imperils
Peru. Those criminals are a knife thrust in my side
.”
' That last state-
ment will be a library shot and sound bite by Castafieda
.”

Chippingbam's voice reflected relief as well as humor
.”
I guess Harry
read your mind, Margot. I hope it satisfies
.”

"It will do. Read it again. I want to write it down
.”

After the phone call ended, Margot summoned her secretary and dictated
a memo to Theo Elliott.