The Deadline

by Kiki Swinson

  “Get out of here! You will not ruin this ratings sweep for me!” Christian barked, trying to break free of the security guards who were creating a barrier between her and the protestors.

  “Let go of me! I’m not playing. So help me, God, I will walk all of you into the goddamn jailhouse myself. I don’t care how young any of you are, you will not ruin tonight’s debate with all of your nasty and vile allegations and lies,” Christian spat.

  “We will have our voices heard, no matter what you say,” one of the protestors spoke up.

  “You don’t have the right or a permit to gather here. Now, if you don’t leave, I will have the police, the dogs, the hoses, or whatever it takes to get you people out of my station,” Christian said forcefully. “We don’t indulge all of this fake-civil-rights shit on my watch.”

  Liza and I locked eyes for a brittle few seconds. I felt my heart breaking into a million pieces when I listened to Christian’s racist comments. That bitch had some nerve, and I was about to show her just who was going to have the police take them out of the station.

  “Let’s go upstairs to the floor,” I told Liza.

  “This is going to be crazy. I hope you’re ready for all of the backlash that is going to come,” Liza said, as if she was already having second thoughts.

  “I don’t care. What no one understands is this is about right and wrong, not a silly story anymore. This is not something I can just act like I don’t know. That man slept with children, killed people, stole from people, and did all sorts of dirty deeds,” I explained as we walked.

  “I am going to be cheering you on from the sidelines and I am ready to make that call as soon as you give me the signal. This will explode into chaos here in the studio, but I am ready to stick by your side. Anything to see Christian’s entire career fall apart before my eyes,” Liza said, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.

  “And don’t worry, no matter what, I will make sure you get credit for everything you’ve helped me with today, assisting with setting up this story to be aired,” I promised.

  “Good luck,” Liza said.

  “Thanks, I’m going to need all the luck I can get,” I said.

  13

  PLAYING THE WAITING GAME

  I walked past the room where Barker was waiting and pacing. “I’m so sorry again. I had no idea anything like this was going to happen. I wanted to give you a leg up in the race. That was the reason I fought so hard for the debate to air here,” Christian appealed.

  Barker’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “So it was a favor? I am doing a favor, not the other way around, so let’s just make that clear. In fact, I think I will just leave,” he replied.

  Christian looked like she would faint when he said that. She rushed in front of him with her hands clasped together like she was praying. “Anton, I am sorry. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry. I can’t say that enough. I am sorry this ended up happening. But I need you to do this debate. My ass is on the line. All of the advertisers that paid for tonight will have my head and my job on the chopping block,” Christian pleaded.

  “Really? That’s what you’re going with? You’re worried about advertisers when there are people out there shouting that I am a pervert and child sex trafficker,” Barker shot back, hardening his stance.

  “No, I am not just worried about advertisers. I have been your friend forever and I want to see you win. I want to see you take this city and turn it around. I believe you’re the man who can do that. I believe that if you become mayor, I can be the best press secretary you’ve ever seen,” Christian said, confessing her real intentions.

  A light knock on the a jarred door interrupted their little confessional. I turned on my heels and got ready. Liza had given me the thumbs-up that said she had everything in place. She was ready for her role as well.

  “Who is it?” Christian barked.

  “Liza” she answered in her famous meek voice.

  “What is it?” Christian yelled peevishly. Liza pushed the door further back and stuck her head through the opening, just like we had rehearsed.

  “I wanted to talk to you before the segments air on television. You might want to preview Amber’s first,” Liza said tentatively. I was impressed by how good she was at being a distraction.

  “Okay, damn it. I’ve been looking for her ass all day.” Christian sucked her teeth. She followed Liza down to the main stage and watched the edit screens in the back. I could see her from where I stood and I smirked at her.

  Christian looked around. “What is she doing up there? What is going on? I haven’t approved anything she is going to air. Where is Amber?” Christian shot questions rapid-fire now. I could not only hear her, but I could also see that she was uneasy.

  “I’m sorry, Christian. We can continue our discussion later, but for now, I suggest you watch this first. I’m sure your ratings and your job are depending on this,” Liza said curtly.

  Everyone’s eyes went to the screens and were on me at the same time. I appeared on the screen with a wide, blazingly white smile.

  “Taught her well.” Christian smiled proudly. As she listened to my news piece, her smile quickly faded.

  * * *

  “Tonight I bring you a WXOT-TV breaking-news exclusive. The rumors about criminal defense attorney, and now Norfolk mayoral candidate, Anton Barker engaging in several criminal enterprises are all true. These photographs obtained by WXOT show Barker and underage girls in various compromising positions. As you know, Barker and his wife share a son. He is not only a husband, but a father. Unfortunately, it looks like Barker is also an unconscionable pedophile who has had people killed to keep his secrets. Barker wasn’t the only government official involved. There is much more evidence, and we will be bringing it all to you live throughout this broadcast.”

  I could see Christian moving her hands animatedly behind the scenes. I didn’t care. I continued with my broadcast breaking news. When I was done, I stormed off the set and met Christian, toe to toe.

  All of the color faded from Christian’s face; her mouth hung open until her chin almost hit her chest. Everyone around us stared, aghast. Christian’s eyes hooded over and her fists were clenched.

  “You fucking bitch! You hungry-for-a-story, low-down, dirty bitch!” Anton Barker appeared out of nowhere, directing his wrath at Christian. “I can’t believe you would do this to me! After everything we have been through together!” he boomed, looking like he wanted to rip Christian’s eyes out.

  “Barker, wait! I swear I didn’t know. I had no fucking idea she was going to do this. I would never do something like this to you. You have to believe me!” Christian stood her ground.

  “Prove it, Christian! I don’t trust you.” Barker gnashed his teeth in disgust.

  “I will prove it. Wait until I get my hands on that little bitch!”

  Christian stormed toward me. I stood my ground, digging my heels into the floor, just in case she got the crazy idea that she could hit me or something.

  A crowd followed, hot on Christian’s heels. They all wanted to see the scene unfold, but I knew that in no time it was going to get even worse.

  “Where is she? Where the fuck is she?” Christian screamed. All of the staff fell silent. She whirled around and found me looking dead at her.

  “You planned this all along, didn’t you? You fucking planned to embarrass me and him and you never told me shit!” Christian accused, getting within inches of my face.

  “I tried to tell you several times what my story was about, but your head was too far up Amber’s and Barker’s asses to listen,” I said boldly. “I tried to warn you several times, in fact. I wanted to meet with you for days, and all you could talk about was Amber’s news story—which, by the way, I made up because I knew you’d give it to her to steal. You’re no reporter, Christian Aniston. You’re a power-hungry bitch looking for attention,” I shot back.

  Christian sucked her teeth and grabbed my arm. She dragged me toward an empty dressing room, pushing
me inside and slamming the door like a madwoman. When she turned toward me, she took a fighting stance, kicked off her high heels, and moved in for the kill.

  Before she could say a word, Barker barreled into the room, ranting.

  “You bitch! She is the one who did this? How dare you let her do this to me! All for a fucking story and ratings!” Barker accused, charging forward toward me and Christian.

  “Security!” Christian shrieked just before Barker could get to us.

  “You were supposed to be my friend! You’ve ruined my life!” Barker screamed, still coming for us.

  Christian jumped in the middle. I pulled out the little gun that Kyle had given me when we’d first started stalking Barker to get this story. I leveled it at him.

  “Don’t fucking come any farther,” I gritted, the gun out in front of me and aimed straight for his chest. Even his security couldn’t react fast enough. None of them expected me to be packing.

  “Wait! Don’t!” Liza screamed, trying to stop me from making a mistake. “You’ll go to jail. It’s not worth it,” she yelled.

  Christian slapped Liza across the face, knocking her back, just before security personnel swarmed into the dressing room. I quickly hid my gun and raced over to Liza.

  The guards spoke to Christian, while Liza and I were quickly escorted into the hallway.

  Before Christian closed the door, she asked the guard to bring me back inside. She wanted to deal with this without all of the studio staff interfering. She was ready to rip me to shreds.

  “You little sneak. You knew exactly what you were doing! You knew better than to show me that story because you knew there was no way I would let you spew these lies about Barker. You also knew I was working on this debate for months. There’s a difference between being cutthroat and being heartless.” Christian pointed her finger in my face accusingly.

  “Don’t be a fucking hypocrite, Christian,” I said condescendingly, still holding my ground. “Wasn’t it you that said sometimes you have to go out there and make your own exclusive? Seduce a few people. Stalk some people. Whatever it takes. You didn’t specify that your so-called friends were off limits. I watched you do the same shit for a couple of years. Remember what you did to Lucy Coles? You’re scandalous. You tried to ruin her career and didn’t think twice about it. That’s why I don’t respect your ass!” I spat.

  “You are fired! You no longer work here. Pack your shit and get the hell out!” she ordered.

  “Can’t handle a dose of your own medicine, Christian?” I laughed gratingly. I called to Liza because she had the rest of my evidence.

  “I said, ‘You’re fired.’ When I come back here in five minutes, you and all of your shit better be gone,” Christian hissed, the heat of her breath burning on my lips.

  “You can’t get rid of me that easily, Christian,” I shot back, lowering my head and spitting at Christian’s feet. “I’m here to stay. Can’t you see that you’re nothing without me here?” I said, sounding more confident than I’d ever been in my life. “You are me, and I am you. You get rid of me, and you get rid of yourself,” I said, letting her know that the tables had officially turned at WXOT-TV.

  “Oh, you don’t think I can get rid of you? I call the fucking shots around here, you little wannabe. If I say you go, then you go. This is my show. You better remember who looked out for you and hired you when these folks were making you get coffee and pick up their fucking dry cleaning, you little upstart bitch,” Christian reminded me.

  “Well, here is the thing. If you fire me, you won’t have a job either. In fact, if you get rid of me, by the time I am done ruining and embarrassing you and this entire place, you won’t even be able to show your face in Norfolk ever again, much less be executive producer here at WXOT-TV,” I hissed. “You’ll be blacklisted from the industry, period.”

  “Nothing you can do or say can ruin or embarrass me. I don’t get shamed that easily, bitch. Plus, you’re a nobody. My name rings bells. Can you say the same for yours? I don’t think so. Everyone knows you as the girl who wants to be just like Christian Aniston,” Christian shot back.

  “Oh no,” I scoffed. “I beg to differ. The person who wants to be just like you is Amber, and she’s not around now, is she?” I said mockingly. “Oops, did I just say that? Yes, I did. Where was she when you needed her? Nowhere to be found!” I folded my arms and laughed maliciously. “After I show you this, I think you’ll change your fucking tune,” I said as I picked up a remote and hit a button for the screen inside the room.

  Christian’s lips thinned and her face flushed with anger. She squinted her eyes in disgust. She could see Anton Barker from the back, and for the first time seeing his huge tattoo clearly visible on the screen. Christian put both of her hands on her stomach and bent slightly more with each passing second. In the darkness on the screen, Christian could hear a tiny voice screaming and pleading and saying no. It was mainly the voice, which sounded like a small child’s, combined with what Barker was saying, that looked like it almost made Christian’s heart stop. She listened, stunned, then covered her mouth with her hand to keep herself from screaming or vomiting. I clicked off the screen, sick to my stomach too.

  “Now you see why I had to do this? Anton Barker is not only a criminal who takes bribes, and has people killed, but, most importantly and most disgustingly, he is a child rapist. I will tell the whole world that he raped children. With that video, even in the darkness, and that soundtrack, he will have no defense. I don’t care if Johnnie Cochran was resurrected; Barker will be found guilty. I will play this footage for the cops, the media, YouTube. It will be everywhere. Barker will go to prison, and if you continue to associate yourself with him, like you’ve already done, you will never be able to show your face in this town again.”

  I leaned back and casually crossed my arms. “The station will most certainly fire you, because your being associated with the big scandal—that you wanted so badly—will be a distraction. Sound familiar? Isn’t that how you got Lucy fired? Created a scandal around her name? Yeah, someone finally beat you at your own game, Christian. Your little friends won’t be able to help you maintain your lifestyle,” I rattled off proudly. I loved to see my plans finally come to fruition.

  Christian spat disgustedly on the floor.

  “I will be the new executive producer, and you? Maybe I’ll make you my personal assistant,” I said, turning the knife.

  “I will kill him! I will fucking kill him! And you!” Christian growled as she charged forward. She grabbed my shirt collar and pulled me in, with all of the power in her body.

  I screamed, trying to fight her off.

  “Christian! Please! Let her go!” Darla yelled, rushing into the dressing room. A few more staff members interceded, until finally Christian’s grip loosened.

  “You’re finished. Your career is over,” I yelled at Christian’s back.

  14

  ON TO THE NEXT

  The police stormed into Anton Barker’s home office without knocking. They didn’t care that they had interrupted his business meeting. Barker looked up, shock registering on his face as he stared at the many faces coming at him. The police officers didn’t say a word. They didn’t have to.

  “If you gentlemen would excuse me,” Barker said, his voice rising and falling awkwardly. The police opened a hole as the men in suits filed out of the room.

  When they were all finally gone, Barker was the first to break the silence.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, like this, to me?” he gritted, standing up behind his beautiful mahogany desk. “You do know who I am, right?”

  “You’re under arrest,” one officer said, stepping forward and proceeding to read Barker his rights.

  “What the hell are you talking about? I can’t be under arrest. I need to call my lawyer,” he said, exasperated.

  He looked up and took in what was happening around him.

  “Khloé . . . Mercer.” Barker said my name slowly when he noticed m
y camera crew and me filming everything. He said my name as if he wanted each syllable to drip off of his tongue like poison. The policed reacted coolly, shoving his hands behind his back, making the scene even more television worthy. I knew him well enough now to know that would evoke a reaction.

  “You just don’t know what you’ve done, Ms. Mercer,” Barker said in an eerily calm voice.

  “You had people murdered. You slept with children. You robbed the city. You ruined lives, including the lives of your wife and son. You have no morals. You are not worthy of the office of mayor,” I said through my teeth.

  “You don’t know what you’ve done. You just don’t know,” Barker continued to threaten.

  “You thought you were so untouchable, but you never once thought about the city of Norfolk. You never once thought about finally receiving retribution for your evil deeds.”

  I couldn’t hold back my tears. “All of those innocent girls will never be the same after what you did. It will take years to reunite them with their real families after suffering so many atrocities at your hands,” I said as I held my head up high and proceeded to face Barker, on camera, head-on.

  Barker grunted. “You’ll never get away with this.” He walked calmly between two police officers; they escorted him through the doorway of his office. As I followed with my live news feed, Barker’s wife jumped in front of him and flattened her right hand on his chest. His eyes went round with shock. I signaled to my cameraman to zoom in so we could get every single piece of footage.

  “You’re going to listen, and you’re going to listen good. I’ve taken years and years of your shit. But when your shit affects our son . . . well, that’s where I draw the line,” his wife gritted. “Now get on the goddamn phone and call whomever you have to call, so long as you take care of this,” she spat, slapping Barker across the face with so much force, it caused him to stumble a few steps back. He didn’t bother to say a word. I could tell that Barker knew by the look on his wife’s face that she meant business.