Page 15 of Love Under the Microscope
He taps the pen on my desk. “Even if I sign this, I could break it, and whatever I write would be out there.”
True, but… “Zentello has deep pockets. Our legal team will take you and your magazine to court if the NDA isn’t followed. It’ll be a messy and expensive affair.”
His jaw juts forward. “You know what a feature like this is worth?”
Yes, but PharmaNews barely pays a living wage. I believe I hold the upper hand. “Our CEOs know many people high up in magazines more reputable than the one you write for. A word in your favor will take you as far as you want to ride it, but that works the other way too.”
His eyes widen. “Are you threatening me?”
I laugh. “Of course not. I’m just explaining what could happen if you sign the NDA and then break it. Or if you follow through with what we agree upon and would like an introduction or two.”
His hesitation tells me he’s thinking it over more carefully than I thought. I don’t know whether to be upset or impressed. I’ll go with the latter, which gives me another idea. If Nigel is the source, I’ll need help taking him down. I can’t ask Nate to get involved with this. He’s a genius but turns into a jealous harpy where I’m concerned.
Trusting Jack Parker is akin to sleeping with the enemy. His articles have been unkind to Zentello, but do I have a choice?
I can do most things on my own, and I could probably pull this off myself, but I must admit having a partner in crime in this situation would be … helpful.
I study Jack, whose gaze remains on me, and motion to the NDA. I have one more thing to offer. Something I know will sway him. It sucks, though. “If you sign that and agree to help me with something, you can interview Mr. Z.”
Jack’s eyebrows shoot up. “In person?”
I swallow hard. “That can likely be arranged.” Emphasizing likely gives me some leeway, right? Because Nate will balk over any press interviewing Mr. Z, let alone PharmaNews. “To sweeten the deal, you can have an exclusive with Mr. Z. No other reporters will get an interview for at least thirty days after you.”
Jack’s breath hitches, telling me I have his attention. “Is Mr. Z here today?”
I nod, glancing at the closed door. “You’d be surprised how often Mr. Z is in the office.”
Jack half laughs. “Should’ve known. We’ve been buying info from the wrong people when I should have just come straight to you. Assistants have the real pull and make things happen, don’t they?”
Oh, he has no idea. “The NDA gives Zentello approval over what you write. Just want to make sure you saw that part.”
“I did. What do you want from me?”
“To follow the NDA, give me a heads-up so I’m not blindsided by articles like the one today, and help me with something.”
“Something?”
I nod, not wanting to say more right now.
He shrugs. “As long as it doesn’t require a shovel.”
“I won’t ask you to bury any dead bodies if that’s what you’re worried about.” Although we might discover a few skeletons in some closets.
Jack picks up the nearby pen, signs the NDA, and pushes the contract toward me. “Done.”
It’s my turn. I sign and place my pen on the desk. “Who claims Zentello stole their formula?”
“I don’t know the source of today’s column, but if I did, I couldn’t share that name with you, even with an NDA. Ethical journalists keep their sources anonymous.”
The man pays employees to steal from their employers but will protect his source. I wonder how he justifies that. Whatever. “Understood. I won’t ask for your source, but I would like to know the name of the rival company mentioned in the column?”
His gaze travels from the NDA to me. “UnoPharm.”
Nigel’s company. That doesn’t prove he’s the source, but he’s an even stronger suspect now. “Thank you.”
Jack smirks, and I shouldn’t find that as sexy as I do. “What do you have for me?”
Right. I need to do my part if I want this enemy-ship to work. I grab a notepad and toss it at Jack. “Write down a couple of your questions for Mr. Z.”
