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and now he looked at her with questions in his eyes. Why would she spend some of that precious time on a frivolous feature about a debutante with too much time on her hands?
    â€œDo you know anything about horses?” he asked patiently, still hunting for an answer,
    â€œNo, not much,” she said honestly. Although she could justify withholding certain information, she wasn’t going to lie. Not directly. Dammit, she wanted to tell him everything. He was her friend as well as her boss, but this could turn into front-page headlines throughout the country. She couldn’t risk that yet.
    â€œAnd you just picked her out of thin air in your sudden desire to write a fluff piece for the first time in five years?”
    â€œNot very plausible, is it?” she said.
    He just sat there and stared at her. “It’s important to you, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œIs there more to this story than what you told me?”
    â€œThere could be.”
    â€œAnd you can’t say more?”
    â€œNot right now.”
    â€œI’ve always trusted my people,” he said finally, making her feel as low as a pig’s belly. “Take tomorrow and do the story. I don’t think there will be a problem with the feature editor.”
    â€œI’ll need a photographer.”
    â€œWhat time?” he asked.
    â€œI’ll have to let you know after I talk to her.”
    â€œLet me know by four so I can send down a photo assignment. Even then it’s iffy. With the legislature in session, we have a shortage of photographers available for feature stories.”
    She nodded. “Understood. And thanks.”
    â€œNot necessary. You’re a good reporter. I like your instincts.”
    She nodded and hurried to her desk. She had to set up an interview tomorrow. Usually organizations were more than eager for good publicity, and she planned to give it to Leigh Howard.

6
    In fifteen minutes, Kira had her interview. She’d contacted the paper’s sports department. The events reporter there had the telephone number of a publicity contact person for the horse show.
    The word “feature” did wonders. The very enthusiastic contact person said she would call Ms. Howard immediately and set up an interview.
    Ten minutes later, she had a call back. Leigh Howard would be happy to grant an interview about the show.
    She could have gotten it easier herself. A phone book would have done quite nicely. But going through channels gave her a legitimacy that she needed.
    She picked up the phone. Her hand shook slightly. This could be the most important call she’d ever made. What kind of person was Leigh Howard?
    She punched in the number, and it was answered almost immediately. A soft, Southern-accented voice answered with a simple, “Hello.”
    â€œMs. Howard?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI’m Kira Douglas with the Atlanta Observer . We’re interested in doing a feature on the upcoming horse show. I thought we would have more readership if we told the story through your eyes.”
    â€œAny publicity will be welcome,” Leigh Howard replied. “We’ll have some of the country’s best riders here, and we have two great causes.”
    â€œTomorrow? I realize it’s short notice but the earlier we print a story, the more it should help you.”
    â€œTomorrow will be fine,” the woman said. Not “the woman,” not just any woman . Possibly her mother’s daughter.
    â€œWhat about nine?” Kira tried to keep the anxiety from her voice.
    â€œTen would be better.”
    â€œTen it is,” Kira agreed. “At your home?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI’ll have a photographer with me.”
    A hesitancy on the phone. “Is that necessary?”
    â€œIt’ll certainly draw attention to the article.”
    â€œOkay,” Ms. Howard said, but there was a noticeable reluctance in her voice.
    Kira hung up. She