The Newsmakers Read online

  ACCLAIM FOR THE NEWSMAKERS

  “Lis Wiehl's latest thriller The Newsmakers opens a number of windows for the reader. Can an ambitious reporter keep her soul while fighting her way to the top of the TV news industry? That intense conflict will keep you turning pages.”

  —BILL O'REILLY, ANCHOR, FOX NEWS CHANNEL

  “A heart-pounding thrill-ride from someone who knows the news business inside out. Lis Wiehl’s The Newsmakers is not to be missed!”

  —KARIN SLAUGHTER, AUTHOR OF PRETTY GIRLS

  “A page-turner from the word ‘go’! Completely entertaining! Outrageously readable! This quick-cut action-thriller spotlights television’s cutthroat deal-making, unholy alliances, and lust for success. Gotta love Lis! As always, she nails it.

  —HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, AGATHA, ANTHONY, AND MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF WHAT YOU SEE

  “The Newsmakers is a stunning debut thriller in a new series by one of my favorite authors. Lis Wiehl casts her insider’s eye on the intrigue and drama of high-stakes television journalism. Terrorist attack? Murder of a presidential candidate? A reporter whose own life is at risk? This thrill ride has them all. Wiehl has crafted another bestselling winner with this powerful crime novel.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Lis Wiehl is a seasoned journalist who knows the news business. Here, she’s fashioned a tantalizing story that takes full advantage of her insider status. It’s a fascinating thriller, which poses a curious question: what happens when reality is not quite good enough? The answer is going to shock you.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “The Newsmakers is sensational—taut, troubling, and terrifying. With Erica Sparks, Lis Wiehl has created her most memorable character yet: a reporter who has smarts, drive, heart—and a dark past that threatens to pull her down. Waiting for Book 2 won’t be easy.”

  —KATE WHITE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR A DEADLY BUSINESS

  “The second Mia Quinn mystery is action-packed from the first page. Layers of lies and deception make for a twisting, turning story that will keep mystery lovers entranced. This is a thrill ride until the very end, so hang on tight and enjoy the trip!”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW, 4 STARS

  “Wiehl’s experience as a former federal prosecutor gives the narrative an authenticity in its depiction of the criminal justice system. Henry’s expertise in writing mysteries and thrillers has placed her on the short-list for the Agatha, Anthony, and Oregon Book awards. The coauthors’ . . . fast-paced detective series will keep legal thriller readers and John Grisham fans totally engrossed.”

  —LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW

  “Wiehl has woven a wonderfully multi-layered story that will have readers on the edge of their seats . . . A Deadly Business delivers everything we love in a massively good mystery.”

  —CBA RETAILERS & RESOURCES REVIEW

  ACCLAIM FOR A MATTER OF TRUST

  “This suspenseful first in a new series from Wiehl and Henry opens with a bang.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “Wiehl begins an exciting new series with prosecutor Mia at the center. The side storyline about bullying is timely and will hit close to home for many.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4 STARS

  “Dramatic, moving, intense. A Matter of Trust gives us an amazing insight into the life of a prosecutor—and mom. Mia Quinn reminds me of Lis.”

  —MAXINE PAETRO, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “A Matter of Trust is a stunning crime series debut from one of my favorite authors, Lis Wiehl. Smart, suspenseful, and full of twists that only an insider like Wiehl could pull off. I want prosecutor Mia Quinn in my corner when murder’s on the docket—she’s a compelling new character and I look forward to seeing her again soon.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

  “Only a brilliant lawyer, prosecutor, and journalist like Lis Wiehl could put together a mystery this thrilling! The incredible characters and nonstop twists will leave you mesmerized. Open [Face of Betrayal] and find a comfortable seat because you won’t want to put it down!”

  —E. D. HILL, FOX NEWS ANCHOR

  “Who killed loudmouth radio guy Jim Fate? The game is afoot! Hand of Fate is a fun thriller, taking you inside the media world and the justice system—scary places to be!”

  —BILL O’REILLY, FOX TV AND RADIO ANCHOR

  “Beautiful, successful and charismatic on the outside but underneath a twisted killer. She’s brilliant and crazy and comes racing at the reader with knives and a smile. The most chilling villain you’ll meet . . . because she could live next door to you.”

  —DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST, REGARDING HEART OF ICE

  ACCLAIM FOR SNAPSHOT

  “The writing is strong and the plot is engaging, driven by the desires (both good and evil) of the characters and the reader’s desire to know who killed a man decades before, how it was covered up, and whether an innocent man has been charged and imprisoned. The book offers a ‘snapshot’ of the civil rights movement and turbulent times.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “A pitch-perfect plot that tackles some tough issues with a lot of heart. Snapshot brings our world into pristine focus. It’s fast-paced, edgy, and loaded with plenty of menace. Lis Wiehl knows what readers crave and she delivers it. Make room on your bookshelves for this one—it’s a keeper.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Snapshot is fiction. But it takes us along the twisted path of race in America in a way that is closer to the human experience than most history books.”

  —JUAN WILLIAMS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF EYES ON THE PRIZE: AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS YEARS

  “Inspired by actual historical events and informed by Lis Wiehl’s formidable personal and professional background, Snapshot captivates and enthralls.”

  —JEANINE PIRRO, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SLY FOX

  “Riveting from the first page . . .”

  —PAM VEASEY, SCREENWRITER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  ALSO BY LIS WIEHL

  Snapshot

  THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  Face of Betrayal

  Hand of Fate

  Heart of Ice

  Eyes of Justice

  THE EAST SALEM TRILOGY (WITH PETE NELSON)

  Waking Hours

  Darkness Rising

  Fatal Tide

  THE MIA QUINN MYSTERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  A Matter of Trust

  A Deadly Business

  Lethal Beauty

  © 2016 by Lis Wiehl and Sebastian Stuart

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raisi
ng, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  ISBN 978-0-7180-3889-2 (eBook)

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Wiehl, Lis W.

  The newsmakers / Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart.

  pages ; cm

  Summary: "What if it turns out that the newsmakers are actually making the news happen? Television reporter Erica Sparks has just landed her dream job at Global News Network. Beautiful, talented, and ambitious, Erica grew up dirt poor, worked her way through Yale, and is carrying a terrible secret. She moves to Manhattan to join GNN, leaving Jenny, her adored 7-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband. Erica's producer at the network, Greg Underwood, is handsome and compelling. Scarred by her divorce, Erica is wary of romance, but there's no denying the mutual attraction. On one of her first assignments, Erica witnesses a horrific Staten Island ferry crash. Then she lands a coveted interview with presumptive presidential nominee Kay Barrish. During the interview Barrish collapses. Erica valiantly tries to save her with CPR. The footage rivets the world--GNN's ratings soar and Erica is now a household name. But she's troubled. What a strange coincidence that both events should happen on her watch. It's almost as if they were engineered. Is that possible? Erica's relentless pursuit of the truth puts her life and that of her daughter in danger. Her investigation leads her into the heart of darkness--where the future of our democracy is at stake"-- Provided by publisher.

  ISBN 978-0-7180-3767-3 (hardcover)

  1. Women journalists--Fiction. 2. Reporters and reporting--Fiction.

  3. Conspiracy theories--Fiction. I. Stuart, Sebastian, author. II. Title.

  PS3623.I382N49 2016

  813'.6--dc23

  2015029197

  16 17 18 19 20 21 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

  For Jacob and Dani. I love you to the moon and back.

  —Mom

  CONTENTS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  CHAPTER 48

  CHAPTER 49

  CHAPTER 50

  CHAPTER 51

  CHAPTER 52

  CHAPTER 53

  CHAPTER 54

  CHAPTER 55

  CHAPTER 56

  CHAPTER 57

  CHAPTER 58

  CHAPTER 59

  CHAPTER 60

  CHAPTER 61

  CHAPTER 62

  CHAPTER 63

  CHAPTER 64

  CHAPTER 65

  CHAPTER 66

  CHAPTER 67

  CHAPTER 68

  CHAPTER 69

  CHAPTER 70

  CHAPTER 71

  CHAPTER 72

  CHAPTER 73

  CHAPTER 74

  CHAPTER 75

  CHAPTER 76

  CHAPTER 77

  CHAPTER 78

  CHAPTER 79

  CHAPTER 80

  CHAPTER 81

  CHAPTER 82

  CHAPTER 83

  CHAPTER 84

  CHAPTER 85

  CHAPTER 86

  EPILOGUE

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  PROLOGUE

  IT’S A CLEAR, HARD WINTER day, and blinding sunlight pours into the conference room, glinting off metal surfaces, triggering migraines, and making the room uncomfortably hot, stifling. But in these tall midtown towers, you can’t turn down the heat. You’re trapped.

  Nylan Hastings is not happy. But he won’t let them know it—the dozen executives and producers who are sitting around the large table. He doesn’t do sweat. But they’re failing him. Failure is another thing he doesn’t do. He does success, excessive historic success.

  But Global News Network is floundering, bleeding well over a million dollars a week, searching for a voice and an identity in a hypercompetitive market where every smartphone spews out the latest headlines in what has become a never-ending, unrelenting, assaultive news cycle.

  Nylan scans the assembled faces. They’re smart, competent men and women—an eager bunch of pathetic fools, toiling away on the middle rung of life’s ladder. He pays these people well and it’s time for them to deliver.

  A week ago he called them all together and said, “I need a star. Someone I can mold and nurture and transform into the face of GNN.”

  Today he says simply, “Let’s see what you’ve found.”

  The mood is tense as they open laptops and pull up videos. An associate producer he hired away from CNN goes first—she presses a key, and her candidate’s greatest-hits reel plays on the room’s large screen. He’s a man in his late twenties, as handsome as a movie star but a cipher; he reads the news well and knows the power of his dark-eyed smile, but beyond that he has all the presence of negative space. Besides, Nylan doesn’t really want a man.

  Then another reel plays, and now Nylan watches a serious young woman who’s attractive and seems to know her stuff and is quick on her feet, but she has no real appeal; there’s something schoolmarmish, almost condescending, in her tone. People don’t want to be lectured when they watch the news.

  The pretty young woman in the third reel is so sunny Nylan wishes he had his dark glasses handy.

  Then there’s another reel and another and another, and the brittle baking sun sets the stage for the parade of mediocrity—do these people really think looks and diversity and intensity are a substitute for raw talent, for that intangible quality that makes someone leap off the screen and into the mind and heart? And maybe even the soul? Speaking of mediocrities, Nylan makes a note to thin this pack; he asked for a star and these mongrels drop half-dead ducks at his feet. He feels himself getting angry, that hard, bitter rage that festers deep inside him, dormant but ever ready to flare to monstrous life. He loves his rage. It’s his best friend and has been since he was a little boy. A little boy in a big house. But he reins it in, modulates it as he’s so diligently trained himself to do.

  “You’re disappointing me here,” he says. “All I see is adequacy. I don’t like being disappointed and I don’t like adequate. In anyone.”

  He stands up abruptly, paces back and forth. He looks at the people around the table—fear shadows their faces. How Nylan loves their fear. It’s a tonic, a balm, a power surge. They’re all expendable. Everyone is, really. E
xcept the man at the very top.

  “You’re disappointing me,” he says again, his voice growing louder. “And you’re boring me. You’re giving me beauty queens and prom kings. No soul, no guts, nothing that anyone with a B+ in communications from a third-rate safety school and the money for a nose job couldn’t have.”

  He looks around the table and sees it in their eyes, that their fear has a new companion—shame. It excites him to see them bow their heads and avoid eye contact.

  “I don’t want to see another tape unless you’re so sure of it you’re willing to put your own job on the line. Otherwise you’re wasting my time.” Naturally, there’s silence from the lambs. He waits another beat, lets them squirm.

  “I didn’t think so. This meeting is over.” As he’s walking toward the door, a male voice speaks up.

  “Actually, Nylan, I have someone I think you’ll be interested in.”

  He turns. The speaker is Greg Underwood. Greg is one of the smart ones, has some fresh ideas and a vibrancy that seems to pulse off of him in waves. Everyone else at the table tries to disguise their relief that Greg’s head is on the chopping block and not theirs.

  “I hope you’re right. For both our sakes.”

  “She’s working at a small New Hampshire station right now, but I don’t think she’ll be there for long. She’s got real talent.”

  “Let’s see her,” Nylan says.

  The tension around the table ratchets up as Greg presses a key and a young woman who looks a little north of thirty comes on-screen. As they watch her report from the news desk and then from the site of a deadly house fire and then interview the parents of a missing child at their modest home, the room goes quiet. She’s blonde, very attractive, polished but not too polished, and she gives the news urgency and import; she draws the viewer in, makes that intangible connection that transcends thought and reason. Nylan stands very still and watches, rapt. There’s something intriguing in her gaze, an intelligent, exquisite vulnerability. She’s hiding something and almost getting away with it. A pained darkness lurking behind that bright blonde beauty.

  “I’ve seen enough,” he announces.

  Greg looks at him with a firm expression—he’s no cowering fool. He stops the presentation and closes his computer. Nylan goes to the window and looks down at the line of traffic snaking slowly up Sixth Avenue—the sun bouncing off the cars momentarily dazes him and he turns away. It’s so nice to be above it all. And now, for the first time in weeks, he feels he’s starting to ascend even higher. He turns back to the table, to the eager, anxious, tragic faces.