Prof Elliott said a journalist's first obligation was to the truth.
Facts, facts, facts.
It was Journalism 101.
How could she have forgotten that?
Kira searched herself.
Deborah was trying to snatch Austyn away from her.
Of course she wouldn't like the woman.
Had she been so biased against Deborah that she was jumping to conclusions?
Was she letting her emotions cloud her judgement?
Kira asked herself how she would feel if Austyn told her Gideon had other designs in coming to Stamford.
Would she believe him?
Probably not.Exclusive content from .
Kira fell silent, admitting defeat.
Maybe Austyn was right.
Jourdium 101
She had been too prejudiced against Deborah.
Maybe it had been an innocent call.
Maybe Deborah was just talking to a friend about how she planned to win back Austyn.
Even if she was plotting something nefarious, Kira would need more than just intuition and fragments of an overheard phone call to convince both herself and Austyn. Kira puffed out her cheeks.
She might be in the wrong, but she didn't want to admit that out loud.
Not in front of Austyn.
She had a newfound, grudging respect for the man.
He was so persuasive, able to talk her around with just a few words.
Austyn's phone rang, saving Kira the embarrassment of having to admit she was wrong.
He took one look at the screen and stepped away to answer the phone.
Kira didn't catch the caller ID.
DE A LISK But You Do Not Think
You Have A Brain But You Do Not Think
Who was calling?
Why was Austyn acting all mysterious?
It couldn't be Deborah, could it?
They'd just left her house!
How needy could she be?
Kira vented her frustration by kicking a pebble down the path.
'Come on.' Austyn had returned.
He held her hand. 'Let's go eat.'
'Again?'
They just had brunch less than an hour ago.
How could he be hungry again so soon?
But Austyn didn't give her time to ask questions.
He hustled her into the car and started the engine
Kira put on the seat belt reluctantly. 'You're the president of a big company. Don't you need to work?'
"The point of becoming the president is so that I control the schedule, and not let it control me.'
Austyn had called Kai and postponed the meeting.
He could set up a videoconference with the department heads later in the evening.
'Do you want to know who called?"
'If you're willing to tell me."
'Luca."
'Ah, Captain O'Neill!'
So it wasn't Deborah.
Kira broke into a smile.
"Are you that happy to hear his name?' Austyn asked with a trace of annoyance.
of course! I like the captain. He's a good guy.'
You Have A Brain But You Do Not Think
Austyn sneered. 'He's a hypocritical guy."
""Hey, he's your frie
friend.
Kira hadn't known Austyn to bad-mouth anyone behind their back.
This was out of character.
What did the captain do to piss him off?
'I don't let friendship cloud my judgement.
"What did he do?"
Austyn clicked his tongue. 'You have eyes but you do not see. You have a brain but you
think'
He sighed. 'I wonder if I should take you for an IQ test.'
'Hey!' Kira punched his arm. 'I asked you a normal question! Why are you insulting me?"
She knew she wasn't as smart as him.
She didn't need him to remind her!
'Do you remember seeing Luca last night?' he asked.
do not
Then he continued before she could answer, 'Probably not. You were too busy making out with Gideon in the restaurant.'
'I wasn't making out with him!' Kira protested. 'And I do remember seeing Luca! He was standing outside the restaurant when you so rudely hauled me away.' 'Okay. Do you remember seeing someone else there?"
'Like who?' Kira cast her mind back. 'Was there someone else? I only recall seeing the captain because he spoke up for me.'
Austyn just shook his head.
He refused to answer her question and ignored her pestering.
Kira gave up after five minutes and silently cursed the man for leaving her hanging.
She closed her eyes and replayed the scene in her mind.
Gideon was about to kiss her.
Austyn barged in and punched him.
Austyn dragged her away.
looked mad.
Luca stepped in to intervene.
Luca said something.
'Ooh! I know!' Kira exclaimed. 'There was a woman!'
'Finally,' Austyn said.
The woman was standing next to Luca, holding his arm.
Kira only caught a fleeting look at her face.
She was attractive.
'Is she Mrs O'Neill? You said Luca's married, right?'
Austyn shook his head and sighed again.
Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, this wife of his.
Luckily, he had enough intelligence for both of them. The Orchid Club was a hilltop retreat.