The Do-Over by Mk Schiller Page A

been wards of the state who had been taken in by the generous Melinda Hayes and her charitable home for young girls when they were only twelve. The other had been kicked out of her house by uncaring parents when she was fifteen and had found her way into Melinda Hayes’s clutches.
    Their stories were so implausible they sounded like the plot of a horror movie. Each answer managed to shock Kyle exponentially. Melinda Hayes was the ex-wife of a senator, and she had run a successful escort service for very wealthy, notable clients for several years, making her extremely rich. Those clients wanted young girls, and Melinda had run short on prostitutes who looked young enough to meet their needs. She started a charitable organization as a cover to enlist real underage girls to fill the void. Kyle felt nauseous as each girl described in gruesome detail her horrific experience. All three of the girls had been beaten, abused, and raped by Hayes’s clients. All three had kept quiet because of the physical threats they’d received. The clients themselves read like Senator Hayes’s Christmas-card list. There were several aides, government officials, and even the good senator himself.
    The interview lasted over three hours, and by the end, Kyle had experienced an array of emotions—none of them good. He was sickened at hearing the details of the crimes perpetrated on these girls. He also felt a righteous need to help Lanie seek justice for them. Part of him, though, experienced a great guilt because he was very excited at the prospect of this story. This was definitely the road to the Pulitzer. He just hadn’t bargained for the road to be so disgustingly vile and evil.
    When he was finished, Lanie pulled him into a corner. “You did well. Thanks, Kyle.”
    “Are you actually suing the senator? What you’re doing could be dangerous for you. Is that why you want me to keep your name out of it?”
    She shook her head. “No, not at all. We’re hoping not to go to court, but we’re all protected either way.”
    “How?”
    “By your article, silly. Who would harm a hair on any of these girls or me or Brad once you’ve already exposed the crime? We’re using the power of the press to safeguard them. I’ve also got a multitude of protective measures being provided to ensure their safety.”
    “When are you filing?”
    “Next week. You have to wait to print until Sunday,” she said, smoothing out his tie.
    “You want me to wait on this for a week?” he asked in disbelief.
    “You’ll need a week at least to check sources, get approvals from your editor and in-house attorneys, and gather Senator Hayes’s and the other clients’ statements.”
    She was right. All that would take at least a week.
    “Fine,” he said grudgingly. Brad followed the girls out, leaving them alone. Kyle placed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “You were right. This is the road to the Pulitzer. Thank you.”
    “Did you doubt me?” she asked, smiling smugly.
    This time Kyle shrugged because he had no idea what to say. He wanted to hug her, but it wouldn’t be an appropriate gesture at her workplace. One thing was for sure: there was no way they could have sex tonight or anytime soon. For the first time, he felt repulsed by the idea of sex in light of the graphic descriptions he’d heard today, and he imagined Lanie felt the same way. In addition, Kyle had to meet with his editor and go over the huge scoop he’d gotten.
    “What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked.
    “I have to work.”
    “It’s Saturday.”
    “I know, but I still have so much to do to get ready for this case.”
    “As your friend, I’ve gotta tell you, you’re working too hard and need a break.” She gave him a suspicious look that made Kyle laugh. “It’s not what you think. Tomorrow we’ll just hang out like friends. Be ready because I’m going to pick you up early.” She nodded, and this time Kyle did plant a discreet kiss on her forehead.
    “We can do