“The visa, you mean?”
Emily nodded. “Who knows what will happen
with that now.”
“Nothing any different is going to happen,”
Derian said. “I’ll look into it and see that it’s taken care of.”
“Thank you,” Emily said, wishing the solution
were that easy. But knowing Derian at least wanted to try to sort things out
gave her a glimmer of hope. Not time to panic—not yet.
“You’re important, Emily,” Derian said
quietly, her voice filled with conviction, “to the business, and to me.”
“I don’t know why,” Emily said, “but I
appreciate your help.”
Derian waved a hand impatiently. “As far as
the business goes, I’m only doing what makes sense. And personally, well, it
makes me feel good to help you out if I can.”
“I wish I could return the favor.”
“Oh, you can. I just took a look at
Henrietta’s calendar. It’s terrifying.”
Emily laughed, the tension draining from her
chest. Derian had a way of making the most troubling situations seem
surmountable. Derian hid her strength and resolve beneath a layer of
nonchalance, but it only took being around her for a few moments, watching her,
listening to her, to realize she was a woman who did what needed to be done.
“I’m sure Vonnie can help you sort your way through things.”
Derian nodded. “I think she’s already taken
care of a great many things, but there are meetings she said I’d need to take
and a big conference in a few days—the BEA?”
“Of course,” Emily said. “It’s the biggest
industry book event of the year. We have appointments already scheduled with
authors and publishers on the foreign rights schedule, and a booth that Ron and
several of the others will staff. Henrietta and I usually cover the rights
appointments.”
“So you’ll have to hold my hand through
that.” Derian grinned. “Figuratively speaking, of course.”
“I could probably handle the appointments
with Bill or one of the others.”
Derian shook her head. “I need to actually be
involved in the running of the agency. It’s the only way I’m going to keep
Martin and Donatella from moving back into Henrietta’s office. They know I
don’t know a damn thing about the nuts and bolts, and they’re going to be
looking for any excuse to force the board to push through a reorganization
while Henrietta is absent. We can’t let that happen.”
“No,” Emily said, “we can’t.”
A part of her felt selfish, knowing she would
probably be one of the first staff members to be ousted if there was a
reorganization, but more was at stake than just her position or even the
security her job afforded Pam. The agency itself was at risk, and she would do
anything to protect it. She believed in what they did, and believed that
Winfield’s century-long contributions to the arts should not be only preserved,
but continued. “I’ll be more than happy to assist you.”