Maximum Exposure (ebook)

Argumento de Maximum Exposure (ebook)

She?s a professional photographer ? but is she ready to expose her heart?

Adorable but scatterbrained newspaper photographer Daisy Irvine becomes the key to the survival of The Hailesbank Herald when her boss drops dead right in front of her. And while big egos and petty jealousies hinder the struggle to save the paper, Daisy starts another campaign ? to win back her ex, Jack Hedderwick.

Ben Gillies, returning after a long absence, sees childhood friend Daisy in a whole new light. He?d like to win her love, but discovers that she?s a whole lot better at taking photographs than making decisions, particularly when she?s blinded by the past.

When tragedy strikes Daisy?s family, loyalty drives her home. But it?s time to grow up and Daisy must choose between independence and love.

Outside the offices of The Hailesbank Herald , a late frost edged the cobbles with a white rime that glinted and sparkled in the thin early morning light. Daisy Irvine retrieved her camera kit from the boot of her antiquated mud-splattered Suzuki and fumbled for her office key in the depths of her bulky fleece. Being the youngest ever chief photographer at the local newspaper was an achievement she was really proud of, but early-morning call-outs were a definite downside to the job.

She shoved the door open with her shoulder and the heat in the office slapped into her with a force that felt almost physical. She peeled off her jacket, swung her bags onto her desk, and registered that the editor was already in and flouting the law as usual by smoking a cigarette. She was just working out how to frame her request for a pay rise when she heard a strange moan.

She looked up and saw Angus MacMorrow fall, straight as a newly felled tree, onto the shabby threadbare carpet of his smoke-filled lair.

Damn and blast.

The pound signs in her mind popped and evaporated like soap bubbles in the pale February sun. She was sympathetic, but she wasn?t unduly alarmed. The old reprobate had collapsed before. Everyone knew his health was dodgy. Only a year ago he?d had a heart attack and spent a week in hospital recovering. Serve him right, the old bugger, for being overweight and seriously unfit.

She marched across the main office to Big Angus?s door. Despite his recent health scare, he?d refused to stop smoking, cursed the government for banning the practice in the workplace, and ranted at length to anyone who would listen about the temerity of having his human rights curtailed by small-minded, meddling politicians.

Daisy studied the slumped body. In the heat of the office, she felt as though her cheeks were on fire, yet all the colour had drained from Angus?s face. The folds of flesh that sagged from his chin in flabby jowls looked flaccid and waxy. Dammit, he didn?t look good. She stooped over him, prised his still burning cigarette from one hand, and stubbed it out in the ashtray he insisted on keeping on his desk. There were already three stubs there and it was still only six thirty. In his other hand he was clutching a sheet of paper. She wiggled it free and stuffed it in her pocket, then set about loosening his tie and collar and rolling his bulk ? with great difficulty ? round a teetering pile of back copies of the newspaper into the recovery position. His timing was bad. It had been ages since she?d had more than a cost of living increase and she was feeling the pinch.

Still thinking about the negative balance in her bank account, Daisy sighed. Her plea would probably have to wait a week or two now. Absently, she pushed up the rough tweed of Angus?s jacket and felt for his pulse. Nothing.

She shifted her fingers and tried again.

No movement, not even a tiny flutter.

She must be missing something. Focusing her attention more sharply, she tried for a third time. She redoubled her efforts. A sense of alarm stirred somewhere near her stomach, which only a few minutes ago had been craving a bacon sandwich.

Still nothing. Rocking back on her heels, she studied the inert form closely, her misty grey eyes widening. She?d seen dead bodies before in the line of duty, but this was the first time she?d been the person to find one. And the fact that the body was her boss, the much satirised, belligerent, annoying, lazy, old-school, cynical, hard-bitten, highly experienced ? bizarrely lovable ? editor of The Hailesbank Herald, made the whole thing much, much worse.

Time to call an ambulance.0