After Lance drops Lila off and taking part in a long passionate kiss in front of the town hall; Lance heads to his paper. Pulling into the drive way he sees the same town car that left The Local Diner. Realizing that he missed Benton and Frieda by mere minutes, Lance parks in the spot reserved for him; he walks inside to see his older brother waiting for him in the lobby.
“I have to say Benton,” Lance looking surprised; “this is unexpected, even from you.”
“It’s important,” Benton looking at the security guard; “and sensitive. Do you have some place we could talk privately?”
“Follow me to my office,” Lance signing in his brother and leading him inside.
Walking through the bull pen; the various reporters and staff notice Lance and his brother Benton in tow. Surprised to see the older Knight here, most stop what they are doing and stare as the two Knights enter the main office. Lance sitting down at his desk and Benton taking a seat in front of him he begins to speak.
“You mentioned that you have seen Eric’s were-panther fursona Sunday evening,” Benton speaking; “Is he a pure white were-panther?”
“Yes,” Lance answering; “what I told you Sunday is true, why are you asking?”
Benton fills Lance in on the conversation he overheard between Frieda, Eric and Spencer. While he did his best to ignore their talk of shared dreams, he did pay attention to Spencer mentioning that she and Eric would be considered unique and the rest of the were-panthers clamoring at them.
“Well that is an eventuality,” Lance comments; “remember Frieda’s induction? Remember how most of the male were-panthers were jumping over each other to meet her?”
“I remember,” Benton recalling the day when his daughter reveals her fursona for the first time; “grey fur with russet red highlights throughout.”
“And everyone else was the typical black, grey or brown fur covering,” Lance responding.
“I see now,” Benton cluing in to what will happen; “what you are saying is Spencer and Eric’s uniqueness will become quite desirable-“
“And I wouldn’t be surprised if a few fights break out over trying to be the first to proposition them;” Lance finishing the train of thought. “But that’s not the real reason why you are here is it?”
“Frieda’s trust is safe and secure correct?” Benton asking
“Only I know where it is safely hidden,” Lance speaking; thinking of the wall safe hidden behind the picture behind his desk.
“Fine,” Benton satisfied with the answer; “you mentioned Far Houjin and Kai Hǔ Wáng disappearance from the Wáng Technological Consortium. Have the major newspapers here in America pick up on that story yet?”
“No,” Lance answers; “but it’s only a matter of time.”
“Then beat them to it Lance,” Benton looking serious; “run the article. The one from the Chinese papers if necessary.”
“Won’t that,” Lance looking concerned; “make Knight Industries stock further drop like a stone?”
“Don’t concern yourself with that,” Benton smiling; “the more people wanting to sell their stock, the more I’ll be buying back.”
“You going to try and take the company private;” Lance looking shocked.
“No,” Benton responding; “just rocking the boat and cutting loose those who don’t want to weather the storm.” Benton getting up and smiling; “quote me in the article that ‘I am concerned that Far and Kai chose to disappear when important business matters that they need to deal with in person have come up.’” Benton getting to leave, “emphasis on the ‘in person’ portion.”
“Okay brother,” Lance looking bemused at what Benton just asked of him to do; “anything else or can it wait until later this evening?”
“One other thing,” Benton responding; “without confirming or telling me, if you have anyone in the town’s police station that passes on information regarding the latest criminal exploits. Have them keep an eye out for anything regarding Julie Stovall and her trying to create/spread vicious rumors about Frieda and her friends.”
“I’ll look into that,” Lance perking up some; “but unless there is any hard evidence regarding these rumors, I cannot print them without risking a libel lawsuit.”
Benton just silently nods his head and leaves his brothers office. Lance silent for a moment quietly waits for Benton to leave the floor before stepping out of his office.
“Stop the Presses,” Lance shouts getting everyone’s attention; “A very important bit of business information just came to light and we need to get it ready for tomorrow’s edition. My brother has been so kind to provide a quote regarding the story in question.” Lance staring at his business reporter; “ready the Wáng Technological Consortium article you discovered yesterday. See me later in regards to my brother’s quote. It involves said article.”
The business reporter look surprised as Lance heads back into his office; seeing everyone staring at him, he just shrugs his shoulders and sits back in his chair to begin what his boss just told him to do.
Lance sitting down in his chair mulls over what Benton just said in regards to Julie Stovall. The reporter in him knows there is a story with what Benton just shared with him. Picking up his phone he makes a call to the deputy that might help him in regards to this story; agreeing to the usual terms and fee, Lance hangs up and starts working on his other duties running his media empire.