Page 71 of Claimed By The Other Brother

I nod slowly. "Agreed. Get me a list of firms."

"I can have that to you by this afternoon," Lisa says.

The meeting continues for another hour, everyone contributing ideas, strategies, contingencies. By the time we break, I have a clear action plan.

Back in my office, I stand at the window, lookingout at the city. The solution is forming in my mind. Not just any PR firm. Not just any crisis management expert.

Scarlett.

I turn to my desk and press the intercom.

"Emma, come in here."

She appears in my doorway thirty seconds later, tablet in hand.

"I need you to make some calls," I tell her.

"There's a PR firm—I don't remember the exact name, but Scarlett Bradford works there. Chicago office. Find out the parent company and get me the contact information."

Emma's fingers fly across her tablet.

"I'll have it within the hour."

"Good. Once you do, set up a call with whoever runs their New York division. I need to speak with them today."

"Understood."

She leaves, and I return to the window. Two weeks. Two unanswered texts. Radio silence. If she won't respond to me personally, maybe she'll respond professionally.

Emma gets me the information within forty-five minutes. The firm is called Whitman Communications, a mid-sized PR company with offices in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. The New York office is run by a woman named Patricia Morgan.

"Ms. Morgan is available at three PM," Emma tells me.

"Set it up."

At three o'clock, Emma transfers the call to my office. I pick up on the second ring.

"Ms. Morgan, this is Dax Blackwell."

"Mr. Blackwell." Her voice is smooth, professional.

"It's an honor. I understand you're looking for crisis management support?"

"That's correct. Blackwell Media Corp is facing some allegations that require immediate and aggressive PR strategy. I need a firm that can handle this level of complexity."

"We absolutely can," Patricia says without hesitation.

"Whitman Communications has managed crises for Fortune 500 companies. I can have our New York team assembled and ready to meet with you as early as tomorrow morning."

"There's a stipulation," I interrupt.

A pause. "What kind of stipulation?"

"I'm looking for a particular person. I was referred by Scarlett Bradford. I believe she works out of your Chicago office."

"Oh." Patricia's tone shifts slightly.

"Well, we'll definitely get someone from our New York office to handle this. We have several senior—"