The Whole Story

By Shelly Meyer

Eden Ryan has moved from Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon, to start a new life after her boyfriend cheats on her. As a successful reporter in L.A., Eden interviews for a reporter position at The Oregonian and is immediately hired.

Before Eden can begin researching her first article, she is paired up with Jared Gates, an arrogant, self-absorbed reporter, to investigate a doctor, Charles Morgan, who is mistreating patients at the local mental hospital. The doctor is also suspected of sexually assaulting female students at the local college.

The Whole Story follows the budding romance between Eden and Jared, which is thwarted by the appearance of Eden’s ex, Andrew, whose assistance she enlists to help uncover the mystery of Doctor Morgan’s illegal experiments on his patients and his assaults on college students. It is soon discovered that the good doctor has been investigated for the murder of a patient in another state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shelly Meyer
• Release date: Nov 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005863142

Shelly Meyer

Shelly Meyer has been in love with writing since she first picked up a pen and paper. At an early age, she began writing poetry and short stories and was constantly scribbling notes and ideas at every opportunity. She still has dozens of unfinished stories in boxes that she says she will one day "get to". In high school, Shelly found a deep passion for teen romance novels, then moved on to adult romance. Later, she branched out to different genres with mysteries and thrillers.Her true passion has always been romance, so, in 2000, she began writing "Portland Authority". It was self-published in 2005. She has recently updated and edited it under the name, “The Whole Story”. In 2008, she began writing "The Letter". In December of 2011, she completed it and started looking for a way to get it published. It is now published on Amazon, and she couldn't be happier. Shelly is currently working on a mystery novel about the Illuminati.Shelly lives in an upper middle-class neighborhood of Denver, Colorado suburb with her family. She is also a member of the MWA.

Book preview

172

One

The doctor was looking at a variety of medications. Half a dozen drugs were in front of him. Each could cause a psychotic episode, or even death.

He almost lost his medical license in D.C. The wrong combination could be fatal. He couldn't afford to be accused of negligence again. He needed to be careful.

The doctor flicked the needle to get rid of the air bubbles after he measured the drugs. As he did so, he thought about the day his world had almost changed forever.

The frightened woman was bound and gagged on the bed across the room. She saw the doctor walk toward her, and her eyes widened. She couldn't get out of the straps that held her down.

Don't worry, Elizabeth. I promise I won’t hurt you. He smiled as he walked toward the woman on the bed. She writhed. The gag muffled her moans and screams. Nobody heard her cries for help.

***

It's time, she said aloud. She sucked in her breath and smiled.

Eden Ryan looked at her reflection in the glass doors of the Oregonian Building.

Her five-foot-seven-inch frame was in place. She had long brown hair and her brown eyes sparkled. She would make a good impression on her first day as a feature reporter.

After opening the tall glass doors, Eden walked into the bustling lobby and looked around in awe.

Eden had been here when she interviewed for the job. Now she was a reporter here. She worked in this spectacular thirteen-story glass building with its fine artwork, marble tables, leather chairs, sofas in the lobby, black and white tiled floors, glass elevators, a view of the Willamette River, and spacious offices and noisy newsrooms.

Eden had been in Portland for almost a week from Los Angeles when she found the job posting on LinkedIn for a feature writer at The Oregonian. She was a Los Angeles Times reporter for three years. The editor-in-chief of The Oregonian, Frank Browning, offered her the job before she left his office because of her experience.

There were a dozen people on their way to work on different floors when she stepped into the elevator. The elevator stopped on almost every floor after she pushed the button. Some people exited, while others exited.

The elevator stopped on the tenth floor. Eden moved out of the elevator and stood in the newsroom.

People were rushing from one end to the other in the large room before her.

There were TVs in the middle of the room hanging from the ceiling.

There were desks in the center of the office that held computers and telephones. Reporters typing on the computers or talking on the phones occupied many of these desks.

In front of Eden were folding tables with computers and phones where people were talking to their sources and fact-checking from the sound of the conversations she heard.

Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the Willamette to the left of the office.

Frank Browning’s office was at the far end of the room. Next to his office was a conference room with a long mahogany table and leather chairs.

Eden took a deep breath and made her way to the back of the office, doing her best not to collide with people as they moved to various areas of the office. As she made her way to her destination, she passed offices where interviews were being conducted and a breakroom with vending machines. She felt like she was on an obstacle course.

Once at Frank's door, she knocked.

A loud voice shouted from the other side of the door. Come in.

Eden opened the door and stepped inside the cramped, cluttered office.

Frank motioned for Eden to sit on the chair next to his desk. He was on the phone and he was yelling.

She looked at Frank, grateful she wasn't on the receiving end of his anger.

Frank Browning had dark skin and eyes. Stress creased his forehead with half a dozen lines, and his dark, curly hair was receding. He had a thick mustache, and his upper lip quivered when he spoke.

He wasn't very tall or muscular, but he carried himself in a way that made him seem intimidating.

He was in his early fifties.

Eden looked around the tiny office now, waiting for him to finish his phone call.

Books and newspapers filled the shelves of his bookcase to her right.

Frank's desk had articles and news stories stacked atop it, alongside a computer and a framed photo of his family.

Frank slammed the phone onto the receiver, startling Eden and forcing her to focus her attention back on Frank.

I'm sorry about that, Miss Ryan, he apologized, but she could see his tension. The vein in his forehead was throbbing.

Some people, she told him, letting out a nervous laugh to ease some of the tension in the room.

You're right, he agreed with a grin. It was the first time Eden had seen the man smile since she met him. Well, let's see if we can get you started. He stood and walked around his desk and waited for her to stand.

At that moment, a young, attractive man barged into the office. Frank, I need you to proofread this copy for tomorrow's edition.

Not now, Jared, Frank told him, annoyed by the intrusion. I'm in the middle of something. Frank motioned to Eden, and she gave him a weak smile.

Ah, you must be the new reporter. He held out his hand and gave her a toothy grin. I'm Jared Gates.

I'm Eden Ryan. It's nice to meet you. She stood and shook his hand.

It's a pleasure.

Jared looked at Frank, who was scowling at him. Is there something else? Frank asked.

"I wouldn't mind showing Miss Ryan around. I’ll show her how we do things here at The Big O." He looked back at Eden as he spoke.

All right. Frank nodded and sighed. I have a million things to do, anyway. I'll look at your story this afternoon. Send it to my inbox.

Thanks, Jared grinned again, took Eden's elbow, and led her toward the door.

Oh, and Jared… Frank began as the young reporter opened the door. Jared turned around. You aren't getting overtime for this.

Oh man, Jared started with mock pouting. I needed the extra money, and my sister needs an operation.

You're an only child, Frank reminded him with playful ribbing.

He expects me to live on minimum wage. Jared looked at Eden; then Frank, then he shook his head. Eden could see the grin forming on Jared’s lips.

Get out, Frank demanded with a chuckle.

***

Do you want to grab some lunch? Jared asked after he had given Eden the grand tour of the building and introduced her to every important person who worked there.

Eden already knew the ins and outs of working at a newspaper, and she told Jared several times, but he continued to drag her around the building when all she wanted to do was get to work.

Shouldn't we get to work? Eden asked, for what seemed like the tenth time, eager to start her first article but even more eager to get away from Jared. He was pretentious.

Not on your first day, he laughed. You don't even have a story idea yet.

Well, I'd like to think about it.

Think about it at lunch. He tugged on her sleeve. "Come on. I'm starving and know this great restaurant a few blocks away. I promise you can get to work after lunch."

As if giving herself away, Eden's stomach grumbled. She put a hand on it and looked at Jared, a little embarrassed. "I guess I am a little hungry," she confessed.

Then let's go. He smiled at her, a sweet, sensitive smile that evaporated his self-absorbed personality.

For four straight hours, Jared talked about Jared. He explained office procedures or which office belonged to whom, but his chief topic of conversation was himself. Eden didn't care how many awards he had received for his exceptional journalism or that he was one of the highest-paid reporters in Portland.

She hoped he'd run out of things to say about himself.

So, Jared began as they walked down 9th Avenue toward Jared's great little restaurant. What brings you to Portland?

Amazing! He had shifted the conversation to someone other than himself.

I have a friend who lives in Eastmoreland, Eden explained. I'm staying with her and her husband until I get settled and find a place of my own.

Bougie, he said with mock sarcasm.

She shrugged. I suppose. Anyway, I figure Portland is as good a place as any, considering I don't know anyone else.

Where are you from?

Los Angeles. My family still lives there. That's where I grew up.

What made you decide to become a journalist?

I love writing. I've always loved writing, and it's all I've ever wanted to do. Eden felt like she was in an interview.

They stopped at a red light at the corner of SW Clay and SW Naito Pkwy. Eden looked up at Jared.

She knew she shouldn't ask, but curiosity was getting the better of her. What about you? Why did you become a journalist?

He looked at her and smiled. I'm very talented and can write an article better than anyone. I do it so well I might as well get paid for it, you know?

She rolled her eyes. I'm sorry I asked.

Why?

You're a very arrogant person, Mr. Gates. Do you know that?

The light changed, and they started across the street.

I'm not arrogant. It’s that I have confidence in myself and my writing. Don’t think that goes unnoticed. You need to be self-confident in this business and prove you're better than anyone else; otherwise, you don't make it. It's as simple as that.

"That's self-confidence, not self-absorbed, she told him matter of fact. There's a difference. I have confidence in my writing, too."

They reached the restaurant, and Jared held the door open for her.

Eden continued as they entered. I don't have to act like I'm the best. Important people know it.

Now, who's the conceited one? he teased.

Proof-Reader Restaurant had a rustic atmosphere with a