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Edna pressed the phone to her chest. "Two guys from the affiliate in Seattle were injured in a bombing. Actually, the reporter was killed. The producer, John Ryan, is in critical condition. " She went back to her call. "What was the reporters name?"
Tully drew in a sharp breath. All she could think was: Johnny. She closed her eyes, but it didnt help; in the darkness she collected a dozen painful memories: sitting on the deck of his houseboat, talking about her future . . . dancing at that ridiculous nightclub in the seedy part of downtown all those years ago . . . seeing him look at Marah for the first time, with tears in his eyes. "Oh, my God," she said, getting to her feet. "I have to go. "
Edna looked up at her, mouthed, "What is it?"
She could barely form the words; they burned her mouth. "Johnny Ryan is my best friends husband. "
"Really?" Edna looked at her, then said into the phone, "Maury, put Tully on the story. She has an in. Ill call you back," and hung up. "Sit down, Tully. "
Numbly, she complied. Her legs had practically given out anyway. Those memories kept hammering her. "I need to help Katie," she muttered.
"Its a big story, Tully," Edna said.
Tully waved that off impatiently. "I dont care about that. Shes my best friend. "
"Dont care?" Edna said sharply. "Oh, you care. Everyone wants this assignment, but you have an in. Do you know what that means?"
Tully frowned, trying to switch gears from her worry. It seemed vaguely wrong, to make this about her career. "I dont know. "
"Then youre not the woman I thought you were. Why cant you get an exclusive and comfort your friend?"
Tully thought about that. "When you put it that way . . . "
"What other way is there? You can get an interview that no one else will have. A thing like this will put you on the map. Could get you the news nook. "
Tully couldnt help but be seduced by that. The news nook was a desk on the morning shows set from which the days biggest news stories were covered. The recognition factor for anyone assigned there was high. Daily national exposure. Several people had made the jump from news nook to host. "And I can protect Kate from everything while Im there. "
"Exactly. " Edna picked up the phone and dialed the number. "Hart can get us an exclusive, Maury. Its as good as done. Ill vouch for her. " When she hung up, Ednas look was steely. "Dont let me down. "
All the way from the restaurant and back to the office, Tully convinced herself that shed done the right thing. At her desk, she threw her coat onto the back of her chair and called Kate. The phone rang and rang. Finally the answering machine picked up:
Youve reached the Ryan household. Neither Johnny nor Kate can come to the phone right now, but if youll leave a message well get back to you as soon as we can.
At the beep, Tully said, "Hey, Katie, its me. I just heard—"
Kate picked up the phone and disabled the answering machine. "Hey," she said, sounding completely lost. "You got my message. Sorry about the machine. Those bloodsucking reporters wont leave me alone. "
"Katie, how—"
"Hes in a hospital in Germany. Im catching a military flight in two hours. Ill call you when I land. "
"Hardly. Ill meet you at the hospital. "
"In Germany?"
"Of course. Im not going to let you go through this alone. Your mom has Marah, right?"
"Right. You mean it, Tully?" Kates voice lifted on the last question, took on an edge of hope.
"Best friends forever, isnt it?"
"No matter what. " On that, Kates voice broke. "Thanks, Tully. "
Tully wanted to say, Thats what friends are for, but the words stuck in her throat. All she could think of was the exclusive shed promised Edna.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
For sixteen hours, Kate rode an emotional pendulum that swung between hope and despair. At first shed focused on details—calling her parents, packing Marahs things, filling out paperwork. The busy-work had been a lifesaver; without it, there was nothing to do but worry. On the flight, shed taken sleeping pills for the first time in her life, and though her sleep had been oozy, black, and restless, it was infinitely better than being awake.
