“Then you’re not the woman I thought you were. Why can’t 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 couldn’t help but be seduced by that. The news nook was a desk on the morning show’s set from which the day’s 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 I’m there.”

“Exactly.” Edna picked up the phone and dialed the number. “Hart can get us an exclusive, Maury. It’s as good as done. I’ll vouch for her.” When she hung up, Edna’s look was steely. “Don’t let me down.”

All the way from the restaurant and back to the office, Tully convinced herself that she’d 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:

You’ve reached the Ryan household. Neither Johnny nor Kate can come to the phone right now, but if you’ll leave a message we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

At the beep, Tully said, “Hey, Katie, it’s 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 won’t leave me alone.”

“Katie, how—”

“He’s in a hospital in Germany. I’m catching a military flight in two hours. I’ll call you when I land.”

“Hardly. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”

“In Germany?”

“Of course. I’m not going to let you go through this alone. Your mom has Marah, right?”

“Right. You mean it, Tully?” Kate’s voice lifted on the last question, took on an edge of hope.

“Best friends forever, isn’t it?”

“No matter what.” On that, Kate’s voice broke. “Thanks, Tully.”

Tully wanted to say, That’s what friends are for, but the words stuck in her throat. All she could think of was the exclusive she’d promised Edna.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE

For sixteen hours, Kate rode an emotional pendulum that swung between hope and despair. At first she’d focused on details—calling her parents, packing Marah’s things, filling out paperwork. The busy-work had been a lifesaver; without it, there was nothing to do but worry. On the flight, she’d 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.