Tully surged forward. “Can I tag along?”

“Who cares? It’s a bullshit story,” Johnny said, then went back into his office and slammed the door.

The next few moments were a blur of chaotic movement. Carol, Tully, and Mutt gathered up their supplies and rushed out of the office.

Kate stood there after they left, in the now-quiet, vacant office, wondering what in the hell she was supposed to do.

Beside her, the phone rang.

She peeled out of her jacket, hung it over her chair back and sat down, then answered. “KCPO news. This is Kathleen. How may I help you?”

“Hey, honey, it’s Mom and Dad. We just wanted to call and say have a great first day at work. We’re so proud of you.”

Kate was hardly surprised. Some things in life never changed; her family was one of them. She loved them for it. “Thanks, guys.”

For the next few hours, she found it remarkably easy to fill her time. The phone rang almost constantly, and the in-box on her desk looked as if it hadn’t been touched in years. The files were an absolute mess.

She became so engrossed in her work that the next time she looked at the clock it was one o’clock and she was starving.

Certainly she was allowed a lunch break? She got up from her desk and crossed the now-clean office. At Johnny’s door, she paused, gathered her courage to knock, but before she could do it, she heard yelling from his side of the door. He was on the phone, arguing with someone.

It was better not to interrupt. She set the phone’s answering machine on automatic pickup and ran downstairs to the deli. There, she bought herself half a ham and cheese sandwich. On impulse, she bought a cup of clam chowder and a BLT as well. A pair of Cokes finished her order. Bag in hand, she ran upstairs and switched the phones back on.

Then she went to Johnny’s door again; silence came from the other side.

She knocked timidly.

“Come in.”

She opened the door.

He sat at his desk, looking tired. His long hair was a mess, as if he’d been running his fingers through it constantly, shoving it back from his face. Dozens of newspapers covered his desk, so many that even the phone was hidden. “Mularkey,” he said, sighing. “Shit. I forgot you started today.”

Kate wanted to make a joke about it, but her voice wouldn’t cooperate. She was so keenly aware of him, it was vaguely disturbing that he hadn’t even known she was here.

“Come on in. What do you have there?”

“Lunch. I thought you might be hungry.”

“You bought me lunch?”

“Was that wrong? I’m sorry, I—”

“Sit down.” He pointed at the chair opposite his desk. “I appreciate it, really. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”