Page 64 of Skipping Stones

“He tried, but he wasn’t sure she heard him. He said she whispered Derek’s name.”

“You need to call him.” MJ knew that wouldn’t be an easy call.

Mac’s shoulders drooped. “Yeah, I know.”

Together, they entered the busy newsroom. All professionals, the TCN team had temporarily put their personal feelings and fears aside and were busy reporting the news. MJ went to her desk and Mac climbed up the stairs, never happier for the design of the newsroom that would let him be able to speak from there. He felt eyes following him. “Can I get everyone’s attention,” he yelled over the din. Instant quiet. They had all been waiting for news.

“She’s alive,” he said sombrely, and the tension in the newsroom went down a few notches. He went on to tell them what he knew. And then, in a moment of humility, he added, “I know a lot of you saw me leave. I know what you thought, and yes, I went to the pub and ordered a scotch. But if there’s any good news today, it’s that I didn’t drink it. Now back to work.” Mac turned and walked into his office and closed the door. Now that the worst was over, he started to shake.

MJ gave him a few minutes and then slipped into his office. “You walked away from that drink,” she said and he nodded. “Mac, that’s a big deal. You should take a moment to recognize that was a huge win today. I’m proud of you. She would be too. Bravo”

Mac gave MJ a tired smile and then she slipped out as quickly as she’d come in. Now was not the time for self-congratulation.

* * *

Derek’s cell phone was ringing as he pulled the keys out of the door to his Silver Lake law office. He glanced at the unfamiliar UK number.

“Derek Blake speaking,” he answered formally, putting down his briefcase and starting to shrug out of his coat.

“Derek. It’s Finlay MacGregor, calling from London. People call me Mac. We’ve never spoken before an you probably think the worst of me, but don’t hang up. I have some news about Linney.”

Derek felt the blood drain out of his head and he lowered himself shakily into an armchair. He’d been planning to call her in just a couple of hours.

“What’s happened?” he said sombrely. “Is she okay?” All he could think of was the argument they’d had and how they hadn’t talked to each other since then. What if … no, he couldn’t go there.

Mac interrupted his thoughts. “Derek, I don’t know if you’ve seen the news yet, but there was an incident in Aleppo. Four journalists were killed. Linney was there but the good news is that she’s alive. I just heard from her colleague on the ground. Grant.” He figured Derek might know her cameraman by name. “But she’s hurt. They’re taking her and some others to Germany. I don’t know a lot yet, but she’s one lucky woman. I’ll call you when I know more. Can you tell her family? I have to go. I’m sorry.” And with that, Mac abruptly hung up.

Derek was still sitting in the waiting room holding his phone when Janet arrived several minutes later. A million things had been running through his head.

“Everything alright, boss?” she asked, jokingly. When he didn’t reply she tried again. “Derek?”

“Linney’s hurt. I need to call Jake.” He got up and went into his office and made one of the hardest phone calls he’d ever had to make. He promised to connect him with Mac later. Derek didn’t mind passing on information in the early stages, but he knew Jake would feel better getting it firsthand. And as busy as Mac was, he owed it to Linney’s family. Derek briefly considered booking a flight, but he didn’t know where in Germany she would be, or how long she’d be there. And he didn’t have his mother to fall back on for overnight care, although Danny and Anna would probably step in. The clock moved infuriatingly slowly as Derek waited for Mac to call him back. Janet quietly cancelled his meetings, and he checked news site after news site on his computer. Not much work got done that morning.

Five long hours later, his phone rang again. “Please give me some good news,” Derek said.

“Are you sitting down?” Mac was more composed this time and relayed what he knew. “She’s probably got a concussion in addition to some fractured ribs and a shattered hip. Recovery will be tough and she’ll need physio, but she’s going to be fine. That’s really all I know still.”

When Derek couldn’t find words to reply, Mac continued. “Listen, Linney’s told me how close you two are. I know you’re going to want to get on a plane, but it’s better if you stay put for now. I’m at the airport now and I’ll let you know how things are. Then you can decide.”

Derek heard him sigh deeply, and an announcement over the PA system interrupted them momentarily. “I sent her there, so I owe her that. You should be able to call her by tomorrow morning your time. I don’t know how long they’ll keep her but we should know more by then. And Derek? She’s going to need someone to talk to. On top of her physical injuries, she lost a good friend over there. Plane’s boarding. I have to go.”

Derek sank into his office chair as he hung up with Mac, trying to process it all. Linney had been his best friend since childhood. The argument they’d had was so stupid. He owed it to Linney to be there for her now, just like she had been there for him.

24

Linney tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids wouldn’t cooperate. Her body screamed in pain. She heard muffled voices and suddenly she was walking along the shoreline of Silver Lake. The call of the loons echoed clearly as the sun set. The pain disappeared as gentle waves covered her feet and ankles before rolling back out again. She was in her happy place and Gran was calling to her. “Linney, Linney!” The voice changed, getting louder and deeper, drawing her away from the lake.

With great difficulty, she blinked. It was bright. So bright. She managed to keep her eyes open and then instinctively reached for her glasses to bring the brightness into focus, but her hand hit a railing. Where was she?

“Linney? Linney?” She was confused. That brogue could only be Mac, but that wasn’t possible. Was it?

“Wha … what happened? Where am I?” Her voice sounded like sandpaper. The last thing she remembered was being in the hotel bar.

“You’re awake.” Mac rubbed his eyes. Linney lifted her hand and realized she was hooked up to an IV.

“Mac? What happened?” she asked again, groggily. “Where are my glasses? Why are you here?” She coughed and felt another wave of pain.

He held her hand. “Don’t worry about any of that for now. How are you feeling?