by Irene Hannon
“Allison...what about the reaction of other hosting companies?” Mark asked the liaison chairperson.
“No company is going to want its operations disrupted or its employees put in danger. This could be a problem if more details leak or something else happens. What’s the reaction at the Chronicle?” She directed her question to David.
“Caroline James, the managing editor, isn’t easily intimidated. And she believes in Jared. At the same time, she’s concerned about putting her staff at risk. She’s agreed to wait until we have the security evaluation from the police before taking any action.”
“Not every organization would be that cooperative,” Mark noted.
“I realize that,” David replied.
For the first time, Steve spoke. “I think the course of action that David has outlined is prudent.”
“But there’s still a risk,” Mark pointed out. “Even if the police evaluation comes back positive and the Chronicle continues with the internship, there’s no guarantee that something else won’t happen. This gang seems to be persistent. And based on the attack on Jared, the members aren’t averse to violence.”
“I can’t argue with that,” David responded. “There is some risk. And there are no water-tight guarantees. But if we allow ourselves to be intimidated, we’ll be closing Uplink to all the Jareds of the world. And compromising the integrity of the program.”
“It’s a tough situation. I think we’re going to have to take a vote.” Mark looked around the table. “All in favor of David’s recommendation, raise your hand.” Four hands went up—a couple with less-than-encouraging confidence. “All in favor of pulling Jared out of the program now, raise your hand.” Three hands rose. “Let the record show that the vote was four to three in favor of continuing with the program given a limited-risk assessment by the police. You win, David. Just keep us apprised of the situation. We can call an emergency board meeting if necessary, should things change. Rachel, you’re up.”
As he took his seat, David expelled a relieved breath. But as for winning...he wasn’t sure about that. Although the board had sided with him, the margin had been slim. It was pretty clear that he was on thin ice. If much more weight was brought to bear, he suspected his support would give way and he’d go under—perhaps taking the Uplink program with him.
He just prayed that if that happened, no one would get hurt in the process. Especially the woman who had stolen his heart.
* * *
“Caroline James called. She said it was urgent.”
That wasn’t the kind of message David had hoped to be greeted with when he arrived at his office after the board meeting. His adrenaline, which had almost returned to normal since the charged meeting had ended, shot back up as he strode toward his office.
“How long ago?” he asked Ella over his shoulder.
“About half an hour. I said I’d have you call the minute you came in.”
“Thanks.”
He shrugged out of his suit jacket, tossed it onto the conference table and loosened his tie as he punched in Caroline’s number. “What’s up?” he asked as soon as she answered.
“David? How did the board meeting go?”
“They’re with us. For now. Ella said your call was urgent.”
“Yes. I heard from Jared this morning. He wants to withdraw from the program.”
Sucking in a deep breath, David dropped into his chair and raked his fingers through his hair. If every internship was fraught with this much difficulty those few flecks of silver he’d noticed at his temples last week would spread as fast as weeds in a spring lawn. “What’s the story?”
“He said he didn’t want to cause any more trouble for anyone. And I think he was really shaken by the realization that if the gang follows through on its threat, a lot of people could be hurt.”
“Did you hear anything from the police yet?”
“So far, so good. We’ve always had a first-rate security system, which the police verified. And they seem pretty comfortable that at least in terms of a bomb threat, we should be safe—especially if we follow our access security protocol. They’re still checking out the maintenance crew, but it doesn’t sound like that will be an issue, either. I’ll have the final report this afternoon.”
“Does that mean you’re willing to see this through?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Then we need to talk with Jared.”
“He sounded pretty firm.”
“Let me give him a call. I’d like to get him into my office this afternoon, maybe with his grandmother, even his great-aunt, and talk this through. Could you join us?”
“Of course. Just let me know the time.”
“All right. I’ll be in touch.”
* * *
The grim faces of those squeezed around his small conference table that afternoon didn’t offer David much confidence that his persuasive skills would be effective. But after all the effort he’d expended getting Jared into the program, he wasn’t about to let him walk away without a fight. And based on Caroline’s determined expression, neither was she. At least he had one ally in the group.
Jared, on the other hand, looked beaten. His grandmother seemed sad. His great-aunt was a new player, and David studied her for a few seconds. She bore a faint resemblance to her sister, but she was dressed more upscale, in a tasteful linen suit. Her ebony hair was coiffed in a contemporary style, and her polished fingernails made it clear that her hands spent little time immersed in detergent—in sharp contrast to her sister’s chapped, work-worn hands. Although she carried herself with poise and confidence, fear lurked in the depths of her eyes.
This wasn’t going to be an easy sell.
“Can I offer anyone a soft drink?” David asked.
When everyone declined, he took his seat and directed his opening comments to Jared. “A lot of people have gone to a lot of effort and taken a lot of risk to help you succeed, Jared. Including those in this room. Before we write this internship off, I thought all of us should talk it through.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’ve already decided to drop out.”
“Why?”
“Like I told Ms. James, I don’t want to cause any more trouble.”
“So you’re going to let the gang win?”
“No. I’m not going to rejoin.”
“But you are going to let them deprive you of an opportunity that could change your life forever.”
“So what do you want me to do?” Jared demanded, frustration nipping at the edges of his voice. “Stay and put everyone in danger?”
“We’re still waiting for the final report from the police, but Ms. James has spoken with them. We’re pretty sure they’re going to conclude that security at the Chronicle is sufficient to reduce the risk of an actual bombing to almost zero.”
“That doesn’t mean the gang won’t try something else. Hurt someone else. They already warned Ms. James. Maybe next time it will be Nan. Or Aunt Dara. Or even you.”
“David and I are willing to take that risk.” Caroline glanced at David as she spoke, then looked back at Jared. “And I have a feeling your grandmother feels the same way.”
“I don’t care how she feels. The apartment’s not safe. It would be too easy for the gang to hurt her.”
“Then she’ll just have to come and stay with me.” At Dara’s statement, everyone turned to her in surprise. She looked back at them, tilting her chin up a notch. “Well, why not? I have two empty bedrooms. My neighborhood is secure. It’s the best solution.”
There was a suspicious sheen in Grace’s eyes as she reached over and took her sister’s hand. “You’ve already done more than enough for us. We couldn’t ask you to take this on, too.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered.” She leaned forward, her face intent, the f
ear in her eyes replaced by determination. “I want to do this, Grace. Besides, if we stick together, we can protect each other. There’s safety in numbers, remember? And there’s a nice young police officer who lives next door to me. He’ll watch out for us, too.”
“Are you sure about this, Dara?”
“More sure than I’ve been about most things in my life.”
“Jared?” Grace looked at her grandson.
“I guess...I guess that would be okay.” He turned toward David and Caroline, his face puzzled. “Since Nan and Aunt Dara are family, I can kind of understand why they’re willing to take a chance for me. But I still can’t figure out why you are.”
“This is what Uplink is all about, Jared. Taking a chance on teens who have talent and potential. And from a personal standpoint, it’s just the right thing to do. The Lord said to love one another, and I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate that love than by giving a deserving young person a helping hand.”
“We’re also repaying a debt,” Caroline added softly, her gaze flickering for a brief second to David. “A stranger once helped a man we both loved get a start in life. That man always wanted to do the same for another young person. But he never had the opportunity. So we’re doing it for him.”
Looking from one to the other, Jared shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you would be good,” Nan prompted.
A grin tugged at the corners of Jared’s mouth. “You always were a stickler for etiquette.”
“We may be poor, but that’s no excuse for bad manners.”
“Yeah. Okay. Thanks,” he said, directing his comment to David and Caroline.
“Is there anything else we should do?” Dara asked.
“Praying might not be a bad idea.” David’s somber demeanor underscored the seriousness of his suggestion.
“I’ve been doing that. But I’m going to do a whole lot more,” Grace declared, making a move to stand. “Thank you both.” She extended her hand to David and Caroline in turn. Dara and Jared did the same.
“I’ll see you at the office tomorrow,” Caroline told Jared.
“I’ll be there.”
As the three exited via the front door, Ella handed David a stack of messages. “These all came in during your meeting.”
“No rest for the weary, I guess,” he replied, flipping through them as he spoke.
Caroline retrieved her purse. “I need to be going, anyway.”
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“No need. I’m right in front.” She pointed to her car, visible out the window. As Ella answered yet another call, Caroline motioned to the messages in David’s hand. “It doesn’t look like you’ll be leaving for a while.”
“I’m hoping I can get through these quickly. I’m meeting a friend for pizza tonight.”
Caroline stared at him. It had never occurred to her that David might be dating someone. Of course, there was no reason he wouldn’t have an active social life. He was a handsome, intelligent, caring man. Any woman would be happy to spend time with him.
Realizing that she had misinterpreted his comment, David hastened to explain. “I might have mentioned Steve Dempsky to you once. The guy I went to college with, who’s a minister now and is on the Uplink board. Sometimes when his wife travels, we meet for dinner. I see him every Sunday at church, but our dinners keep our friendship strong.”
Relief coursed through her, reminding Caroline that she cared far more about this man than perhaps was prudent. “He’s the pastor of your church, too?” It was an inane comment, but she didn’t know how else to respond.
“Yes. He gives a great sermon. You’d be welcome to join us anytime. The congregation is very friendly, and you might find the experience worthwhile.”
“Maybe I will. Well...” She consulted her watch. “I need to be off. Have a nice evening. See you later, Ella.”
“You take care, honey,” the woman responded.
From his position by Ella’s desk, David was able to follow Caroline’s progress toward her car. He couldn’t help but feel encouraged by the shocked look on her face when she’d thought he had a date tonight. It had told him she cared for him at a far deeper level than she perhaps wanted to. But he was also aware that she was fighting the attraction, just as he was. They both still had issues related to Michael that they needed to resolve before they could move forward. But he was working on his. And he hoped she was working on hers. Until now, he’d been able to rein in his feelings and keep them under wraps. But it was an ongoing battle. One he figured he was going to lose sooner rather than later.
He turned to find Ella watching him, a knowing look on her face. “She is one sweet lady. But I guess I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”
And as she turned back to her computer, David realized he’d already lost the battle.
* * *
“Listen, thanks for voting in my favor today.” David reached for another slice of pizza as Steve took a swig of his soda.
“I just followed my conscience. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried.”
“Me, neither. Caroline got the police report this afternoon, though, and the Chronicle security system got an A-plus. They think there’s little chance that a real bomb could be planted.”
“That doesn’t mean the gang won’t try something else.”
It was the same concern Mark and Jared had voiced. And it was the same one that was keeping David awake at night.
“Yeah, I know.” David put down the piece of pizza, his appetite vanishing.
“You realize you might be putting yourself in danger, don’t you?”
“I can take care of myself. I’m more worried about Caroline, since she’s already had a direct threat. I’m not sure I could live with myself if...” His voice choked, and he cleared his throat.
Leaning forward, Steve scrutinized David’s face. “Do I detect more than professional interest here?”
David raked his fingers through his hair. “You and everyone else, it seems. I thought I was doing a pretty good job disguising it, but Ella’s picked up on it. I think Caroline’s mother has, too.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Although he and Steve had been close for years, he’d never talked to his friend about his connection to Caroline. When he’d first met her, he’d been so overwhelmed—and guilt-ridden—by his attraction to his brother’s fiancée that he hadn’t discussed her with anyone, afraid that he’d reveal his inappropriate feelings. But maybe now was the time to bring it up. Especially since that original infatuation had mushroomed into full-blown love.
Reaching for his glass, he took a long swallow of soda, then gave Steve a direct look. “Caroline was Michael’s fiancée.”
Steve stared at him. “Your brother, Michael?”
“Yeah.”
“But...I thought he was engaged to a reporter in the Middle East?”
“He was. Caroline worked for AP then. After Michael died, she came home to St. Louis.”
“And you two kept in touch?”
“No. I didn’t see her until I stopped in one day after I moved here to give her something of Michael’s that had been returned to me with his personal effects. I never planned to see her again after that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not sure how to...it’s just that I’ve always...ever since we met I...” He stopped and shook his head, gripping his glass with both hands. “Sorry. I’ve been struggling with this for more than two years. To use an old cliché, I’ve been carrying a torch for her since the first time I saw her.”
“You mean you’re in love with her?”
“I am now. Back then...I don’t know. I guess it was infatuation. I’ve never believed in love at first sight.”
“I never
did, either. Until I met Monica.”
“You fell in love with your wife the first time you met?”
“I don’t know if it was love, exactly. But right away I knew she was something special. Since we got married eighteen months later, I guess my instincts were right. And I learned not to discount first impressions. Besides, what’s the problem?”
“In a word...guilt.”
A light dawned on Steve’s face. “You feel disloyal to your brother.”
“Bingo.”
“He’s been gone for more than two years, David.”
“He wasn’t when I first felt this way.”
“You didn’t do anything about it then, did you?”
“No. But I was tempted.”
“Temptation is part of being human. The real test of our character and faith is whether we act on those temptations. You didn’t.”
“Are you saying it’s okay to fall in love with my brother’s fiancée?”
“Considering the situation, I don’t see a big issue from an ethical or moral standpoint.”
A couple of beats of silence ticked by. “There’s more,” David told him.
“I kind of figured there was. Want to tell me about it?”
A wry smile lifted one corner of David’s mouth. “This was supposed to be dinner, not a counseling session. You do enough of this during the day.”
“I may be a minister, but I’m also your friend. And friends are there for each other. If you want to talk, I’ll be happy to listen.”
His role in Michael’s death was something else David had kept to himself. Only Caroline knew about it. In many ways, that was even harder to talk about. But guided by Steve’s quiet questions, he told him the story about their mother’s rapid decline and the argument the night before Michael died, which had no doubt distracted his brother—and maybe even caused his death.
“So I feel doubly guilty about Caroline. Not only is there a good chance that I contributed to my brother’s death, but now I want to claim the woman he loved,” David finished.