Page 157 of Save Me

While that should relieve me, the only thing I feel is dread because I’m still filled with the deadly fear that I’ve lost Kennedy forever.

It’s as if MiSoo’s words relieved a part of my heart filled with hate, only to refill with that terror I still hold.

A minute after my MiSoo leaves my office, the urge to talk with Kennedy overwhelms me. I need to hear her voice with a desperation I’ve felt since the moment she walked out of my life.

I don’t think as I press the button to dial her number. It’s not the fact that it immediately goes to voicemail that alarms me. The sense of dread wells up in the pit of my stomach.

Something’s not right.

CHAPTER 46

Kennedy

“This is an excellent piece of investigative reporting,” James says, grinning from ear to ear as he reads over my submission.

I wish I could muster up the same level of excitement.

“This will go out at six a.m., and I bet we’ll be inundated with calls for more information by noon.” His eyes are on his computer screen.

Tomorrow, my first write-up in what I plan to be a series of five, documenting and exposing the child labor smuggling ring run by the church and Blackmon’s company, will go out to the world.

“I know more witnesses and victims will emerge after this first article.” He finally looks at me and points. “You should be prepared to become very busy.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and prepare to tell James the real reason I’m sitting in his office right now.

“Maybe you should get another reporter to handle the rest of the articles.” My voice is strained, and my throat feels as if it’s closing up.

He blinks and then pushes his bushy eyebrows up. “What? Why in the world would I do such a thing?”

I open the folder in my lap and pull out the top paper. “Because I’m turning in my resignation.”

I place the form on his desk, directly in front of me.

His eyes bulge as he reads it over. “What is this about?” He sounds almost angry. “You can’t resign in the middle of this investigation. Your article on Blackmon is going out tomorrow.”

“Which is my perfect opportunity to bow out,” I counter. “I can give Lucy all of my notes and witness information. She’s already been in contact with some of the victims and witnesses.”

“After you brought her in to assist. She’s only taken part in the past few weeks.”

He shakes his head adamantly and tries to hand me the letter again.

“I have to,” I declare, refusing to take it back.

“For what purpose?” His eyes narrow. “Is Blackmon or someone from his side threatening you?”

“Even if he were, that wouldn’t deter me. You know that.” Besides, Blackmon has been out of the public eye since he was dropped from the Global Group.

My guess is he’s laying low, probably on the advice of his legal team.

“Then explain what this is about.”

Pinching my lips together, I stare out of the office window behind him. “I didn’t obtain this position fairly.”

He juts his head backwards.

“I recently discovered that D— someone manipulated the hiring process to give me preferential treatment.”

The heaviness that’s been sitting in my heart for weeks now increases. Saying the words out loud brings the hurt back all over again.

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