Killian (Hope City #8) - Kris Michaels Page 0,4
on the good side of that line. I will look into the companies but do it from the angle of wanting to know the process. If they allow the interviews, I’ll track any anomalies.”
“Don’t skip steps on this story just because it could launch you because, if you do, it could also ruin you. Keep me informed, I have to live vicariously through you young whippersnappers,” Walter added.
“I promise I’ll be good, and I’ll let you know what I find. Thanks for talking me through my dilemma.”
“I don’t think I changed your mind.”
“Were you supposed to?”
“No, my job is to make you look at what you are going to do and why you want to do it. You have the decision to make and you’ll have to live with the consequences. Sometimes the story is not worth the cost.”
“Noted.” She knew Walter was only warning her, but she bristled a little bit at the lecture. And then she deflated. She wanted the lecture, that’s why she’d called him. She needed him to ground her every now and then and they both knew it. “So, tell me, how are your dogs?”
Bekki waved at Caitlyn, who was hopping on her toes by the bicycle rack at the entrance to Eternity Park. Her dark hair was streaked with purple strands this month. She was vibrant and a free spirit. They’d been best friends since they were in diapers and she was more like a sister than a friend. “Hey, teacher-girl.” Bekki slid her headband on and pushed her hair away from her face.
“Hey. You ready?” Caitlyn pushed off into a quick jog.
“Whoa, need to run today?” Bekki asked as her longer strides overtook Caitlyn.
“Sometimes the job sucks.” Caitlyn shook her head and kept up the quick pace. “I had to take a student to the counselor’s office, and we ended up calling in social services. She had bruises all over her back. I saw it when she took off her hoodie in my class.”
Bekki concentrated on the way forward for a minute until she and Caitlyn were on the running path and not the sidewalk. “The mandatory reporter clause of your contract has to be a bitch.”
“I’d get involved even if it wasn’t part of my job.”
Caitlyn slowed her jog to their normal pace. They ran together just about every night. It kept Bekki in a size that the camera didn’t hate, and Caitlyn was just an all-around athlete who enjoyed anything outdoors. Bekki found her stride. “Yeah, you would. You have a heart the size of Texas.”
Her jogging partner snorted and pushed Bekki’s shoulder in a gentle shove. “So do you, you just don’t let anyone see it.”
Bekki gasped and flipped to jog backward beside Caitlyn. “A pox upon you for saying such a thing!”
“I swear I won’t tell anyone.” Her friend laughed, which was her goal. Caitlyn really loved her job and those kids, and she was a damn good teacher. “Hey, do you want to train for the marathon?”
Bekki almost fell on her ass but managed to catch herself and started jogging in the right direction. “Marathon? As in twenty-six point two miles? That kind of marathon? Since when have you wanted to train? I thought you were only in this to eat, like me?”
“Well, yeah. It’s going to be Hope City’s first. From what I understand, they are hoping for something on the scale of New York or Chicago.”
“Wow. I didn’t know it was supposed to be that big. I’ve heard some people talking about it but never paid it much attention. What got you to think about actually training for this thing?” Bekki’s mind started to turn the information.
“A guy came to school to brief the track coach and he told us about it while I was leaving today.”
“Oh, man, you know what? That could work for the community pieces my producer is always after me to do. Economic impact. Impact on the police department, fire and rescue. Businesses along the route. Traffic. I could string this for a series. Who do you think I should contact to get the scoop about this marathon?” Bekki asked.
“Jamie French, the varsity track coach, was the one who told me.”
“The varsity track coach, you mean that yummy guy with the long blond hair?” Bekki teased her friend. Caitlyn was such a catch, but as yet no one had cast a permanent hook in her direction.
“Stop,” Caitlyn warned her with a smile.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“You thought it.”
“Thought what?” Her attempt at