Dead End by R J Patterson

Author:R J Patterson [Patterson, R J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Mystery
Goodreads: 34936615
Publisher: Green E-Books
Published: 2017-05-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Seattle, Washington

FRANK BUCKMAN HIT THE REFRESH BUTTON on his inbox and stared at his computer screen. It flickered once and didn’t change. Cal was rarely late on filing his stories. And when he was, Buckman always feared the worst.

What kind of trouble are you into now, Cal?

Cal was supposed to file a story about the Ukrainian national team, focusing on the difference between playing for their country and their club teams. Dimitry Kitko and Fedir Mortuk, two of the Ukrainian national team’s bigger stars, were supposed to be prominently featured in the article. Buckman admitted it was more or less a puff piece, but there were plenty of readers who would lap it up. Behind-the-scenes stories were wildly popular with readers, who seemed to enjoy the voyeuristic peek into pro athletes’ lives off the field. Buckman hated assigning such articles as much as Cal hated writing them. Yet at the end of the day, journalism was still a business. And Buckman had no story from Cal.

Glancing at the clock, Buckman decided to place another call to Cal’s phone. It rang several times before going to voicemail.

“Cal, it’s me,” Buckman said as he left a voice message. “Where’s your story? Heck, where are you? I’m starting to get concerned as it’s eight in the evening here and I haven’t heard from you. This story was supposed to be filed when I came into the office this morning. Needless to say, I’m concerned. Please call me ASAP.”

Buckman hung up and leaned back in his chair. He stared upward and wondered what could’ve happened to his star reporter.

I hope nothing awful.

Buckman proceeded to call Cal’s wife, Kelly.

“Kelly, this is Frank,” he said once she answered. “How are you?”

“I’d be better if you hadn’t sent my husband halfway around the world,” she said with an uncharacteristic edge to her voice.

“Are you all right?”

“Frank, what are you calling about?”

“It’s Cal. He was supposed to file a story hours ago, and I haven’t been able to reach him.”

She sniffled. “I haven’t been able to reach him either.”

“Have you been crying?”

“I’m all right, Frank. Just—I just want to know that Cal’s okay. And, apparently, he’s not since you can’t reach him either. I warned him about getting involved in things he shouldn’t.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing, Kelly. He’s probably stuck in some place without wi-fi and his phone is having problems connecting to the network.”

“Both at the same time?”

“I—I don’t know. Maybe. Journalism in foreign countries isn’t quite as easy as it is here. There are more variables and potential things that can go wrong.”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m concerned. He was supposed to call me, like he does every day. But I just had a bad feeling this morning when I woke up and didn’t hear from him. And now here it is and still no word.”

“I’m just hoping it’s some simple explanation, like he had too much vodka before he sent the story and passed out.”

“Too much vodka? You know Cal hates that stuff.”

“When it Rome—”

“Frank, I doubt that’s the case, but please, if you hear from him, tell him to give me a call.

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