Chapter 35

When the show ended, Annabelle went down to the cafeteria and filled two take-out cups with Starbucks coffee. The milk dispenser was already empty.

“Edgar, I hate to trouble you, but I need some milk.”

“No trouble at all, miss.”

He offered her a fresh container of milk and waited while she poured the white liquid into the coffees.

“Thank you very much,” she said, handing the carton back. “I appreciate it.”

He smiled at her as he began to empty the rest of the milk into the dispenser. That was one nice lady. Not like the others, who didn’t even give him the time of day.

At the salad bar, Annabelle was filling a plastic bowl with sliced fruit when a woman and two young boys dressed in ski jackets pushed through the cafeteria turnstile.

“Uncle Edgar!” exclaimed the slightly smaller one, running to the food-service worker and throwing his arms around the grown man’s waist.

“How’s my Willie?” asked Edgar, grinning and hugging the child. “Happy birthday, my boy.”

The older boy held back but smiled as he stood next to his mother. Annabelle estimated the brothers to be three and four years old. It was rare to see little ones inside the Broadcast Center. When children did venture in, they were treated as curiosities, mesmerizing to watch.

“Take a look over there, boys, and see what you’d like to eat,” instructed Edgar, nodding toward the salad bar. “I’ll go toast some bagels for you.”

As Edgar went to the grill, the mother and her children began to fill their tray.

“I want the pineapple,” said the older boy.

“I want the bananas,” declared Willie. “And grape jelly for my bagel.”

The mother, feeling Annabelle watching, looked up and smiled tentatively. Annabelle returned the smile. “It’s a big treat to come in to visit their uncle, isn’t it?” she asked. “I know my kids are so excited if I bring them into the office.”

The last time Annabelle had brought Thomas and Tara in, Constance had arranged for them to sit on the set with her after the broadcast while the cameras recorded them. The twins still got a big charge out of playing back the videotape of themselves on television. Annabelle wished she could have offered to do the same for Edgar’s nephews, but with the upset at KTA right now, that wasn’t a possibility.

Instead, she turned to the younger boy and said, “Happy birthday, Willie. I hope you have fun today.”

Annabelle was waiting when Constance, stunning now in full makeup, arrived back at her office.

“Oooh. Just what I needed,” said Constance, accepting the paper cup of piping hot high-test. She popped off the plastic lid and settled back in her chair. “So how’s it going, honey?” she asked, taking a careful sip.

Annabelle rolled her eyes. “I can’t tell. I think the FBI believed me when I told them I had nothing to do with Lee’s plan. I only hope Yelena did. I need this job, Constance.”

The show host nodded. “How is it going at home?”

“I’m still waiting for Mike’s new medication to kick in. It’s been over two weeks now. Of course, he’d actually have to take the medicine in order for it to work.” She sighed heavily.

“I don’t know what to say, Annabelle. It sounds lame, but I know everything will work out. Mike is such a great guy. He will pull out of this. I’m sure of it.”

“I hope you’re right, because the whole thing is really getting to me.” She felt tears welling.

“I don’t know how you handle it all, Annabelle. I admire you so.”

Annabelle managed a laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. You? Admire me? You’re the one with the stellar career and the face and personality the country loves.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s all well and good and, believe me, I know how lucky I am to be in this position. But I can concentrate on my work with no distractions. I have no one else depending on me like you do.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

Constance considered the question. “Neither, I guess. It’s just the way it is. Who knows how I’d feel if I had met my Prince Charming, a man that I loved so much I wanted to get married and raise a couple of kids. But I haven’t so far, and that’s okay with me. I like where I’m at. Which reminds me…” She opened a pharmacy bottle and swallowed a pill.

“What’s that?”

“Cipro. I decided to take it. I’m not taking any chances.”

Annabelle held back from making a judgment. Who knew how she would feel if a tube of anthrax had been thrust in her face?

They finished their coffees, talking about what an idiot John Lee was and speculating on whether, in the end, this episode would be good for his career.

“I’ve got to go meet with him now.” Annabelle moaned, rising from the sofa.

“Good luck, baby.” Constance picked up the telephone. “I’ve got a few calls to make, and then I’m cutting out of here early. I’m flying down to D.C. to see my mother.”

Annabelle stopped at the door. “Please. Don’t tell me you’re not going to Linus’s party.”

“I wish. I don’t really want to go, but I have to attend. Linus would have a fit if I didn’t. I’ll take the shuttle back Sunday afternoon in time to be there.”

“Good. Because I need the moral support,” Annabelle declared.

Constance gave a wry smile and shook her head. “I could use some support too, my friend. How much fun do you think it is to know that I will have to watch Lauren Adams batting her baby blues at Linus? I know full well that she’s salivating for my job and thinks that’s the way to get it.”

“No way, Constance, will Lauren ever get your spot.” Annabelle was adamant. “She doesn’t hold a candle to you and we both know it.”

“Never say never, Annabelle. We both know, in this business, stranger things have happened.”