Page 79 of Ripple Effect

53

Calhoun

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day

“Yeah,” I answer the phone with a snap. With Rebecca’s name having come up on the screen, I don’t engage the filter to hide the noise of the transport carrying us to Berlin, then to catch a flight to North Africa.

“Boss.” Rebecca’s so quiet, I can barely hear her.

“Becks, you’re going to have to speak up. I can barely hear you over the engines.”

There’s a slight pause before, “I said, Libby left you a message. I was told not to read it to you until you made it to your destination, but I couldn’t wait. And you slipped out the back before I could hand it to you.”

My heart, wondering what the hell I’m going to do to make this up to my wife, lightens a little. Maybe she’s not quite as hurt as I thought at me shooting down her idea of coming along with me. “What did she say?”

There’s dead air on the other side. So much that I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure I’m still connected. I bark out, “Becks?”

“I…I can’t read it, Cal.” I realize Becks hasn’t hung up. She’s gasping for air.

I lurch forward, as much as the five-point harness holding me strapped in will let me. “What happened to Libby? Becks?” Sam and Iris’s heads snap in my direction. They’re both frowning. I shake my head and shrug to indicate I have no clue yet.

“She’s not hurt.” I let out a rush of air—too soon, it appears, when Becks tacks on, “Physically. Oh, Cal. I was going to stop her outside, but I missed her in the elevator.”

A ball of dread forms in the pit of my stomach. “What does the message say?”

“I…”

“Fucking read me the message!” I roar. Other than the plane, not a sound is being made.

Rebecca begins to cry. “It says, ‘I wonder now if it’s irises or sunflowers that really make you smile. Does it matter when you kiss both of them? Don’t race home; I won’t be here when you get back. I guess our ‘always’ is over.’”

My mind whirls. What the hell is Libby… No. Immediately, my eyes drift across to where Sam and Iris are clutching each other, likely flashing back to the last time we received an emergency call about Libby. Worry is etched on their faces. My mind is spinning. If Rebecca didn’t manage to stop Libby from coming up the elevator, then Libby…

“No! Fuck no! She misunderstood what she saw!” I’m screaming at Rebecca. There’s not a single member of my team not listening in.

“Whatever she saw, Cal, I’m sure she did. We all know you love Libby. She’s your everything.” Rebecca is openly sobbing.

“She misunderstood.” I feel the dampness on my own face and swipe at it angrily. “I’ll call her as soon as I can. That will give her plenty of time to calm down.”

“I figured you’d do that. So, I tried to contact her.”

Bless Rebecca. I sag back in my seat. “And?”

“And her number is going directly to voicemail. Cal, it says, ‘If this is my lying, cheating, son-of-a-bitch husband, I only want to hear from your attorney.’ Then it disconnects.”

I don’t say another word. All I do is press End before saying three words to Iris and Sam.

“You were right.”

Then I hurl my phone to the floor with such force it should shatter into a million pieces. The only thing protecting it is the ridiculous case surrounding it. I just wish I had something like that over my heart. Because I break down, not giving a damn who sees.

Libby used to tease me that I’d never remember our wedding anniversary. After today, knowing I’ve lost it all, how could I ever forget it?

54

Elizabeth

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day