Free The Reincarnationist by M. J. Rose Page B

to them and ask them to stay back?”
    â€œHow ’bout I trade you. I’ll talk to them and you tell me something I can use. What happened down there?”
    â€œC’mon Charlie—” Josh pointed “—look.” The Goth girls were starting to cross the field.
    â€œOkay, but when I’m done, I’m going to find you.” He started off. “You owe me now,” he called out over his shoulder.
    Malachai had stepped away while Josh was talking to Charlie, but now he came forward again. “Bastard.” He indicated the reporter. “But I suppose it’s inevitable the press would be here.”
    â€œHe’s okay. I know him from way back. If I play it straight with him, he won’t screw us. Listen, I still—”
    Loud wailing interrupted as three police cars arrived and officers jumped out.
    â€œThe press is the least of our problems now,” Malachaisaid. “After they figure out who’s who, the police are going to want to question us. We need to work out what we’re going to say about being here. This is going to be an explosive story, and I don’t want the foundation to be part of it.”
    Yet another siren sounded as the ambulance readied to take the professor to the hospital. Josh glanced over. Something was holding them up. Now Josh saw Gabriella, fighting to get into the ambulance with the stretcher. The female medic blocked her and then, when Gabriella didn’t back off, physically pushed her away. Gabriella stumbled backward, tripped and fell to the ground. Without looking back, the medic hurried into the ambulance and slammed the door as it took off.
    â€œShe needs help,” Josh said, and ran toward her.
    Once he reached her side he knelt down next to her. “Are you hurt?” he asked.
    â€œThey wouldn’t let me go with them.” She sat on the grass, eyes peeled on the vehicle as it disappeared.
    â€œThey didn’t have room.”
    â€œBut he’s alone,” she said, sounding dazed.
    â€œHe’s going to get the best care they can give him.” It was like talking to a child.
    â€œIs he going to be all right?” She turned to Josh for the first time. As a photographer, he’d looked into thousands of anguished faces, but her pained expression ripped at him in an intensely personal way, which he couldn’t understand.
    â€œI hope so,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay, though? That was a tough fall.”
    She didn’t seem to understand his question.
    â€œYou fell.”
    She looked around, noticing where she was as if for the first time. Then, brushing off her hands, she stood up.
    â€œI’m okay,” she said to Josh.
    â€œYou sure? You seemed pretty out of it there.” He handed her the knapsack she’d left on the ground, forgotten.
    â€œI’m okay. I am. I just need to find out—”
    By now, Charlie Billings had made his way over. “Gabriella?” He reached out and touched her arm. “What happened here?”
    â€œNot yet, Charlie,” she said.
    Josh was surprised that she knew him, then he remembered that Rudolfo had said she’d been talking to the press.
    â€œNot for the record, then?”
    â€œI don’t think she’s up to it. Give her some time,” Josh said.
    â€œYou’re really racking up those favors, you know?”
    Josh offered his old colleague a nod.
    â€œCan you tell me how the professor is?” Charlie asked Gabriella, still trying to get something for his story.
    â€œHe’s in critical condition, that’s all I know.”
    Charlie scribbled something on his pad, and Josh took advantage of the moment to take Gabriella by the elbow and steer her away from the edge of the road and the reporter to her car. As Josh helped her into the backseat, Malachai, who was behind the wheel, said, “Josh, hurry up and get in. I think it would be wise to leave now and avoid