I couldn’t make my car go any faster without breaking traffic regulations. I was already at the maximum speed limit.
I arrived at the broadcasting station in record time, my heart racing. I parked and jumped out, rushing over to the entrance.
“Hi, I’m here to see Kendra,” I said, breathless.
The receptionist looked up, startled, and handed me a visitor’s form.
I hastily filled it out and handed it back.
She scanned the sheet, then nodded. “You’re looking for Miss Kendra Ryan? She works in the investigative journalism department, third floor.”
I sprinted toward the elevators, my impatience growing. The doors opened, and I stepped out into a bustling office space. A tall, lanky man with a friendly smile approached me.
“Hi, can I help you?”
“Kendra Ryan,” I said, slightly out of breath. “Does she work here?”
The man nodded. “Yeah, she’s one of our journalists. I’m Peter, her colleague.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Is she here? I need to see her.”
Peter’s expression turned sympathetic. “Sorry, man. Kendra’s not going to be at work for a while.”
My brain reeled. “What do you mean she’s not going to be at work?”
Peter shrugged. “She came in this morning just to get some paperwork done with HR. I don’t know the details, but we’ve got a temporary replacement filling in for her. HR didn’t give us much information.”
A temporary replacement? Kendra was leaving? My mind spun with questions.
“Do you know why?”
“Not sure, but nothing has really been the same since that story about your company got released.”
“Do you know when she’ll be back?” I asked, trying to keep my composure.
Peter shook his head. “Sorry, no idea. You might want to try HR or her personal contacts.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed Tina’s number, my fingers shaking.
“Please pick up, Tina,” I whispered.
Tina answered on the second ring. “Hey, Antonio! What’s up?”
“Tina, I need to see you. Now,” I begged, my voice low.
“What’s going on?” Tina asked, concern evident in her tone.
“I’m in the journalism department of your station. Kendra’s not here, and one of her colleagues said she’s not coming back to work.”
Tina’s pause was palpable. “Come to the media room, Antonio. I’ll meet you there.”
I ended the call and turned to Peter. “Where’s the media room?”
Peter pointed down the hall. “Take the stairs to the second floor, turn left, and it’s the last door on your right. You can’t miss it.”
I thanked Peter and rushed toward the stairs, my heart heavy with uncertainty.
As I descended, my mind replayed the conversation with Peter. A temporary replacement? Was Kendra leaving?
