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* * *

By Monday Cole was back at work. Garrett Malone, also known as Greg Martin, had held a press conference that morning from Santa Cruz stating that he'd made up the entire story, that he had no basis of proof for any of his allegations regarding Natalie or any other women named in his book. The Parish family had also offered a statement through their attorney that they were satisfied with the results of the police investigation and believed that Emily's death had in fact been an accident.

Cole had had a lengthy, emotional conversation with his parents, and they had agreed to ask the police to close the case. With no concrete evidence that Diane Thomas had pushed Emily off the roof, they didn't see the point of a long trial that would only damage Emily's reputation. However, in usual Parish fashion, his father had put pressure on the university to suggest that both Diane and her husband, Greg Martin, resign. While Cole hated the •idea of Diane getting away with murder, he knew that his parents, especially his mother, could not handle the scandalous press that would go after a story about Emily's affair with the professor. He'd been raised to protect his little sister, and this was the last thing he could do to protect her.

Cole leaned back in his office chair, the panel of television screens on the opposite wall showing events happening around the world. Soon he would be one of those reporters. It was time—past time. Late last night he'd finally made the decision to change his life.

He looked up as Josh popped his head in the door. "Hey, how's it going?"

"That depends on whether the rumors are true." Josh sat down in the chair opposite Cole's desk and gave him a searching look. "Are you leaving the paper?"

"News travels fast around here. I'm not leaving the paper. I'm going on assignment to the Middle East."

"Why?"

"It's what I've always wanted. You know that."

"I know it's what you used to want. I thought that might have changed, especially in the last week."

Cole shook his head, unwilling to admit to Josh that his passion for adventure didn't seem quite as strong as it had once been. "Did you talk to Dylan?"

"He filled me in on everything, except what's going on with you and Natalie."

"Nothing is going on. It's over."

Josh leaned forward, a knowing gleam in his eyes. "That's what you said the last time."

"This time it's true. I'm leaving. It's what I have to do."

"What you have to do? I thought you just said it was what you wanted to do."

"You know what I mean."

"I don't think you know what you mean. Do I need to throw a stapler at your head to get your attention? What you want—who you want—is right here in San Francisco, not the Middle East."

Cole stood up, not so happy to have Josh in his office anymore. "I need to brief Marty on some things. Why don't you buy me a drink later? I'm not leaving until tomorrow."

"When will you be back?" Josh asked, as he got to his feet.

"When I've had enough."

Josh walked with him to the office door. "Natalie is the one for you, Cole. No one else has ever come close. Don't you think it's about time you told her that?"

"It's too late for us. Natalie doesn't believe in second chances."

"But you do. You're getting a second chance at the career you always wanted. Why can't you have Natalie, too?"

"Because she doesn't want me."

"Are you sure about that?"

* * *

"Dr. Bishop? There's someone in the waiting room who'd like to speak to you."

"A patient?" Natalie asked, jotting down some notes on the chart of the last patient she had seen. It felt good to be back to work. The. attending physician and significant others at the hospital had all apologized and welcomed her back. In fact, she'd been offered a full-time position at St. Timothy's if she wanted it. She was still considering that one. She wasn't sure how close she wanted to stay to Cole. San Francisco was his town. It always would be.

"She's not ill. She just wants to talk to you," the nurse answered. "She's sitting by the door, wearing