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Peter tried once more to reach Lindsay. No one answered. He became worried: could something have happened to her? Though Connor's death seemed to cool down their friendship, there was still a bond between them that grew with every year of their work together. Peter fancied that without Lindsay he weren't able to stand Praeger and his jokes. It was hard for Peter to think, that all at once there could be no Lindsay.
Still wavering he dialed Anton's number.
The voice on the another side of the wire sounded warm and friendly like always. And now Peter was very grateful for that. "Anton," he said, after the greeting, " have you heard something from Lindsay?"
Anton's voice became at once attentive and Peter could hear the concern:" Should I?"
"No, I don't even think you should but I wanted to talk to her and no one answers my calls. I have tried her mobile phone, her house but nobody is there."
"Perhaps she's with Marc," smiled Anton. "Do you have something urgent?"
Peter paused. He didn't know the right answer. Yes, it was urgent to talk to Lindsay but was the dream really of such an importance? "I think it is. For her at least." He could almost see the frowns on Anton's forehead.
"It has something to do with Connor, doesn't it?" the psychologist asked. "Yes it has," and Peter could feel advice coming.
"Peter, perhaps you should have a little rest?" Anton started. Otherwise Peter would have heard to the answer of his old and experienced friend but not now.
"No, Anton, I really don't deserve stealing your precious time any longer. See you later, on Monday," and he put down the receiver not caring what Anton said. Anton was a good man and an understanding friend but he would never understand how Peter really felt. He would never guess what it meant, having to live with that sense of guilt, knowing it was his fault Connor died.
Peter sighed and dialed for the hundredth time Lindsay's number.
Anton sat thoughtful on the sofa, still holding the receiver. Peter's behavior was strange. No, not strange but restless. Perhaps it had something to do with the sense of guilt? But it was years ago! They have got used to Praeger and so the new Case Manager wasn't a problem any more. Of course he could sometimes see, how Peter and Lindsay changed glances when Praeger told them to do something and he knew they still missed Doyle. But during the last year they never mentioned his name and Anton thought, they began to forget the tragedy. Now he saw it wasn't the end. And a strange feeling told Anton it was a beginning of a new tragedy.
"Yes, and then I have caught a big fish. Let me show you," Marc tried not to laugh seeing the expression on Lindsay's face.
"Oh, and then it decided, it has played enough and could go home to its children. Didn't it, Marc?" Lindsay was amused.
"Hey, you have no right of mocking!"
"Don't I?"
Marc made an angry face but couldn't resist laughing with Lindsay. "And what did you do? Reading and such?" he awaited a witty answer but none came.
"Reading and such," repeated Lindsay. "Isn't it time to get ready for the party?"
Marc watched her disappearing in the bathroom. And he felt uneasy. He didn't stop asking himself what was going on.
The party was a success and driving home Marc still told jokes until he mentioned that Lindsay was only half - hearing. "What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"Hmm?" she seemed not to notice he was saying something. "Marc, have you ever thought about death?"
Lindsay's question caught him unaware. "What do you mean by death?" "People come and go, Marc. And no matter how we love them they get away. No one can live eternally," she watched him with her gray eyes that now seemed black.
"Of course you can't. It's a law, Lindsay. If people were immortal then perhaps you would have never been born. And who knows, maybe it's even better somewhere else. Maybe that is why everyone dies: there is another world to live in."
"Do you think that dead can come back?" Marc shrugged. He already had to answer this question. It was ages ago but he still could see the frightened face of his friend: "Marc, do you think that dead can come back?"
And he answered just the way he already had: "Everyone can return."
Praeger was very angry. It was Monday, a normal working day but there was no one in O.S.I.R. He got even more annoyed as he saw Elsinger coming up to him. "Good morning Mathew and where is the team?" Praeger let the anger out: "What the hell do I know, Frank. I thought it was one of your orders."
"What do you mean by "my orders" ", Frank snapped.
"Well, you are used to give Lindsay more information than me, maybe the whole team is on their way while I must play the fool here. I am already fed up with your endless jokes, Frank," Praeger cried out.
"Don't get too far Mathew, patience is not one of my best qualities. You know very well, I don't give any information to the members of your team. You're always the 1st to know about the case," Mat's anger seemed to reach Frank as well. "But I won't wonder if they behave that way. It's a decease to have such Case Manager."
And before Praeger could do anything else he gave him some papers: "This is your new case, Mr. Knowing - All". With these words Elsinger turned and went away.
"To hell with the team, to hell with…" he was just going to throw the papers on the floor as he heard a voice behind him: "Good morning, Mat."
Praeger span around and saw Lindsay, smiling like always. She was smiling like always while he quarreled with Elsinger because of her. "Where have you been?" he asked shortly.
Even if Lindsay was surprised her face gave nothing away. "I was at home. Have I missed something? As far as I know the last case was closed and there was no extra work to do. Am I wrong?" she cautiously asked, watching the expression on Mat's face.
"Do you know what time it is now?" he asked and his voice promised nothing good.
"No, but I will tell it in a minute," she looked at her wristwatch and said: "It's a quarter to eight. I know, I was due to come a bit earlier but we're talking for already five minutes and …"
"A quarter to eight?" unbelieving Praeger stared at his own watch. It showed half past eight.
Praeger looked at the big watch hanging in the room. It showed a quarter to eight. Then the whole team knew of course everything. Again he was fooled. Lindsay still waited for Mat's answer:" Perhaps there is something I can do?" she asked.
"Get out of my way," and Praeger stormed out of the room.
Lindsay shrugged. Of course she was used to Mat's behavior but now she felt hurt. She hasn't slept well because of the trip and because of her thoughts. Though Marc and she spent the rest of the way chatting merrily about the party and parted like always lightly, she still thought she treated Marc in a wrong way. He was not responsible for the way she behaved and for her past.
Anton interrupted her musings. "Where's Praeger? You scared him away?" he wondered smiling after the greeting.
"Seems like he had another quarrel with Elsinger," replied Lindsay. "But even if he had, he sounded too rude. Though it matters nothing," she added.
Anton watched her attentively: "Lindsay, has Peter reached you?"
"No," she answered intrigued, " did something important happen?" "Well, I guess he wanted to talk to you. Anyway he told me nothing. Seems to be a top secret," Anton smiled.
"Have you heard what our next case would be?" Lindsay wondered. In that moment Elsinger entered the room. Lindsay was the 1st to see him. "Morning, Frank," she said cheerfully.
lsinger was at once thankful to her for the good mood. It would have been horrible if everyone in that team had Mathew's character. "As far as I can see your Case Manager is away. I gave him the description of the new case but he was very annoyed. Perhaps you should watch for yourself," and he reached out the papers.
"Anton, Lindsay, see you later," and he disappeared in the door.
"Do you think we should look it through?" Anton meant of course the case.
"I don't know whether it's a right thing to do. Praeger will again accuse us of a conspiracy against him," she sighed. "Mat is a good man and can be a true friend but sometimes he drives me crazy."
"Not only you," Anton added. They were deep in the case and didn't hear the door being opened. As for Peter he was relieved to see Lindsay safe and sound.
"Hey, guys and where is our commander?" at the sound of his voice Lindsay and Anton turned and smiled.
"Hi, Pete, how was the week - end?" Lindsay seemed to be her old self: light - hearted, gay and witty.
"That is what I would like to ask you. I have tried to call you every two hours and nobody picked up the phone!"
Lindsay made a face:" Sorry, daddy, I have forgotten to tell you that I was going with Marc to a village in the mountains. I hope you weren't too worried, Pete?"
"Oh, Lin, it's not funny," Peter couldn't stop laughing.
"Did you have something urgent?" Lindsay became serious.
"I don't know it's just that…"
Praeger burst in the room red from anger, interrupting their talk. "You are again plotting!"
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