Authors: Kimberley Woodhouse
His laughter rang out. "Are you serious?" Turning to Jenna, he added, "How appropriate."
The contents of her bag now safe on her tray, Jenna balled up the bag and threw it at him.
"Here's a Polar Bear Breakfast for Andie." Anesia kissed the top of Andie's head and continued, "Tundra Scramble for Zoya." She kissed the top of Zoya's head, then headed toward Cole. "And for you? Heart Attack on a Plate. Or should I say, in a bag?"
Jenna laughed at Cole's face when Anesia plopped the bag in front of him. "Anesia, you're awesome. Thanks for going to Snow City Café for all this."
"You are most welcome. I called the manager last night and put our order in. You know how crazy-busy that place is. After a little explanation, and reminding him about last time we were there," Anesia laughed, "he said he'd love to help his 'favorite' customer."
It felt so good to laugh along with her friend. Anesia knew her so well. Food from Snow City Café was the best prescription she could have gotten this morning.
Jenna couldn't stay away from the famous café. Let her be within a hundred miles of Anchorage, and she'd make her way there. Last time, she'd bought breakfast for all the sprint-dog racers from Anesia's kennel. She'd spent a small fortune, while sled-dog trucks lined the streets and hundreds of dogs yapped.
She'd had a blast.
Anesia took a deep whiff as she opened her own bag. "I have to wait an hour for the phones, but figured you all needed some food before I run back out."
Cole eyed his food and looked at Anesia's. "So what is yours? It looks a lot like mine."
"Veggie Bypass."
As their laughter continued, Jenna wanted to capture the moment in a bottle. If only this fun, normal moment could continue.
Without thoughts of plane crashes, missiles, or North Korea.
No one after them.
Everyone safe.
But no. That was just a dream. A dream that might never come true.
"Jenna?" Cole had snuck up on her when she wasn't looking. "Aren't you going to eat?"
Pasting a smile on her face, she took a bite. The omelet melted in her mouth and she savored the flavors of avocado, swiss cheese, green onions, and crab. Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind to relax for a moment. Plenty of time to worry about what would happen next.
Cole patted her shoulder. "Good girl."
"I'm not a dog, Cole." The omelet might be yummy, but it didn't keep her from snapping at him.
"I know." He walked away, putting a little distance between them. "Even though you do have a pretty serious bite."
Andie covered her mouth and laughed, almost choking on her food. "Sorry, Mom. You have to admit, that was pretty funny."
"I don't have to admit anything, young lady." She winked at Andie. "Other than the fact that this omelet is super-fantabulous." Jenna wiggled her eyebrows.
Everyone laughed with her, as a knock sounded at the door.
In walked Dr. Baker with a tall, severe woman. "Well now, this looks like fun. Anyone bring me anything?"
The woman beside him frowned and looked at him as if he'd just announced she'd be performing as a clown next. Highly doubtful the woman could even crack a smile.
"I'll share with you, Dr. Baker, if you want." Andie held up her plate of goodies. "I even have M&Ms."
"Well, now, I might just have to take you up on that." The doctor smiled at Andie, then looked to his companion. "May I introduce Dr. Fullerton? She's here for the psych consult."
"Great," Jenna mumbled under her breath. The woman looked like she'd sucked on a few too many lemons.
"Shall we get started?" The woman pushed her glasses up her nose and looked from Jenna to Andie. "I'd like to talk to Andie alone, if you don't mind."
"I
do
mind. You may talk to her here. With me." Jenna gave her a look that she hoped was threatening as she shoved another bite of omelet into her mouth.
The lady doctor looked to Dr. Baker. "This is highly unusual."
Dr. Baker chuckled. "You'll find lots of unusual things here in Alaska, Doctor. Remember, this is unofficial and Jenna has also asked me to stay." He looked at Jenna. "Dr. Fullerton has been in New York the past few years. This is her first week in Anchorage. She likes to do things by the book." He shot her a sympathetic look. "Our normal doctor was unavailable."
"Oh." Jenna kept eating.
The flustered doctor straightened her shoulders. "I don't believe my newness to Alaska has any bearing on this situation, Dr. Baker. Might I ask for the rest of this . . . entourage"—she waved at the others in the room—"to leave?"
Cole stepped forward, his solid arms folded across his chest. "Why?"
Her hero. Jenna offered him a smile. "I see no need for that, Doctor."
"All right." With a huff, the doctor approached Andie with her clipboard. "Since you refuse to cooperate with standard protocol, I can be flexible." She straightened her papers and pulled a pen from the pocket of her doctor's coat. "Only since this is
unofficial.
" Sarcasm dripped from her words with the pointed look she shot Dr. Baker.
"Andie, I hear things have been pretty traumatic for you lately?" The doctor's voice was smooth as silk.
It was annoying.
"Yes, ma'am. But I've got God, I'm okay." Andie's face beamed.
"Want to tell me about the incident yesterday?"
"Which one?"
The doctor cleared her throat as stifled chuckles rippled through the room. "I wasn't aware there was more than one."
"There's always incidents with me, Doctor. I'm not normal."
Cole, Anesia, Zoya, and Dr. Baker all laughed out loud.
The psych doctor silenced them with a stern look. "Well, how about you talk to me about losing your temper yesterday—how it felt, what set you off, why you felt the need to attack?"
"I don't feel things like you, so
felt
is not an appropriate word to use in your questioning." Andie's huge smile lit up the room as her response evoked a chuckle from Dr. Baker. She was obviously satisfied with her answer, but the new doctor didn't seem to have a sense of humor.
"All right, Andie. What would be an appropriate word?" One look at the doctor proved that she did
not
find this amusing.
And they thought I was grumpy!
"I don't know. I don't feel things."
"Not even emotions?" The doctor caught on.
"Well, of course I feel emotions."
"So, did you feel angry yesterday?" The smooth as silk tone returned.
"Yes, I did."
"Let's talk about that anger. What was it like?"
"Well, for one thing, it wasn't fun. I found out my dad had done some things I didn't like. And for another thing, I was on steroids. Steroids make me emotional and hostile. That's not normal for me either."
Jenna watched her twelve-year-old and nodded her head.
You tell her, sweetie.
"So you're telling me, you believe you are fine now?" The doctor pointed her pen at Andie.
"Yes, ma'am."
"No more anger?"
"Not really. Nope."
"Very unusual. This will be a good one for the books."
"I don't ever do things like the books say I should." Another nod.
Dr. Baker chuckled again. "Isn't that the truth."
"Excuse me? Would you care to explain, Doctor?" Protocol lady studied him, pen and paper ready.
"Andie's case has never fit any of the medical books or journals. That's what she means. In essence, we try to predict what will happen next—according to the books—and she normally does the opposite." Dr. Baker looked like he was ready to end this.
Jenna wanted to move things along. "Dr. Baker, is this really necessary? Andie is fine."
A knock sounded at the door. The security guard entered. "Hate to disturb you guys, but we've got a Mr. Carmichael here from the NTSB."
The NTSB? Jenna knew the National Transportation Safety Board investigated any plane accidents, but it surprised her they'd come to see them here. In the hospital. She watched Cole shoot a glance to Dr. Baker.
"You know, I think we're done here." Dr. Baker smiled at Jenna. "Let's not waste the good doctor's time."
Dr. Fullerton grimaced. "That's normally
my
call, Doctor."
He patted the woman's shoulder. "I understand how you feel, Doctor. But this was just a test. Not a full-fledged consult." He took her by the elbow, tugging her toward the door, and winked at Andie. "You understand, don't you?"
"But—but I—"
Jenna waved. "Thank you so much for stopping by, Dr. Fullerton."
"You're welcome." The doctor stammered, shaking hands with everyone as Dr. Baker ushered her out of the room.
The door closed, and the girls began to giggle.
"That was too funny! Auntie Jenna, you should've seen your face."
"Yeah, Mom. Your eyes looked like you were gonna shoot fire at her."
Another knock.
Cole moved to the door and escorted another man and a police officer into the room. "Officer. Sir." He shook hands with the men. "Cole Maddox."
"Matt Carmichael, NTSB."
"Officer Lucas, APD."
The NTSB agent approached her bed. "Mrs. Gray, I need to ask you all a few questions."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
COLE
April 13
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
11:14 a.m.
Cole walked to Jenna's side. "What is this about, Mr. Carmichael?"
"Please, call me Matt. The NTSB needs to investigate the crash so the debris can be removed from Denali National Park."
"Of course." Jenna nodded. "What do you need to know?"
"Thank you. Officer Lucas is here because of the media and rumors that are going around. The APD would like to stay informed and help where necessary. It also falls under their jurisdiction since we know your plane took off from Anchorage."
Lucas stood against the wall, watching.
"Mrs. Gray, we don't wish to alarm you, but were you aware that your flight plan had been erased?"
Jenna didn't hesitate. "I was not aware at the time, but I've heard about it since then, yes."
"And your pilot was someone you knew and trusted?"
"Up until that day, yes. He'd been a friend of my late husband, and after Marc passed away, I hired Hank to fly my plane for me until I had my pilot's license."
Cole hovered over Jenna while the NTSB proceeded to grill her about the minutes before the crash. He watched her shoulders slump as she relived the experience.
"I must apologize, ma'am, but some things aren't adding up. We flew over the area and couldn't find the plane."
Jenna peered up at Cole, questions in her eyes.
Cole straightened. "Matt, do you mind if I answer this one?"
"Not at all, be my guest."
"An avalanche covered the crash site after a helicopter shot a missile into the plane."
Both officers' eyes widened.
"That's why you can't find it."
ANDIE
11:25 a.m.
I shoved another M&M in my mouth as the investigators closed their notebooks.
"Thank you for your help, Cole." The NTSB guy shook his hand. "We should be able to find the plane with your coordinates." He turned to Mom. "The Talkeetna rangers will fly us in with a law enforcement ranger. We'll investigate the crash, and then we'll need your help removing the crash from the park."
Mom bit her lip. "Thank you."
As the investigator dudes left the room, Dr. Baker walked in with a smile. Cole leaned in and whispered something in his ear.
What?
"Well, let's check that ankle of yours, Andie." Dr. Baker walked over to me and slipped my sock off.
He glanced at Cole, looking . . . apprehensive. Was he concerned I would have another outburst?
Apparently.
"Dr. Baker, want an M&M?" I used my cute voice and the "innocent look."
A smile softened his face. "Sure."
Once finished, he stood up and shook a finger at me. "
Do not
walk on that ankle unless you use the air cast, understand?"
"Yes, sir. Besides"— I giggled and shifted my gaze to Cole—"I don't think Mr. Bodyguard would let me so much as sneeze without him knowing."
Cole winked. "Don't you know it."
"I should go pick up the cell phones now." Auntie Anesia stood and walked toward the door. "Need anything while I'm gone?"
I held up the almost empty bag of M&Ms.
"Please?"
I turned to Mom and did the puppy-dog pout.
"You finished those already?" Cole's exclamation made me laugh.
"It wasn't just me, Zoya helped too."
"Yeah, Andie couldn't eat a whole bag by herself. Well, not normally." Zoya giggled.
"Girl, nothing about me is normal."
"I know. That's why I love you so much." She gave me a sideways hug.
"The M&Ms love me too." I hugged the bag to my chest and gave a dramatic sigh.
"More like your stomach loves the M&Ms." Cole shifted and lifted his right ankle to rest on his left knee. I could tell he was trying not to smile.
"So . . ." This time it was two against one. Zoya joined me in perfect puppy-dog pout harmony.
"Okay, okay. A
small
bag. Like the ones you buy at the cash register." Mom glanced at Auntie Anesia with a "don't-you-dare-spoil-her" glare.
Like she's ever spoiled me and gotten a big bag of my favorite candy.
Oh, wait. She had.
Auntie Anesia smiled and left the room with a wave.
"Let's take a look at those stitches now, Andie." Dr. Baker sat back down on the bed. "Lookin' good. Just don't go crashing into any more machinery."
"Aww. Why not?" I smiled as Dr. Baker gave me "the look." "Okay, I won't."
"Good girl."
Mom smiled. "Thank you so much, Dr. Baker."
"Not a problem, Jenna. I'm just glad you're all okay." He stood. "I guess that's all. I'll come and check on you guys again in a little while." He began to walk out, but stopped and turned around. "Girls, I'm so sorry I forgot, but have you told them about that man?"
"What man?" Mom and Cole spoke simultaneously and turned to me.
"Uh . . ." I peeked at Zoya.
"Andie, what man?" Cole stood up and walked over.