“Well, I hope to hell there’s been something,” said Jake. “The girl is on a plane to Atlanta. I was going crazy. I didn’t know what the hell to do.”
“Al was knifed, I guess by the girl. He’s at San Francisco General, having surgery. I can’t get near him.”
“Christ!” said Jake incredulously, unable to imagine that the pint-sized broad could have knifed Al and gotten away.
“He’s not supposed to be hurt that bad,” continued George. “What’s worse is that apparently Al wasted a maid. He had the woman’s passkeys in his pocket. He’s being charged with murder.”
“Shit,” said Jake. Things were going from bad to worse.
“Where are you now?” asked George.
“Just on the freeway, leaving the airport,” said Jake.
“Go back,” said George. “Book us on the next flight to Atlanta. I think we owe Al a bit of revenge.”
18
May 24
“READING MATERIAL?” asked the smiling cabin attendant.
Marissa nodded. She needed something to keep her from thinking about the horrible scene in the hotel.
“Magazine or newspaper?” asked the attendant.
“Newspaper, I guess,” said Marissa.
“San Francisco Examiner or New York Times?”
Marissa was in no mood to make decisions. “New York Times,” she said finally.
The big jet leveled off, and the seat-belt sign went out. Marissa glanced through the window at rugged mountains stretching off into dry desert. It was a relief to have gotten onto the plane finally. At the airport, she had been so scared of either being attacked by one of the blond man’s friends or being arrested, she had simply hidden in a toilet in the ladies’ room.
Unfolding the newspaper, Marissa glanced at the table of contents. Continuing coverage of the Ebola outbreaks in Philadelphia and New York was listed on page 4. Marissa turned to it.
The article reported that the Philadelphia death toll was up to fifty eight and New York was at forty-nine, but that many more cases had been reported there. Marissa was not surprised since the index case was an ear, nose and throat specialist. She also noted that the Rosenberg Clinic had already filed for bankruptcy.
On the same page as the Ebola article was a photograph of Dr.
Ahmed Fakkry, head of epidemiology for the World Health Organization. The article next to the picture said that he was visiting the CDC to investigate the Ebola outbreaks because World Health was fearful that the virus would soon cross the Atlantic.
Maybe Dr. Fakkry could help her, thought Marissa. Perhaps the lawyer Ralph was lining up for her would be able to arrange for her to speak with him.
Ralph was catching up on his journals when the doorbell rang at 9:30 P.M. Glancing at his watch, he wondered who could possibly be visiting at that hour. He looked out of the glass panel on the side of the door and was shocked to find himself staring directly into Manssa’s face.
“Marissa!” he said in disbelief, pulling open the door. Behind her, he could see a yellow cab descending his long, curved driveway.
Marissa saw him hold out his arms and ran into them, bursting into tears.
“I thought you were in California,” said Ralph. “Why didn’t you call and let me know you were coming? I would have met you at the airport.”
Marissa just held onto him, crying. It was so wonderful to feel safe. “What happened to you?” he asked, but was only greeted by louder sobs.
“At least let’s sit down,” he said, helping her to the couch. For a few minutes, he just let her cry, patting her gently on the back. “It’s okay,” he said for lack of anything else. He eyed the phone, willing it to ring. He had to make a call, and at this rate she was never going to let him get up. “Perhaps you’d like something to drink?” he asked. “How about some of that special cognac? Maybe it will make you feel better.”
Manissa shook her head.
“Wine? I have a nice bottle of Chardonnay open in the refrigerator.” Ralph was running out of ideas.
Marissa just held him tighter, but her sobs were lessening, her breathing becoming more regular.