Graham broke in. “I’m sorry. Who is Arthur?”
“Film editor,” Kari said. “Not important.”
“Well, it is, but . . .” Ian actually smiled at how Kari rolled her finger.Get on with it.“I thought I needed help in handling the situation. Arthur obviously thought differently.”
Rafi asked, “This Arthur, he’s the older gentleman who handled the recording?”
“Right. Arthur Rowe. Two Oscars. He’s also editing Danny’s film.” Ian started to add Arthur’s news about the next gig, then decided that needed to wait. “Arthur keeps telling me I shouldn’t concern myself, that Connor’s a pro and he’ll come around. But landing here, it hit me all over again. I’m worried, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Arthur’s right,” Rafi declared.
“For once, I agree with my friend,” Graham said.
“Well, I never,” Rafi responded.
“Don’t get used to it,” Graham said.
Kari was almost cross. “Guys. Let’s focus here.”
Then Ian spotted the lady with their luggage. “We’re in a limo, and our driver is on approach. We can keep talking, but it needs to be circumspect.”
“My middle name,” Rafi said.
Graham said, “We’re taxiing for takeoff. Let me discuss the situation with Mr. Circumspecter here. We’ll call you back.”
Ian cut the connection, said to Kari, “You were right to call.”
She watched the driver settle behind the wheel. “You should talk with Indrid.”
“I don’t want to disturb her.”
“You heard what she said. She would behonoredto talk.” Kari flicked through speed dial. “There it is. Indrid.”
“Will you ask?”
Kari nodded.
Ian held her gaze as she greeted the good doctor, said Ian needed to speak with her, set up an appointment for them to chat in a couple of hours.
Kari cut the connection and said, “See how easy that was?”
“Thank you.” He pointed to the phone. “For both of these connections. I owe you.”
She actually smiled. “That’s a new one. For me, anyway.”
“It’s true.”
When her only response was to reach across the kitten and take his hand, Ian leaned forward and asked the driver, “What are your instructions about our arrival?”
“Let the front desk know when we’re on approach, sir. That’s pretty much it.”
“Call them back. Ask the manager or their representative to meet us out front. We want to go straight to Ms. Langham’s suite. No stopping for registration. No slowing down for an elevator or any other reason. No photographs.” Ian settled back. “If you face any issue, pass me the phone.”
Kari studied him. “So that’s how it’s done.”
* * *
Graham phoned back while Kari and Ian were trapped in slow-moving bridge traffic. When Kari answered and put them on speaker, Graham announced, “Rafi agrees with me. You’re worrying about issues that need to wait.”
