6
The Assistant
Zander operated best whenhe had explicit plans. Unfortunately, when the plane touched down at half past twelve in Albuquerque, he had none. His phone blew up with messages and texts, but there was nothing from Savannah.
Inside the terminal, he sifted through his bag for the manila folder from Sheldon and called the number on the attorney’s letterhead. From what he’d surmised, Sheldon had a personal relationship with Savannah. Maybe he knew his stepsister’s whereabouts. An outgoing message indicated the law office would open at eight thirty the following business day. No cell phone number was provided. He scrutinized Sheldon’s website for one, but none was listed.Dammit.
He wouldn’t run half-cocked into the city, so, until he could formulate next steps, he’d stay put. After grabbing coffee, he found a row of chairs facing the tarmac and eased onto the faux leather seat. Planes thundered by, but his phone stayed quiet. He had no idea what job Savannah booked or who else to contact for her whereabouts. Gazing out at the impressive mountain range, he acknowledged his bone-headed move.This is why I don’t do impulsive.
Frustrated, he texted Savannah again. When no dots appeared, he dialed her number.This time I’ll leave her a damn message.
A woman crossed in front of him, pointed to the empty chair beside him, and dropped her bags on the floor. “Sit. Both of you.”
Two young boys pushed and shoved into the seat, jockeying for more room.
The mom knelt, her cheeks flushed. “One of you can sit near the window on the trip to your cousins’ and the other on the flight home. If you can’t stop arguing with each other, we’re not going. Is that what you guys want?”
“I wanna go,” whined the younger one.
Savannah’s outgoing message hijacked Zander’s attention. “If you can’t reach me, call my agent, Tilly Mason.” Savannah rattled off a phone number as one of the boys squealed.
“Ow, that hurt! Mom, he pinched me.”
“Sorry,” the mom said to Zander.
“It’s okay.” Ending the call, Zander smiled at the boys. “Hey, guys. Where you headed?”
“To visit our cousins,” said the older one.
“You two are lucky to have each other,” Zander said. “I’m an only child. I don’t have a buddy to hang with.”
“Nobody to play with?” asked the younger one.
Zander shook his head. “I’m all alone.”
“That’s sad,” said the older brother.
“It doesn’t matter who sits near the window,” Zander said. “What’s important is that you get to sit next to each other.”
“Okay.” The older one took the younger one’s hand. “You can sit near the window if you want.”
Rising, the mom mouthed, “Thank you,” before addressing her sons. “Everybody calm?”
Nodding, the kids scrambled off the chair, and the trio left.
Zander called Savannah again. As soon as he heard the agent’s number, he hung up and dialed.Come on, answer.
“Hello?”
Yes!“Is this Tilly Mason?”
“Depends on who’s calling.”
“This is Zander King, Savannah’s stepbrother.”
“Oh, hey. And yes, this is Tilly. Savannah mentioned that she…um…that you guys…um…er, I’m surprised to hear from you.”
“I flew to Albuquerque to talk with her, but can’t reach her. Do you know where she is?”
