Page 66 of Degrees of Power
“Chase, your bag is packed and your ride is here,” Gaby says over the intercom system.
He looks like he wants to say something and I put up my hand, too emotionally drained. “Go, Chase. I will be fine,” I say, knowing it’s a lie.
“I love you,” he says, kissing me on the cheek before he opens the door and closes it behind him. I do not have the energy to go upstairs and curl up on the couch by the window, pulling the afghan that lays on it around me. I am unable to control my tears, fearing the unknown, where he’ll be, what will happen.
I wake to a gentle prodding of my shoulder. “Kate, it’s way past dinner time. Are you hungry?” Gaby asks kindly.
“What time is it?” I ask, searching quickly for my cell.
“It’s seven, you’ve been sleeping for hours. I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay,” she says.
I nod. “Thank you. I’m fine, but I really am very hungry,” I say.
“What do you feel like?” she says.
“Any chance I could get a bowl of your tomato basil soup and a grilled cheese?” I ask.
“I keep a few servings in the freezer for just such occasions. Why don’t you relax and wake up a little while I put it together,” she says, sashaying out of the study and closing the door behind her.
I skim through the missed messages on my cell and put it down. All I know is that he made it to his private airstrip and was preparing to take off. No clue where he is going or when he’ll return. I pull myself together and go upstairs to freshen up before heading into the kitchen to find Gaby.
“Smells fantastic,” I say, as the basil and smell of bubbling cheddar wafts through the air.
“Take a seat, it will be done soon,” she says as Sheldon walks in.
“Hi there,” I say, eyeing him ruefully.
“Hi there yourself. Gaby said you were sleeping most of the afternoon. Wanted to make sure you hadn’t put someone on the couch in your place and given me the slip again,” he says, grinning widely.
“Sheldon!” Are you ever going to let me live that down?” I ask, recalling with a smile how I gave him the slip by going into a public bathroom in one outfit and leaving in another and a beret to cover my hair.
“Probably not, but on a serious note I did want to check in and make sure you were okay.
“I appreciate that, but I would be much better if I at least knew where Chase was right now. Do you know?” I ask.
“I can honestly say that I don’t. I’ll be staying in the guest quarters while Chase is away. Just wanted to let you know so you’d feel safe for the night,” he says.
“I do, Sheldon. I know you’ll take care of anything that arises,” I say as my phone rings. The telephone number is unfamiliar, but I recall Chase saying he may call on a secure line. “Excuse me, I just want to catch this in case it’s Chase,” I say.
“Hello, this is officer Patrick,” a deep male voice says.
“You’ve reached Kate Prestian. How can I help you?” I say, hitting the speakerphone button so that Sheldon can listen to the call, trying to get a handle on my climbing heart rate, fearing the worst for Chase.
“I’m looking for Mrs. Katarina Prestian,” he says.
It is moments before I find my voice, my breath catching in my chest. “This is she, I go by Kate,” I say as my body begins to tremble with unexplained fear for Chase.
“Mrs. Prestian, I’m sorry to have to give you this news, but your mother has you listed as the emergency contact in her cell phone. She and your father have been in a grave accident and were rushed to the New York Trauma Center.”
“My parents?” I say, trying to comprehend what the officer is saying.
“I’m afraid so, Mrs. Prestian. I’m not a medical professional, but the car accident was one of the worst I’ve seen in a long time. If they were my parents and I wanted to see them one last time, I’d be on the next flight home,” he says.
“Of course, thank you for calling me,” I say, tears welling in my eyes.
“You’re welcome and I’m sorry to have to give you such bad news. If there’s anything I can assist you with please feel free to contact me back at the number on your cell,” he says before disconnecting.
“Sheldon, can you arrange the helicopter and the Gulfstream? Let’s use the private runway. I don’t want to waste time traveling to the airport,” I say.
