Page 35 of Calder Country

“Planes can be replaced. At least you’ll live to fly again. But you should stay grounded until you’ve had time to recover from that bump on the head.”

“When I’m ready, I’ll know.”

“I mean it. You could pass out in the air.”

“You sound like my father.” It was time to shut the conversation down. The rule was a sensible one—when doing business, don’t exchange personal information with anyone who can give you up to the wrong people. “Please, just drive,” she said.

He slowed the car as they passed through Blue Moon; the town was just awakening for the day. Then he picked up speed as the road opened up toward Miles City. The morning sky was streaked with clouds of mauve and amber that faded with the rising sun. Traffic was light on the road—here and there a farmer hauling produce or chickens to market, or a traveler rushing to catch an early train.

Ruby could almost have found the ride pleasant, except for the throbbing pain in her head and her worry about what would happen after she made her call to the farm. By now she would be overdue. Concerns would arise, not only for her but for the plane and the cargo. There would also be concern that she’d been arrested and forced to tell the authorities what she knew.

Colucci would be furious. But she couldn’t control what was going to happen. She could only react. And she couldn’t allow herself to trust anyone. Not the criminals she worked for, not the government agents who would abandon her—and her father—if anything went wrong, and certainly not the man beside her, driving the car.

“You’re awfully quiet,” he said, breaking the silence between them. “I know it’s none of my business, but I can imagine how worried you must be.”

“Worried?” She gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve just destroyed a valuable plane, lost several thousand dollars’ worth of cargo, and the people I work for aren’t known to be very forgiving. Why should I be worried?”

“You work for Leo Colucci, right?”

His words stunned her into silence, not because Mason knew she worked for Colucci, but that he would mention it to her.

“He’s my contact,” Mason said, “the man I’ll need to call to order a new shipment. I could put in a good word for you—make sure he knows the plane’s engine failure wasn’t your fault and that you did everything you could to land safely. Would that help?”

“Don’t be naive,” she said. “The only way you can help is to let me off in Miles City and forget me. I’ll deal with Colucci myself.”

“Is he your boyfriend?”

His words slammed her. “He’s my boss. Trust me, the less you know about him the better.”

“Does that mean you can’t pull some strings to get me bigger shipments?” Mason’s voice held a teasing note. Was he joking? Ruby couldn’t tell.

“Don’t even ask,” she said. “Just let me off at the Olive Hotel on Main Street and drive away. For your own safety and mine, you don’t know anything about me.”

“Understood. How’s your head?”

“It hurts, but I’ll be fine.”

“You should see a doctor.”

“What could a doctor do that I can’t do myself? I just need to rest.”

* * *

They were coming into Miles City. The hotel was on the next block. Mason pulled up a couple of car lengths short of the main entrance.

Ruby glanced up and down the boardwalk. It wasn’t crowded at this hour, but she still appeared wary. “Turn right at the next corner and go around the block to the delivery entrance,” she said. “I don’t want to be seen getting out of your car.”

Mason followed her directions. By the time he pulled into the alley leading to the rear of the building, Ruby was already reaching for the door handle. “No need to help me,” she said. “I have a room inside. I know the way, and the key’s in my pocket.”

“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” He pulled the car into a spot where it wouldn’t block any traffic. Right now the place was quiet, but workers and delivery trucks would be arriving soon.

“I’ll be fine,” she said. “I’d just rather not be noticed. Thank you for the lift, Mr. Dollarhide. And good luck with your business.”

She flung the door open and stepped out into the alley. Before Mason could react, she was headed for the back door, which opened next to the loading dock above a short flight of steps. He could see that she wasn’t going to make it. She swayed and wove like a drunkard, struggling for balance with every step.

Mason sprang out of the car and sprinted after her—but Ruby had a head start. Before he could reach her, her legs buckled and she collapsed at the foot of the steps.

He scooped her up in his arms. Her eyelids were closed. They fluttered open as he carried her inside.

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