Page 41 of Radar

“My dear, will a very few days more make such a difference?” Uncle Orest asked. “I’m thinking of Eddie. Of course, he is my guest. All arrangements are in place. He is, asever, welcome. He seems to be having a marvelous time with the dogs.”

“He is. I think you have him hooked on traveling by sled dog, which is not very practical where we live.” Elyssa looked up as a server extended a menu toward her. “Thank you, but I ate earlier. Perhaps some water?” After the server retreated, Elyssa said, “I’m nervous about even waiting until morning to leave. It’s the soonest I could arrange things. I hired a car to come pick me up. Because it’s almost two hours to the airport, and you like to sleep in, I need to say goodbye to you now.”

“What time is your plane leaving?” Uncle Orest asked.

“My car comes at seven. The plane leaves just after ten.”

“And you fly straight through to D.C.?” Uncle Orest asked.

“I have a layover in Chicago, but it’s a good one. Long enough that I shouldn’t have to worry about delays and short enough that it’s not difficult to manage.”

“Ah, in Russian, there is an idiom that translates to say, ‘The plan has no wealth.’ We make plans and hope for best. This adventure worked for neither you nor for me. I received a phone call telling me of an urgent matter that needs my immediate attention with our family who visit Singapore.”

“Oh dear. I’m so sorry.”

“It is precautionary that I go and lend my wisdom.” He chuckled. “I think there is something about me that our family finds calming. I’ll go, give them lots of hugs and advice. Usually, they accept hugs and ignore advice.”

“Shall we go to the airport together then?” Elyssa asked.

“I will be up before the cock crows. My car picks me up at 4:20 tomorrow morning. Now, as to driving together, I would ask you to join me in my car, but you’ve already made your arrangements, and I plan to sleep stretched out in back seat.”

“Have you spoken with Eddie and Paca?”

“I have. Our friends are aware that they should continue with their schedule as planned and enjoy this time. They seem to be companionable. Perhaps when they work together at NASA, they will become good friends. But perhaps you prefer for Eddie to come with you, so you are not traveling alone?”

“No, sir. There will be plenty of people around me. If I need help, honestly, there is little Eddie could do.”

“Well then, with lodge paid for, all is arranged. Our friends have met my dog team. They should enjoy watching start of Iditarod.”

“That’s very generous of you, Uncle.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Thank you for being so kind to Eddie. And you know, Paca is really lovely as well. It was wonderful to meet him and spend a day having him show us Fairbanks and his lab. His squirrel stories are hysterical.”

Uncle Orest pursed his lips and stared at her for a long moment with an expression that Elyssa couldn’t decipher. “I really must press you, my dear. Is there anything I can say that would encourage you to get on my plane with me? In Singapore, surely there will be shops where you can find warm weather clothes to wear.”

“The wedding.” She reminded him. “I’m still coming to Singapore next week, and then the family retreat on the island. Your secretary booked the flights for Monday.” She paused, a frown forming between her brows. “But you said that there’s an urgent matter? Is there anything I can do to help, or will my presence be a distraction or a burden? I can arrange a different time.”

“I think our new plans will be best. Come give me hug. I will see you when you get to our family island.” Uncle Orest rose to receive Elyssa’s embrace.

Adjusting her backpack on her shoulder, Elyssa felt a strange sense of dread creep through her system.

It was probably her fear of walking out into the bitter cold and its effect on her blood pressure as she walked to her room.

Yes, that had to be it.

Right?

Chapter Fourteen

Xander

Sunday

Fairbanks, Alaska

“All right, Hiro, I’m in Fairbanks.” Xander was about done with planes and airports. “I’m grabbing my bag, then heading toward the car rental.”

Xander strode along the corridor toward the luggage claim with the rest of his flight’s passengers.

After the Newark mess made him miss his original connection, Xander had been hipping and hopping from airport to airport like a child in an Easter egg hunt, trying to get to Fairbanks.

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