by Robin Kaye
“Hunter, it’s Pat.”
“Can I call you back? It’s a really bad time.”
“It’s not going to get any better. Listen, there’s no easy way to say this. Emilio got busted last night.”
“For what?” Hunter tried to draw a breath, but seemed incapable.
“Drugs. He’s not talking. He must be protecting his buddies. The police are holding him. It’s not looking good. I’m sorry, Hunter.”
“When’s the bond hearing?”
“We’re not sure. The day after tomorrow maybe.”
The image of Emilio behind bars danced before his eyes.
“Let me know. I’ll be there.”
“Hunter, that’s not necessary.”
“If Emilio was here, if I’d spent more time with him, he wouldn’t be in jail now. My presence at the bond hearing is necessary. Just let me know the details. And Pat, tell his mother… Milana… tell her I’m sorry.” Hunter barely choked that out. His throat felt as if someone had him in a headlock. He’d promised Emilio’s mother he’d look after him. He’d screwed that up too.
“You did the best you could. Milana knows that. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
The hell he didn’t. He was too controlling, too stubborn, and too damn proud to ask for help, and Emilio paid the price. “Just tell her, okay.”
“Sure. I’ll call you when I have more information. And Hunter?”
“What?”
“Take care of yourself. There’s only so much you can give before it starts taking you down. You did all the right things. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you can’t save them.”
“I should have kept Emilio with me. I should have made it happen. If he were here, he’d be safe.”
“Emilio should have been at the shelter with his mother and little brother. You didn’t put the drugs in his pocket, nor are you responsible for him being out on the streets after curfew. He’s going to pay the price, Hunter. You can’t.”
“I gotta go, Pat. Bye.” Hunter ended the call, tossing his phone on the table as if it were a poisonous snake, and stared into space. Emilio was in jail, Toni was gone, and Hunter was responsible for both.
***
Hunter packed his things and was just about to leave when Trapper, Fisher, and Karma walked in without knocking.
Trapper picked Toni’s boots out of the trash. “Problem, little Brother?”
Karma slugged Trapper then put her arm around Hunter. “What happened? God, you look like you’ve just lost your best friend.”
“I did. Toni’s gone and Emilio—”
She pulled away to look at him. “What about Emilio?”
“He’s in jail. He got picked up for drugs last night.”
“I’m so sorry.” Karma pulled him in tight.
Jail for a kid like Emilio could very well be a death sentence, and they all knew it. Hunter didn’t know who was comforting who. Karma fought a losing battle with her tears. He looked to his brothers to help him out, but they seemed almost as upset as Karma. Fisher, the doctor, the guy who stared death in the eye every day during his residency in Chicago, looked glassy-eyed, and Trapper, well, Hunter couldn’t tell. His hat hid his eyes from view.
“Look, I’ve got to go. I need to talk to James—find out where Toni lives—”
Karma shoved him. “You don’t know where Toni lives?”
“Manhattan’s a big-ass island, Karma. I don’t have her address. I didn’t think I’d need it yet, and her cell was out of service the whole time she was here, so I never bothered to get her number. So yeah, I don’t know where she lives. I just know I have to find her, and then I have to get to LA and see what I can do for Emilio. Maybe I can talk some sense into him. Can you guys finish the shoot for me?”
Trapper cleared his throat. “I thought you had to be here.”
“An owner has to be here, and since we never got around to changing the LLC, the three of you are still technically owners, so we’re golden. I just need to tell Bianca.”
Hunter did a double take when Fisher sneered at the mention of Bianca’s name. Fisher, his happy-go-lucky brother, looked about ready to open a can of whoop-ass on Bianca.
“What’s your problem?
“Bianca’s the problem. She’s sent Toni home before finishing the job. That’s just not right. She handled every shoot so well. Bianca didn’t need to come out here and screw everything up.”
Hunter, Trapper, and Karma all turned and stared at Fisher.
“Hey, just because I like to have a good time doesn’t mean I didn’t notice how hard Toni worked. I’m not an idiot. I’m a real MD.”
Trapper patted Fisher on the back. “We know you’re not an idiot. Nope, you get paid to play with X-ray machines, stethoscopes, and have women take their clothes off in front of you.”
Karma shook her head. “Who’s the idiot now?”
Both Trapper and Fisher gave him the evil eye. “Hunter.” They said in stereo.
Fisher shrugged. “You let Toni get away.”
“This doesn’t make any sense.” Karma crossed her arms. “Why would Toni just leave like that? Bianca said she was catching the first flight tomorrow. She didn’t even say good-bye to us or you.”
Hunter shook his head and couldn’t meet her eyes.
“What did you do?”
“I fucked up. Okay? Toni found the book I was reading and a deal memo Bianca put together for the camp.” He tossed the memo at Trapper. “I never agreed to it, but I’m sure Toni took one look at that memo and the book and thought the worst.”
Karma rolled her eyes. “Well, you were using the book. Only you would take notes in the margins.” She paged through. “God, I didn’t take this many notes in college.”
“I was just using it to figure out how to get in Toni’s—”
Karma looked up. “Pants?”
Hunter sat back down, completely defeated. “I love her, Karma. I think I have since the first moment I set eyes on her. I saw something special in her eyes, and when she let me in, I discovered a treasure. I just wanted to make sure she felt the same about me.”
Trapper grabbed the book out of Karma’s hands and flipped through the copy.
Fisher dug the other out of the trash. “Damn, I guess it works as long as you don’t get caught.”
Hunter rose, feeling like an old man, and packed his things. He was just stuffing the coffeemaker into its small bag when James came to the door. Hunter tossed his duffel to Trapper along with his keys. “Would you guys make yourself useful and pack my truck while I talk to James?” Karma took the bag with the coffee and coffeemaker—probably to her own cabin knowing her. Fisher grabbed his other bags and gear and headed out.
James looked around the empty cabin. “Where’s Toni?”
“I thought you’d know. When I left for the shoot, she said she’d be here when I got back. She wasn’t.”
“I know Bianca wants her back in New York, but I thought she wasn’t leaving until tomorrow.”
“I guess we were both wrong.”
“She wouldn’t leave without saying good-bye. Did something happen between the two of you?”
Hunter really wasn’t up for going into that—besides, he’d lied. As nice as James was, he was very protective of Toni.
“James, you gotta help me out. I have to find her. I need to make sure she’s okay. Where does she live?”
James crossed his arms and glared at Hunter. Gone was the nice easygoing guy he’d gotten to like. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“What happened is between me and Toni. I love her. I just need to find her and explain.”
Hunter stared back at James, who seemed to be taking his measure. Finally the man relaxed, and Hunter breathed a sigh of relief. He been waiting
for James to slug him—not that he didn’t deserve it. After seeing the disappointed look on James’s face, Hunter would have preferred a punch.
“I can’t give you her address without her permission. I’m sorry, but that’s rule number two in best friend etiquette. I’d be happy to contact her and ask if I can. But that’s about all I can do other than put in a good word with her—not that you deserve it.”
Hunter nodded and rubbed his eyes. He had a mountain of a headache and had a feeling it was only going to get worse. He ripped a piece of paper off the deal memo and wrote down all his contact information. “Would you call me when you talk to her? I’m worried sick. I know I fucked up, but she promised she’d hear me out.”
James folded the paper and put it in his wallet. “I know she loves you. I don’t pretend to know what the problem is, but I’ll fill you in on one very important thing.”
“What’s that?”
“If you hurt her again, I’ll do my best to kick your ass from here to New York and back. I like you, but Toni’s like a daughter to me. I love her.”
“You and me both, but I can’t fix it if I can’t find her.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Just remember what I said.”
“I will. Trapper, Fisher, and Karma are taking over for me on the job. It’s been good knowing you.”
James clasped his hand and gave him a guy hug. “Good luck.”
Hunter grabbed his phone and dialed as he walked toward the truck.
“Joe Walsh.”
“Gramps, it’s Hunter. I need help.”
“What’s going on, boy?”
“Toni’s gone. I need to borrow a jet, and I need it in two hours.”
“Now, slow down, son. Where’s Toni?”
Hunter grabbed the keys from Trapper, jumped in the Land Cruiser, and started the engine. “I don’t know, probably on a plane to New York by now. I screwed up, Gramps. I gotta find her.”
“What in the hell did you do?”
“It’s a long story. I promise to tell you the whole thing if you send me your fastest jet. I’m worried about her.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “And Gramps, Emilio’s in jail. The bond hearing is in a day or two, so I’ve got to go out to LA and see if I can talk to him. I have to do something, but the fact is I’ve lost him. I can’t lose Toni too.”
“Aw hell. I’m sorry about Emilio, but you can’t count the kid out yet. You just need to stand behind him and make things right with Toni. I’ll have my pilots meet you at Friedman Memorial. And Hunter…”
“Yeah, Gramps?”
“I love ya, son.”
“Love you too. I don’t suppose you know anyone who would be able to tell you what flight Antonia Russo took out of Hailey, would you?”
“I just might. I’ll call you back.”
***
Toni watched the clock tick, wishing she could turn back time and avoid the last week of her life. She was numb, empty, humiliated, and alone. She snapped her collar and cuffs back on before pulling her hoodie around her, shivering in the air-conditioned terminal. Every time she reached for her collar she thought of Hunter—the lies, Bianca and Hunter kissing, and the way she’d faded to near invisibility. “That Time of Year” blared from her cell phone. She jumped and reached for it. “Hello?”
“Toni, thank God I caught you.”
“James.” Tears welled up in her eyes, like someone turned on a faucet. They ran down her face as pain slapped her and cut through the sea of numbness she’d floated in. It was as if someone dropped a live wire in the water, shocking, painful. It stole her breath. She sobbed and covered her mouth, trying desperately to keep another sound from escaping.
“Hunter’s worried sick. He’s coming after you.”
“Oh, God. Did he leave the inn? When?”
“No, not yet. Toni, he looks like hell. He thinks you’re long gone.” A boarding announcement filled the air, and she clasped her hand over the phone. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell him you’re still at the airport, doll, unless you want me to. When’s your flight?”
She let out a shaky breath, trying not to cry. “3:09 p.m.”
“He’s asked me for your address and number.”
“No, don’t give it to him. I don’t want to see him. Please, promise me?”
“Honey, what happened?”
“I can’t—” She drew in a stuttered breath. “I’ve got to go, James. Just please, don’t give anyone my address or number.”
“Toni, honey, why not? I thought you loved him. Why are you running away?”
“James.” God, she was losing it. “I can’t do this. I gotta go.” She closed her phone and turned the damn thing off. If it were up to her, she’d never talk to another human being again. Maybe when she got home she’d get a pet. No cats—they’d just ignore her, and she’d been ignored enough for one lifetime. A dog? No, she’d have to take it out and pick up poop. Gross. Maybe she’d get a turtle—a creature with as anemic a life as her own.
***
Hunter drove like a madman. Parking in front of the airport, he bought a ticket to somewhere, anywhere, praying he’d be able to find Toni on the other side of security. A woman fitting her description had taken off less than an hour before, to Salt Lake, which meant she’d probably be getting into Kennedy around 11:30 p.m.
Hunter left to cool his heels in the hangar waiting for Gramps’s Gulfstream to arrive. He drank bad coffee, cracked his knuckles, and cursed his own stupidity. His only hope was beating Toni to New York and meeting her at the airport. If that didn’t transpire, he could watch her office. At least he knew where that was. Of course, that didn’t mean she’d actually see him.
When the plane arrived, he grabbed his duffel and ran for the tarmac. He’d have to buy clothes tomorrow. After all, he couldn’t walk around New York looking like a mountain man. He climbed up the steps of the Gulfstream, handed his bag to the flight attendant, and cursed when he saw Grampa Joe talking to the pilot.
The old man smiled. “I thought since I was payin’ for the ride, I might as well enjoy it. Sit down, and tell me what the hell happened.”
Hunter took the shot of whiskey Gramps offered and downed it, passing it back for a refill. “I love her, Gramps.”
“Ah hell, I knew that the minute I saw the way you looked at her. What did you do that got her knickers in a twist?”
“What’s it matter? She’s gone, and her friend James wouldn’t give me her address or number. She thinks I lied to her.”
“Did you?”
“Yeah, but—”
“No buts about it son, never lie to a woman. They always find out the truth eventually. Didn’t I teach you anything?”
“I’m a slow learner, remember?”
“The hell you are. You’re just stubborn and ornery—same as your mama. Everyone always said you’re like your daddy, but I never saw it. You’re your mama’s boy through and through.”
“No, I’m not. My father was the one who was always too busy to be there when Mom needed him. I just did the same thing with Toni. I was too busy to tell her the truth. It wasn’t something I could explain in under two minutes, so I lied. Just like my dad.”
“Your daddy didn’t lie. He just never grew up. He never realized that when a man has a family his responsibility to his wife and kids comes before going huntin’ and fishin’ with his friends. You don’t have that problem. You’re the most responsible person I know. Just look at what you do with those kids you bring out.”
“Yeah, I’m just great. That’s why Emilio is cooling his heels in the county jail.”
“Son, you’re not God. You can’t control everything, and certainly not a troubled teenage boy. The only things you can control are your own actions.”
Gramps poured them each another shot of whiskey as
they taxied to the runway. “Buckle up, boy. I have a feeling it’s gonna be a bumpy ride, and I’m not just talking about the flight.”
Hunter downed the shot and then buckled his seat belt, wishing he could relive the day and do everything differently. He should have told Toni about Bianca’s offer, the kiss, everything.
Gramps patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about Emilio. We’ll see what we can do for him. Hell, I’ll have someone out there first thing in the morning to pay his bond if that’s what you want. Trapper can make a few phone calls and get one of his friends to represent him, and you can fly back to LA after you’ve straightened things out with Toni.”
If he could straighten things out with Toni. If he could find her. If she gave him another chance.
The jet took off, the G-force pushing Hunter back in his seat as it climbed rapidly over the mountains surrounding the Wood River Valley. After a few minutes of climbing, the pilot announced they could move around the cabin.
Gramps took the opportunity to pour more shots. “I nearly fell out of my chair when you called. I think that’s the first time you asked me for help since you learned how to tie your shoes. Now come on. Let’s put our heads together and come up with a way to lasso that little filly of yours.”
***
Toni’s plane was rerouted to avoid nasty summer thunderstorms. She pulled her seat belt tighter and bounced around in the tin can with two hundred other souls wondering if she’d ever had a worse day. There was that time in the Pine Barrens when she was lost and alone, but the sense of disorientation and complete and utter isolation she experienced now was eerily similar.
The plane finally landed at JFK, four hours later than scheduled due to an emergency stop at Chicago O’Hare. She grabbed her luggage, hailed a cab, and crossed the Triborough Bridge, praying for some semblance of the sangfroid that had eluded her since her conversation with James.
As the east side of Manhattan came into view, the familiar streets, the scents and sounds of her home, did nothing but make her feel like the same ant on a larger anthill. Nothing had changed. She was alone, lost, and not sure of what direction to take. She sat still in the back of the cab and listened to her iPod as Robert Downey Jr. sang “Smile.” The energy of the city washed over, around, and through her, but failed to take with it the despair that engulfed her soul.