What next? Picking up his cell phone, Joe dialed Nick’s number.
“Hello?” Mona answered.
“This is Dr. McNally,” he said out of habit. “I’m trying to get there but my gas tank’s empty and I just heard that most stations are closed. How’s Rob?”
“Still bleeding, but it’s slowed down a little.”
Deep water on the road almost caused the car to hydroplane. “Okay. Keep doing what you can. I don’t know if I can be of any help, but I’ll get there as soon — ”
The phone clicked off.
In water that came high on his hubcaps, Joe slowed down and tried to make it through. His radio told him that the storm would probably hit in the next few hours. Joe discovered that wouldn’t interfere with his reaching Nick’s house because something else did so first. His car spluttered, then flooded out completely. He could not make it move.
Back at Dr. Romano’s, Rob sat in a chair holding a blood-soaked towel tightly against his mouth. He was extremely pale and almost unconscious. With tears running down both cheeks, Mona had her hand in Rob’s free hand. Dr. Romano prepared a shot to clot the blood and hopefully stop the bleeding.
“Rob,” Mona said. “We’ve tried, but nine-one-one has stopped taking calls. I’m sorry. I think the bleeding has slowed down a little. Doc’s getting you a shot and McNally should be here soon. The storm’s worse, though, and we’re going to have to move into the hall. I’m scared.”
Doc just managed to give Rob the shot before the lights went out. He brought in an oil lamp and a huge flashlight along with candles. They managed to get Rob into the hall and laid him on some thick sofa cushions. They sat down beside him.
Outside, shutters flapped in the wind and trees blew to and fro. The thunder and lightning subsided, but the howling of the wind was endless. For over an hour, it continued. Mona sat there shivering and Rob dozed, probably the effects of a sedative the doctor had given him earlier. They heard a loud snap.
“There goes the pine tree in the front yard,” said the doctor, who’d been through hurricanes as recently as the year before. He didn’t even get up to take a look. It was the least of his worries. “McNally’s not going to make it.”
Mona took one towel off of Rob’s mouth and had another ready to put on it. “Look,” she said to Doc, “I think the bleeding’s stopped.”
She was right. The blood on the towel had almost dried and no more oozed out of his mouth. Just then, though, they heard a loud crash. Doc did get up this time. He went to the living room to see water pouring in through the roof where a red oak had smashed through.
Mona stood at the exit from the hall and exclaimed, “Good Lord, what are we going to do now?”
She felt relieved that when the whole house shook — maybe an even worse vibration than when she dropped it — it didn’t result in the explosion of the implant object that was still in her purse. Mona bemoaned the fact that she hadn’t disposed of it, even at a lot of risk to others.
She gritted her teeth. Everything was going wrong. It was a desolate feeling to know that the living room at least was soon going to be flooded and there was nothing they could do about it, nor was there anyone they could call for help.
Romano rose to the occasion. “Come on,” he said with urgency. “Grab Rob’s arm and I’ll get the other one. We’ve got to get upstairs while we can.”
With much effort, they dragged Rob upstairs one step at a time. He never awakened, and Mona feared that he had lost so much blood that he was unconscious. When they got him to the top and into a bedroom on the back side of the house, Doc took his pulse.
“He’ll be right. Don’t worry.”
But Mona was worried. How long was this storm going to last? They couldn’t possibly get any help until after it subsided, maybe not even then. If Rob needed blood and couldn’t get it, would he die? Oh, God, this was terrible.
She and Doc managed to get Rob on a bed, then Doc went to another room and got blankets and pillows. Mona thought about the capsule had not been as shock sensitive as she thought. However, even though the tree’s falling hadn’t caused it to explode, if another fell, they might not be so lucky. To protect it as best she could, she found a couple of extra pillows, put the vial between them, and hoped for the best.
The wind continued to whistle, but no more trees fell. In less than an hour, the horrible sounds of a hurricane ceased to be. The power was still out, and neither the house phone nor the cells phones worked. Doc stayed close to Rob and kept piling on blankets, which Mona knew was to help prevent Rob from going into shock. He also checked his patient’s pulse at regular intervals. Mona tried to sleep, but she couldn’t close her eyes; she just lay there watching the dim candlelight flickering against the wall and praying that all would be well.
Elsewhere, Dr. Joe McNally had prayed his way through the storm in his car. His biggest fear was that it would float away into the Gulf of Mexico. It moved down the road quite a way, but a tree finally blocked its path and except for rocking, it remained in place.
When the storm had done its worst and Joe felt it was safe, he got out of the car and waded back to the hotel, not knowing what he’d find. Its roof might have blown away for all he knew. Since it was close, much closer than he thought, he made it back in about twenty minutes.
His own cell phone was wet and, as he’d expected, no clerk was on duty at the desk. The phone there didn’t work, either. When Joe tried it, he got no dial tone. Navarre Beach Hotel was a ghost town. Maybe he could find Dees and use his phone. He could also tell him the rest of that bizarre story. Maybe he’d even get some info on what the real deal was on the space ship sightings.
The power was on, so McNally had no trouble checking the lobby, the solarium, and even the inside and outside pools, but Dees was nowhere around. Evidently, he’d risked it and returned to Mobile. McNally was too tired to look any farther. Being too keyed up to sleep, he went to the upstairs lounge. Surprisingly, a bartender was on duty there, and loud country music played old Jimmy Buffett songs.
“Say,” Joe asked above the chords of “Margueritaville,” “how’d you manage to keep electricity?”
“Got a generator. What’ll you have?”
“A double bourbon and water. Keep ’em coming. I’ve had a rough night.”
“We all have,” said the barkeep. The name “Jimbo” was embroidered on his shirt pocket. He brushed Rob’s sleeve as he placed the drink in front of him. “Say, you’re all wet.”
“Yeah. My car flooded out. I walked back in deep water and it was still drizzling.”
“Man, you’re lucky to be alive. Are you staying here?” When Joe nodded, Jimbo suggested, “Maybe you ought to go to your room and get on some dry clothes.”
Rob looked at his pants’ legs. “I guess I should. I will after a couple of drinks. By the way, I’m a doctor,” he added, deliberately not saying dentist, “and I need to check on a patient. It’s a serious case. Are any of your phones working?”
“Nope. We’re just lucky to have power. Not even cell phones are working. I tried mine — towers must be damaged or down. Sorry,” he wiped off the damp bar. “Can’t help you there. No telling how long they’ll be out either.”
Dejected, Joe sat there glassy-eyed and gulped down two drinks. Neither he nor the bartender said another word until Joe asked, “What’s the damage?” paid the bill along with a generous tip, and left. By the time he reached his room, he was ready for a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.
The next morning, Joe McNally was up and packed to leave by eight a.m. He felt that he couldn’t stay at Navarre another minute. Some vacation — all work and no play. However, if he could find a working phone, before he left, he’d call Nick and check on Rob. He pulled out his cell phone first. No signal. Just as he reached for the bedside phone, it rang. Nick had beaten him to it.
When Joe answered, Nick sounded relieved. “It’s good to hear your voice, Joe. How you make it through the storm?”
Not fee
ling like going into a long diatribe about his ordeal, Joe replied, “Well, I got stuck on the way just a couple of blocks from here, but after things settled down, I was able to walk back to the hotel.” By the tone of Nick’s voice, McNally could tell that there were no hard feelings. “How did you folks do? Did you manage to stop Rob’s bleeding?”
“Yes, thank God. The patient’s doing fine. He should be okay now. Er, look, I had a long last night to think this over. You get kind of serious when a tree crashes through your roof. We had to go upstairs to get out of the water. Had a lot of time to think up there. Anyhow, I, er, well, I understand why you don’t believe all this. If I hadn’t seen something myself, I’d probably feel the same way you do — skeptical. Just thought I’d let you know that. Oh, wait a minute, Rob wants to talk to you.”
“Dr. McNally, I didn’t mean to seem ungrateful. I really appreciate all you did for me. You saved my life. And I know that you did it even though you didn’t believe our story. Thanks.”
“Well, I have to admit that I’ve never been in that position before, Rob. But since I was put there, I felt like that was my job.” It was all that the doctor said.
Rob was somewhat disappointed. He’d hoped for a little more, maybe a small indication of belief, but there was none. If the doctor had any doubts of his own judgment, he wasn’t revealing them. That didn’t lessen Rob’s gratitude. He owed his life to Dr. McNally’s skill.
Though she feared it was a bit risky, Mona took the phone. “Doctor, you probably saved all of our lives. Dr. Romano has your e-mail address. I’ll get it and send you mine. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, please let us know. I mean that.” She kept it short.
Joe thanked Mona and asked to say goodbye to his friend. “Hope you can get your house repaired soon, my old friend. Get busy working again, Nick. It’s good for you. Keeps your life interesting.” He reserved the thought, and maybe it’ll keep you on the wagon.
Perhaps Nick was through being an alcoholic. Maybe this incident had fulfilled a purpose after all. He hoped it had done some good; it had definitely done some bad. Between attending to Rob Parker and Hurricane Dennis, his vacation had been spoiled.
After the conversation with Dr. McNally, Mona made her way into the undamaged kitchen, found a box of pancake mix and whipped some up with a wisk, grateful that they had a gas stove As she stirred the batter, she schemed how to get Rob alone so that she could tell him she had that capsule. But an opportunity didn’t present itself. While she and Doc ate several pancakes each, Rob, afraid to chew, drank a glass of milk for breakfast. He was starved but thought it was better to go hungry than to risk a repeat of last night’s frightening performance. He could survive on a liquid diet until he was sure the bleeding would not start up again.
Seeing the longing for food in his eyes, Mona promised, “I’ll fix you a big steak and potatoes tonight, Rob. You should be able to eat by that time.”
Nick nodded. He had some in the freezer and pulled them out to defrost. He didn’t mind that Mona hadn’t consulted him. On the contrary, he was glad that she felt enough at home not to feel obligated to ask permission first. It amazed him how fast friendships and strong bonds formed in the few days of trauma that knitted this trio of strangers together.
However, while they sat like one happy family enjoying a meal together, Mona had sentimental thoughts of her own. She was saddened by the knowledge that soon it would all end. A decision would have to be made. Although she hoped that she and Rob would stay together, Dr. Romano would remain in Pensacola. Even if they kept in touch, the familiarity of this moment and the knot that tied them together would be loosened. Most likely, it would come completely untied. Things would never be the same again.
Mona stared at the steak on her fork but didn’t lift it to her mouth. “You know, Rob,” she said, “here we are, safe and sound, enjoying good food. I can’t help but think about the Svarians and the Aliens. I wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t been destroyed. Maybe they’d be here and we’d be blown to pieces.”
With a chuckle, Rob replied. “If they were, they wouldn’t appreciate our food. They’re so used to a diet of pills that this probably wouldn’t appeal to them at all.”
Mona looked at him. “You’re right. Anyhow, I don’t feel sorry for the Aliens. Their motivation was all wrong. It was selfish. They deserved to die.” Her eyes glistened with tears. “But, how I wish that Eric could have survived! He was so altruistic. Look what he could have done for humanity.”
Rob placed his hand over hers. “Don’t worry, Mona. God has his ways. Someday he’ll send someone to finish the job.”
Mona cut her eyes in his direction. She didn’t nod, nor did she ask the question in her mind: But when and where will that happen?
Chapter 14
WHEN FRANK DEES ANSWERED his cell phone, he would never have guessed the news the call brought. One of his young reporters called Loren Brady to tell him that the apartment manager of the complex where Mona lived had called The Times. The manager said that Mona’s dog, Pep, had returned to her apartment. Mr. Swift, the newspaper carrier, discovered the dog waiting on the doorstep and alerted the manager to its presence. The pup was bedraggled and skinny and looked as if he’d been traveling for a couple of days. That told Frank one thing: Pep must have been with Mona and they got separated somehow.
Frank decided to return to Mobile to check it out. He’d ridden out the storm in Navarre Beach hotel, but he wanted to see about his house and how things were at the paper. There was really nothing more he could do for his nephew. Plans would be disrupted anyway. They’d just have to make new ones. Maybe have a memorial service at the gravesite. Things could wait. Right now, he just wanted to get home.
On the drive back, Frank speculated about what Pep’s return meant. He was a smart little dog, probably smart enough to find his way home no matter how far it was. That wasn’t unreasonable; dogs had been known to do that even when they had to travel across county.
But as Frank considered the matter fully, he thought about how much time had passed since Mona was first missing. Pep got some food somehow or he wouldn’t be alive. If Mona was with him, she’d have fed him. Why would he leave her side? If Mona wasn’t around, maybe Pep could have been tied up somewhere and later turned loose or perhaps broken loose from his bonds. So many possibilities and no certainties. And nobody to ask except the dog, who couldn’t talk.
Brady was waiting in Dees’s office when he arrived. As he expected, the editor came directly to the paper to talk to him first. But Loren said he’d already told all that he knew: the dog was at Mona’s apartment and that was it. When Frank walked in the door, Loren said, “I don’t know anything more than what I’ve already said. I’m still willing to help. If you want me to, I’ll go to her apartment with you and we’ll see what we can find out.”
When the two men arrived, the apartment manager was friendly, but he couldn’t add much. He pulled on his pencil thin moustache and said, “All I know is that early this morning when Mr. Swift delivered the newspaper, he saw Pep scratching at Mona’s door. When she didn’t let him in, he began to run up and down the hall barking. That’s when they called me. Before five a.m. Don’t mind waking me up,” the old man grumbled at the complaints of his occupants. “But,” he added with a twinkle in his eye, “I was kinda glad to see Pep. Kept him for Mona once when she had to go out of town on assignment. Good little pup.” With a shrug, he said, “I didn’t know what to do, so I let Pep in her apartment. He’s still there.”
Dees reassured him that it was all right. “After all, he does belong to Mona, and she rents the apartment. Say,” he added in using an excuse to get inside, “if you want to give us the key, we’ll let him out to do his business. We’ll watch him.”
He did. With a promise to let the dog back in and return the key, Brady and Dees went to the apartment key in hand, courtesy of the manager with no questions asked. On the way, Frank told Loren all that he knew about what was going on
.
Except for Pep’s presence, everything was the same as before. Pep came over to Dees wagging his tail. Loren reached over and petted him.
“Good dog,” he said. To Frank, he added, “He’s just as thin as the manager said. We’ll have to find him some dog food.”
“Look.” Frank pointed to two bowls on the floor by the sink. One was empty, but the other had the last remains of hardened dog food encircling its rim. “The manager must have given him some water and food, so there’s got to be more around.” He opened a cabinet door and looked inside. “Here it is.”
He pulled out a bag and dumped the rest of its contents in one bowl and refilled the other with tap water. Pep lit into it ravenously.
“It’s a good thing we came,” Loren said. “Evidently, the manager didn’t give Pep enough to eat. He needs to make up for lost time.”
After he gobbled down his food, Pep jumped up on Frank; next, he went to Loren, bouncing gleefully around until he found a leash and took him outside. When he came back, Pep settled down. Frank removed his leash, and let him follow them as he escorted Loren through each room of the apartment.
“Frank,” Loren said with conviction, “it seems to me that we have a girl here who loves her dog. Plus that, she’s neat, well-organized, and from this list of things to do, she’s dependable.” He held up a pad with dates and times of appointments checked off as they were obviously kept. “You also said she’s a good worker. Yet, without warning, she suddenly left a job she liked, a decent home, and her pet.” He shook his head. “Now I don’t buy it. True, sometimes people do strange things, but even then there’s a reason. People just don’t change without one.”
“Some people would say she went off with Rob. That they fell in love,” Frank said.
“But from what you’ve told me about Mona, and Rob, too, neither of them is the type to just disappear. You also said she had a boyfriend and he’d just ditched her. It’s not likely that she’d take up with another guy so quickly. Besides, it doesn’t explain this,” he pointed to Pep. “No, I’m not convinced that Mona left a dog behind somewhere to starve to death. There’s something very strange going on here.”
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