by Diane Capri
“Have any students actually died from this Super Adderall drug?”
Ruby hesitated again. Jordan needed to keep her talking and the best way she could think of to do it was to try to show solidarity with Ruby’s dilemma. “I won’t quote you anywhere. But I can’t help you unless I know what to look for.”
She gnawed on her lip and seemed to consider the point for a bit. “No deaths at Plant U, thank goodness. I’ve heard about two deaths, though. One in Central Florida, one in Massachusetts.”
Amy gasped.
Ruby nodded and said, “There are probably others. What we need is to shut down the suppliers. Until we do that, the drug will be passed around and students will OD.”
“What about regular Adderall? Doesn’t anyone just stick to the FDA-approved drug anymore?” Amy had found her voice again.
“It’s a little harder to come by since someone has to get a prescription for it. And it’s more expensive. College kids are poor. Or they want to spend their money on something more sexy.”
Amy said, “Feeling like crap and dying doesn’t seem all that sexy to me.”
Ruby shook her head again and a weak smile barely lifted her lips. “Like I said, this weird knockoff seems to produce results, too, where Adderall just helps them try harder. Overall GPAs have risen more than normal over the past year since the knockoff came on the scene. Adderall never did that.”
The theater lights dimmed and the curtain rose, putting a stop to their conversation.
Jordan had a lot to think about. The knockoff drug could be a compelling story. Compelling enough to give her a boost in the competition with Drew, for sure. Maybe compelling enough to skip Jacksonville for, if she could get the pitch together in time. But she’d need another source.
She was a long way from being able to pitch Super Adderall as a story to replace the Instant Pop Star assignment—she had nothing good enough on Dominique, and she hadn’t confirmed that athletes were using Super Adderall. Neither one of those things would happen in the next twenty-four hours.
She’d have to come up with something else. And soon.
CHAPTER 10
The dazzling display of storytelling, emotion, and harmony on stage pushed the Super Adderall story from Jordan’s mind. Dominique Wren made her entrance a few minutes into the show and stole every scene. How incredibly talented she was. She should win the whole Instant Pop Star competition, just like Jordan’s dad had said. Dominique was that good.
Of course, one of the things Jordan hated about the show was that the most talented singer rarely won because Instant Pop Star wasn’t about the best singer as much as it was about popularity.
As the lights came up to signal intermission, Ruby pulled her phone out and glanced at it.
“We have a new nurse at the clinic.” Ruby fumbled with her phone. “It’s her first week.” Ruby clicked open the text message and read it quickly. “A student is convulsing. It’s that drug, I’m telling you. I’ve gotta go. I can’t let the new nurse deal with this alone.” Ruby hastily texted back, and collected her sweater and her purse. “I told her to call the paramedics and get the student to Tampa Southern Hospital. But I need to be there.” She stood up and brushed her skirt into place. “Thanks for inviting me. It was very nice to meet you, Jordan. I loved the performance and I’m sorry I’ve got to go.”
She kissed her hand and patted the top of Amy’s head, did the same to Jordan, and rushed off to save another student from the dangers of mounting academic pressure. If she didn’t arrive too late.
Jordan stood up to stretch. “You’re right. Ruby is terrific. I really like her. Maybe we can do something with her another time.”
Amy’s eyes twinkled and she flashed a bright smile. “Told you so.”
But Jordan wasn’t in the mood to laugh off Ruby’s abrupt departure. “Do you think she’ll be okay? Should we go help her?”
“She’s a pro, and she called for more professional help. We’d slow her down and be in the way if we went after her,” Amy replied.
The intermission was over and the lights dimmed again. Amy’s words didn’t cure Jordan’s uneasiness about Ruby, though. “Let’s call her when the show is over, okay?”
“Absolutely.”
CHAPTER 11
As the curtain closed on the second half, Amy called Ruby, but the call went straight to voice mail. “She must still be tied up with the student. I’ll try again in a bit.”
Jordan’s concern was mixed with excitement now. She wanted to hear that Ruby was at home with her kids after confirming the student was a false alarm. She also wanted to wait at the back stage door to congratulate Dominique on her inspirational performance.
Hundreds of rows of theatergoers slowly, politely exited into the lobby and eventually made their way outside like a school of minnows playing follow the leader. Jordan and Amy were packed into in the glacially moving sea of well-behaved people.
“Let’s push against the tide here.” Jordan pointed toward the side door.
“Works for me. Lead the way.”
Jordan scanned the crowd for an opportunity to move sideways. She saw several people she recognized in the crowd of locals herding her toward the front exits. Then, she spotted Dr. Chelsey Ross moving toward the side doors near the stage entrance, too. Dr. Ross saw Jordan and raised a hand in greeting.
“Who is that waving at you?” Amy asked.
“She’s a friend of the family. A doctor, actually.”
“The one who works at the Plant University clinic with Ruby?”
“No. That’s Dr. Peter Wren, Dominique’s father. This is Dr. Chelsey Ross. She’s an infectious disease specialist.”
“She’d know for sure if the athletes have MRSA, then,” Amy said.
“She would. Let’s see if we can catch up to her and ask.” Jordan pushed a little more aggressively and added an “Excuse me, please” or “Can we get through here?” when needed.
Amy trailed behind as Jordan bobbed and weaved through the crowd to intercept Dr. Ross. They connected outside. A warm smile lifted Dr. Ross’s heavily creased face. She extended her arms.
Jordan walked straight into her hug.
Dr. Ross held her tightly for a few moments. Though her hair was gray, her spirit was ageless. “It’s so good to see you, dear. I’ve missed you,” she whispered near Jordan’s ear. “Wasn’t Dominique amazing?” Dr. Ross beamed like a proud parent when she finally released her hold and after Jordan introduced Amy.
“You know Dominique, then?’ Jordan asked.
“Since she was a child. Sabatier, Haiti, is a very small city. You remember I’ve been traveling to a clinic there on medical missions for years, I’m sure. Dominique is my colleague Peter Wren’s daughter.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “She’s going to win that Instant Pop Star competition, don’t you think? You’re working at Channel 12. Put in a good word for her.”
“I’ll do that.” Jordan seized the perfect segue to the current events on campus. “Dr. Ross, if you don’t mind me asking, I’ve been tracking a story at Plant University and I’m trying to explain the situation. Quite a few of the athletes have been sick lately. Have you heard about that? I heard it might be MRSA.”
Dr. Ross reverently shook her head. “The heart palpitations?” she said in her soft and gentle voice. “The cramps and aggressive behavior?”
Jordan kept her face impassive. She hadn’t heard about the aggressive behavior.
“It’s not MRSA,” Dr. Ross said. “No. This is—well, I don’t want to speculate.”
She ruled out MRSA just as decisively as Ruby had. “Do you think it could be some kind of drug abuse? Have you heard anything about a synthetic Adderall, like a Super Adderall, going around campus?”
Dr. Ross glanced over her shoulder as if to make sure no one else was listening. “A synthetic Adderall is the rumor in the medical community. I haven’t treated any cases personally, so I’m not sure.”
If she could develop this story before Mil
es did, Jordan could finally get some respect. It might not solve her Instant Pop Star dilemma, but she’d dilute the sugar puff reputation she’d somehow acquired.
“Would you consider sitting down with me for a brief interview about MRSA and drug abuse on campus?” If Jordan could score this interview, she’d have a huge component of a Super Adderall story securely in place.
“When I get back, I’d be happy to help you,” Dr. Ross said, “but I’m busy packing meds and gear tonight. Tomorrow we leave for our mission trip to the clinic in Sabatier for five days. That’s why I didn’t return your call. I’m sorry.”
Jacksonville, here I come.
“So soon?” Jordan said, lowering her gaze to cover her disappointment.
Dr. Ross’s tone brightened a bit. “You know, Jordan, I’m glad I ran into you. We might be able to help each other.”
“What do you mean?” Jordan blinked away the moisture clouding her vision and turned her gaze to Dr. Ross’s kind brown eyes.
“We just lost one of the women scheduled for the trip to Sabatier. She discovered last week that she’s pregnant. She’s a photographer. She was planning to make a documentary of the trip.” Her words picked up speed. “Why don’t you take over her role? We could use some visibility and support for our mission. You wouldn’t have to make a documentary film. But any coverage we can get on Channel 12 can only help us. And I’m sure we could find an hour or so for you to conduct your interview on the Super Adderall problem.”
Jordan’s mouth formed an open oval. She saw opportunity here. For adventure, sure. But even better, journalistic experience that Drew Hodges couldn’t match. “I’m supposed to work…” Her response was optimistic and honest at the same time. “But I can call my boss at home tonight and ask for a field assignment.”
Her pulse quickened and her excitement grew. She could pitch this as a perfect replacement for Instant Pop Star. Instead of Jacksonville, she’d take a multi-day trip to Haiti. Definitely more newsworthy, especially if she could think of a medical angle to focus on that would have a connection to the Tampa area.
Jordan started formulating a cohesive pitch for the call to Richard as soon as possible.
Her voice sounded a little breathless in her own ears when she said, “I’d love to do this, if I can get authorization, Dr. Ross. I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”
“Let me know as soon as you can. I’ve got paperwork I’m required to submit for you. You’ll need vaccines, too, and I’ll take care of that. But you’d be perfect for this, Jordan. It’s a terrific opportunity for you.” Dr. Ross gave Jordan’s arm a quick squeeze. “And while you’re in Sabatier, you can collect material to do a story on Dominique when she wins that Instant Pop Star contest, right?”
Jordan blinked. “How did you know I’m looking at Dominique for an Instant Pop Star feature?”
“She told me.” Dr. Ross laughed. “That’s why I was watching out for you here tonight. You didn’t think meeting me here was a total coincidence, did you? Don’t tell Dominique I mentioned it though. She’d be mortified.”
“I need a bit more before I can feature Dominique. I’ve got some ideas, though. Maybe you can help me with those, too.”
Dr. Ross frowned. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.” She leaned in for one more hug before she dashed off to rejoin her group.
Jordan wanted to rush out and get started on her pitch right that second, but the assignment she actually had been given came first. “Let’s hurry, Amy. If we run to the stage door now, we can meet Dominique before she slips out. And then I need to get home to call my boss.”
Jordan and Amy hurried around the back of the building to a door labeled Stage Entrance. Friends and family members of the student performers crowded the area holding flowers. Jordan studied the group, seeking Dominique’s father, but she didn’t see the man she’d found pictured in the news articles. Jordan fidgeted with her program. If Dominique didn’t come out soon, she’d leave without seeing her. Dominique would be here in six days when Jordan returned from Haiti, but she had to get Richard’s permission tonight.
Finally, the stage door opened. Two men in jeans, t-shirts, and eyeliner emerged, followed closely by Dominique. Classmates hugged her and handed her flowers. Jordan and Amy waited a few steps beyond, visible but not intrusive until the celebration waned a bit. Jordan stepped forward and smiled in Dominique’s direction. They made eye contact, and Jordan reached out with both arms. “Dominique, you were fantastic. I’m Jordan Fox. This is my friend Amy.”
“Thank you so much for coming,” Dominique said, a wide smile lighting up her face. She glowed from the inside out.
“My pleasure. You were really incredible. You should go to the auditions for Instant Pop Star, for sure.”
Dominique bowed her head, shyly. “Thank you. That’s very kind. I want to go, but I would have to miss school.”
“Surely you can get permission and make up the work somehow, can’t you?”
“I’m hoping,” she replied.
“I was thinking we could grab coffee tonight and talk about doing a possible news story.”
“That would be great.”
“—but something’s come up at work.” Jordan didn’t mention Sabatier because Dr. Ross had asked her not to mention it. “Can we meet another time?”
“Of course. I’m thrilled for the chance.” Dominique pulled a small white card out of her pocket with her name and contact information printed on it. “Thanks so much for coming, Jordan Fox.” Her friends rushed up and consumed her attention then, as if the move was as tightly choreographed as tonight’s performance.
Jordan linked arms with Amy. “Can we put a rush on getting me home?” Jordan said quietly. “I want this Haiti trip, bad.”
“Let’s go.” Amy picked up her pace. “But if you ask me, Instant Pop Star auditions in Jacksonville sounds a lot better than a medical mission trip to Haiti. Forget MRSA. Think of all the diseases you could get there.”
“Either way, I’ll be out of town for a few days. Any chance you can stay at my house in case my dad needs something? I don’t feel comfortable leaving him alone.” He didn’t need around-the-clock care, but someone to make his meals and be there in case of emergency was still a requirement.
“I’d be glad to do it. You know I love Nelson. He’s adorable. No trouble at all.” Amy grinned. “Unless you want to take me with you to Jacksonville.”
Jordan flashed off a mock groan. “Am I the only person on the planet sane enough to hate that stupid show?”
“Yep.”
They scurried along through the downtown streets and back to Plant University where Amy’s car was parked.
Jordan’s watch read 10:40 p.m. Richard always stayed up to watch the 11 o’clock news. If she hurried, she could make it home and call as soon as the news ended at 11:33. She’d call him now, but she’d failed to store his cell number in her phone. It was in her paperwork at home.
Jordan unlinked arms with Amy when she felt her phone buzz. It was a text from Patricia: We need to shift the schedule. Can you be ready to go to Instant Pop Star auditions in Jacksonville tomorrow morning?
Jordan stuffed her phone back into her pocket without replying. Either Richard agreed to her Haiti proposal tonight, or she’d be shipped off to Jacksonville before she had a second chance.
“What’s that text about?” Amy asked.
“You’ve got your pajamas in the car, right?”
CHAPTER 12
Jordan and Amy quick stepped over the bridge above the Hills River, which separated downtown Tampa from not-downtown Tampa. Jordan heard and then saw a speedboat racing up the river like it was being chased.
“What’s that jerk doing?” Amy said. “There’s no lights out there. He could run smack into something and kill himself.”
“Never a cop around when you need one.”
They reached the west side of the bridge and approached the campus parking lot, which faced the river. The boat sped up on a collision cour
se with the landing near the park. But the driver cut speed at the last second and propelled silently to the dock. The driver leaned over the side of the boat, grabbed onto the dock and tied up. The moves were so perfect that he must have done them dozens of times before in exactly the same way.
He hopped onto the bow of the boat, waved, and shouted to a group of guys standing around in the parking lot near where Amy’s car was parked. “Second round of beer’s here, boys! Come ’n get it.”
The street lamp illuminated not only Amy’s car, but what was now the group’s personal play area. Jordan saw about fifteen guys and maybe five parked trucks, beds open, coolers and beer bottles placed about, tailgating and completely blocking Amy’s car in.
Jordan recognized Power Paxton as she and Amy arrived at her car. “Is that the soccer team?”
“Would you guys mind moving?” Amy politely asked the guys in the bed of the truck parked immediately behind her. “We’re in a bit of a hurry.”
Jordan remembered that Amy had started her career in social work by counseling teenagers a lot like these guys. That experience failed her. The guys glanced at her, then completely ignored her request.
“Excuse me? Would you mind moving?” Amy said, more forcefully this time, but the result was the same.
“I think we can squeeze out if you all would move this one truck.” Jordan pointed toward one red Ford that was particularly in the way.
No response.
“Here, I’ll grab this cooler,” Jordan said, rolling it aside.
That elicited a reaction.
“Hey! Get your paws off our beer!” One guy yelled, jumping down from the truck bed. Jordan took a step back, into Amy’s parking spot. A couple other guys laughed.
The driver of the speedboat chimed in from all the way down by the river. “Don’t let them out, guys! Couple of babes!” He cackled. The guys guzzling in the truck bed echoed his hostile laughter.