Chapter 182


    “Thanks, Mom. I’ve got to go.”


    I call Andrea, hoping that she’s back at her desk.


    “Mr. Grey.”


    “Ana’s dad has been in an ident. I’ll need Stephan to fly with me to Pornd in Charlie Tango after


    my meeting. Can you ask Beighley to fly the Gulfstream to Savannah? We’ll need to find a second pilot


    to go with her. And liaise with Taylor—I need him toe with me.”


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.” I hang up. Ros is gathering her papers from her desk. “You’ll have to


    entertain the Hwangs after this meeting. Take them to lunch. I have a table booked at the Four


    Seasons. I’ll have to join Ana.”


    “Of course. I’ll ask Marco to join me.”


    “We’d better head up.”


    Ryan drives Taylor and me to the helipad in downtown Seattle. It was Andrea’s idea that we leave from


    here, rather than Boeing Field, to save time. The meeting with the Hwangs has been a huge sess.


    I’ve acquired a shipyard, and the settlement we’ve reached appears to be satisfactory to all parties, but


    I’ve left Ros and Marco to iron out the details. Ros and I have an invitation to visit the shipyard next


    week, but right now I need to support my wife and find out about my father-inw’s condition.


    As Ryan parks the Audi outside the building, I’m reminded of thest time I used this helipad—to take


    Ana to José’s exhibition in Pornd. All part of my campaign to win her back.


    I allow myself a brief moment of triumph.


    I seeded.


    She’s now my wife.


    Who would have thought, Grey?


    Taylor and I make our way to the elevator, which whisks us up to the rooftop helipad. The doors slide


    open and there she is: Charlie Tango.


    My pride and joy restored to her former glory.


    I left her burnt out and abandoned in a clearing in a wild and deste corner of Gifford National Forest.


    Now she has two new engines, and after a thorough cleanup at Eurocopter, she stands tall and proud,


    gleaming like new in the early afternoon sun. It’s a joy to see her. Stephan climbs out of the cockpit,


    beaming, as we walk toward him. “She’s handling just like she used to, and she’s looking good, too,” he


    says by way of a greeting.


    “I can’t wait to take her up.” In spite of my anxiety about Ana, I can barely contain my excitement to be


    at Charlie Tango’s controls again.


    “Thought you’d say that.” With a grin, he holds the pilot’s door open, then takes the seat beside me


    while Taylor hops into the back. Once I’ve buckled up, I don my headphones and run through my


    preflight checks.


    “Have I forgotten anything?” I ask Stephan.


    “No, sir. Well remembered.”


    I check the rotor rpm then radio the tower.


    “Okay, guys. You ready?”


    “Copy,” Taylor says over his headset, and Stephan gives me a thumbs-up. Gently, I ease back the


    collective, and Charlie Tango rises like a phoenix into the Seattle sunshine. It’s a rush and a relief,


    knowing I’ll be with my wife in just over an hour.


    The flight to Oregon is a wee diversion from my worries about Ana and her dad. Charlie Tango is


    as responsive, smooth, and elegant as she’s always been. Shends with her usual grace on the


    Pornd helipad.


    “You’ll keep her warm?” I ask Stephan.


    “With pleasure, sir.” He’s agreed to stand by for further instructions, as I don’t know when, or if, we’ll be


    heading home today.


    Outside the building, there’s a Suburban waiting for us. The rental agent hands the keys to Taylor, and


    we set off for the hospital. While he drives, I fish out my phone to contact Ana, but there’s a missed call


    and voice mail from my mother. I call Grace, rather than listen to her message, but she doesn’t pick up.


    Hell. I hang up and listen to her voice mail. Her tone is crisp and concise, her doctor’s voice. “Christian,


    I don’t have much information on your father-inw. I know he’s in the OR and has been there for some


    time. He’s in serious condition. We’ll find out more when they’re finished with him. I don’t have a time


    yet. If you’re at the hospital, call me.”


    I scowl at my phone. My mother’s message is disturbing; serious does not sound good. “Taylor, we


    may have to stay overnight. Can you pick up some essentials for Ana and me?”


    “Toiletries?”


    “Yes. And a change of clothes or two. For both of us. Casual attire. Please.”


    “Yes, sir.”


    I call Andrea and she picks up on the first ring. “Mr. Grey.”


    “Andrea, we may need to stay in Pornd tonight. Check that The Heathman has a suite.”


    “Will do. Shall I courier yourptop to you?”


    “I have it. Taylor picked it up.”


    Shit. It’s Ana’s birthday tomorrow.


    “Call Mrs. Jones. I’m not sure we’ll be able to make dinner tomorrow. I’ll update herter.”


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