Meghann wrote down the number and stared at it. Her heart was beating quickly.
“This is ridiculous.” She picked up the phone and dialed. With every ring, she had to fight the urge to hang up.
“Smitty’s Garage.”
Meghann swallowed hard. “Is Joe there?”
“Just a sec. Joe!”
The phone clanged down, then was picked up. “Hello?”
“Joe? It’s Meghann.”
There was a long pause. “I thought I’d seen the last of you.”
“I guess it won’t be that easy.” But the joke fell into silence. “I … uh … I have a deposition in Snohomish County on Friday afternoon. I’m sure you won’t want to … I shouldn’t have called, but I thought you might like to get together for dinner.”
He didn’t answer.
“Forget it. I’m an idiot. I’ll hang up now.”
“I could pick up a couple of steaks and borrow Smitty’s barbecue.”
“You mean it?”
He laughed softly, and the sound of it released that achy tension in her neck. “Why not?”
“I’ll be there about six. Is that okay?”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll bring wine and dessert.”
Meghann was smiling when she hung up. Ten minutes later, Rhona buzzed her again.
“Ms. Dontess, your sister is on line two. She says it’s urgent.”
“Thanks.” Meg put on her headset and pushed the button. “Hey, Claire. Welcome back. Your flight must have been on time. Amazing. How was—?”
“I’m at the airport. I didn’t know who else to call.” Claire’s voice was shaky; it almost sounded as if she was crying.
“What’s going on, Claire?”
“I don’t remember the flight from Nashville. I also don’t remember getting my luggage, but it’s right here. I don’t remember getting my keys or walking through the garage, but I’m sitting in my car.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I, damn it,” Claire screamed, then she started to sob. “I can’t remember how to get home.”
“Oh, my God.” Instead of panicking, Meghann took charge. “Do you have a piece of paper?”
“Yes. Right here.”
“A pen?”
“Yes.” Her sobs slowed down. “I’m scared, Meg.”
“Write this down. Eight twenty-nine Post Alley. Do you have that?”
“I’m holding it.”
“Keep holding it. Now get out of your car and walk toward the terminal.”
“I’m scared.”
“I’ll stay on the phone with you.” She heard Claire slam the car door shut. The rolling thump of luggage followed her.
“Wait. I don’t know which way—”
“Is there a covered walkway in front of you, with airlines listed above it?”
“Yes. It says Alaska and Horizon.”
“Go that way. I’m right here, Claire. I’m not going anywhere. Take the escalator down one floor. You see it?”
“Yes.”
She sounded so weak. It scared the hell out of Meghann. “Go outside. Pick up the phone that says Taxi. What’s the number above the door you just came through?”
“Twelve.”
“Tell the cab driver to pick you up at door twelve, that you’re going downtown.”
“Hold on.”
Meghann heard her talking.
Then Claire said, “Okay.” She was crying again.
“I’m right here, Claire. Everything is going to be okay.”
“Who is this?”
Meghann felt an icy rush of fear. “It’s Meghann. Your sister.”
“I don’t remember calling you.”
Oh, Jesus. Meghann closed her eyes. It took an act of will to find her voice. “Is there a cab in front of you?”
“Yes. Why is it here?”
“It’s there for you. Get in the backseat. Give him the piece of paper in your hand.”
“Oh God, Meg. How did you know I had this paper? What’s wrong with me?”
“It’s okay, Claire. I’m here. Get in the cab. He’ll drop you off at my building. I’ll be waiting for you.”
The cab pulled along the curb and stopped. Before Claire could even say thank you, the front passenger-side door opened. Meghann threw a wad of bills at the driver, then slammed the door shut.
Claire’s door opened.
Meghann was there. “Hey, Claire, come on out.”
Claire grabbed her handbag and climbed out of the cab. She felt shaky, confused.
“Where’s your luggage?”
Claire looked around. “I must have left it in my car at the airport.” She laughed, though it sounded weak, even to her. “Look, Meg, I’m feeling a lot better now. I don’t know … I just spazzed out for a minute. The plane ride was awful, and they practically strip-searched me in Memphis. I’m already missing Bobby, and he’s going to be down there for the next few weeks. I guess I had a panic attack or something. Just take me to a quiet restaurant for a cup of coffee. I probably just need to sleep.”
Meg looked at her as if she were a science experiment gone bad. “Are you kidding me? A panic attack? Believe me, Claire, I know panic attacks, and you don’t forget how to get home.”
“Right. And you know everything.” The stress of her … thing … snapped cleanly, left her exhausted. “I don’t want to fight with you.”