Page 21 of Radar (Iniquus Certified Cerberus Tactical K9 #2)

Elyssa

Saturday

Lumberjack, Alaska

“There she is,” Uncle Orest said, looking over his shoulder, then shifting around in his seat to see Elyssa better.

“I’m here.” Elyssa moved over to the dinner table to join him, dropping a kiss on her Uncle Orest’s cheek and squeezing his shoulders affectionately.

“Did you have a good nap?”

“I rested. I wasn’t able to sleep.” She pulled out a chair and slid into the seat, taking in the single empty plate on the table. “Where are Eddie and Paca? Did you eat alone?”

“No. No. I ate with our friends. I am about to enjoy blueberry cobbler with homemade maple ice cream. This is a must. I quite insist you shall try this while you are here. As a matter of fact, every year I look forward to spending a delightful evening eating and reading.” He held up a book in French.

“I enjoy this dessert so much, I always order second bowl.” He lifted his chin toward the door.

“This evening, our friends go mushing with team for night practice.”

“I read that mush comes from French Canadian ‘ marche ,’ which is ‘walk’ in English. I guess it was like the horse driver calling out ‘Walk on,’ but people heard ‘Mush.’ That’s kind of interesting. How do you say it in Slovak?”

“ Psie preteky .”

“Beautiful. Someday I’d like to be able to speak Slovak, too.” She laced her hands and dropped them between her knees. “Uncle, I need to talk to you about something.”

He put his forearm on the table and leaned his weight onto it.

“I was just on the phone with the airport. They said that because the first leg of Eddie’s and my trip arrived late at Newark and a subsequent airport glitch affected all the planes there, our bags ended up on the wrong plane.

And while they were finally located, Eddie’s and my bags won’t get to us before Tuesday.

Since I was originally scheduled to leave Alaska on Wednesday, I told them just to deliver them to my house in D.C. ”

“My dear, I’m so sorry this would all have been averted had my secretary been able to get tickets on my plane out of Washington.”

Elyssa waved a hand in the air. “This was a last-minute adventure, and even under the best of circumstances, bags go missing. It’s part of traveling.

But even with the warm clothes I bought in Fairbanks to tide me over, I’m going to have to admit to myself that these frigid temperatures are too much for me.

I am having a lot of trouble with heart pain. ”

When Uncle Orest scowled, Elyssa laid a soothing hand on his arm and continued.

“Out here at the lodge, so far from a proper medical facility and the unpredictability of the weather, I have to tell you, it’s adding anxiety to my heart issues.

This climate just isn’t something I can handle.

” She exhaled. “I don’t want to disappoint you, but I spoke with the airline and was able to get them to change my ticket to tomorrow.

I am so sorry to leave the adventure, but I need to go home in the morning. ”

“My dear, will a very few days more make such a difference?” Uncle Orest asked. “I’m thinking of Eddie. Of course, he is my guest. All arrangements are in place. He is, as ever, welcome. He seems to be having a marvelous time with the dogs.”

“He is. I think you have him hooked on traveling by sled dog, which is not very practical where we live.” Elyssa looked up as a server extended a menu toward her.

“Thank you, but I ate earlier. Perhaps some water?” After the server retreated, Elyssa said, “I’m nervous about even waiting until morning to leave.

It’s the soonest I could arrange things.

I hired a car to come pick me up. Because it’s almost two hours to the airport, and you like to sleep in, I need to say goodbye to you now. ”

“What time is your plane leaving?” Uncle Orest asked.

“My car comes at seven. The plane leaves just after ten.”

“And you fly straight through to D.C.?” Uncle Orest asked.

“I have a layover in Chicago, but it’s a good one. Long enough that I shouldn’t have to worry about delays and short enough that it’s not difficult to manage.”

“Ah, in Russian, there is an idiom that translates to say, ‘The plan has no wealth.’ We make plans and hope for best. This adventure worked for neither you nor for me. I received a phone call telling me of an urgent matter that needs my immediate attention with our family who visit Singapore.”

“Oh dear. I’m so sorry.”

“It is precautionary that I go and lend my wisdom.” He chuckled. “I think there is something about me that our family finds calming. I’ll go, give them lots of hugs and advice. Usually, they accept hugs and ignore advice.”

“Shall we go to the airport together then?” Elyssa asked.

“I will be up before the cock crows. My car picks me up at 4:20 tomorrow morning. Now, as to driving together, I would ask you to join me in my car, but you’ve already made your arrangements, and I plan to sleep stretched out in back seat.”

“Have you spoken with Eddie and Paca?”

“I have. Our friends are aware that they should continue with their schedule as planned and enjoy this time. They seem to be companionable. Perhaps when they work together at NASA, they will become good friends. But perhaps you prefer for Eddie to come with you, so you are not traveling alone?”

“No, sir. There will be plenty of people around me. If I need help, honestly, there is little Eddie could do.”

“Well then, with lodge paid for, all is arranged. Our friends have met my dog team. They should enjoy watching start of Iditarod.”

“That’s very generous of you, Uncle.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Thank you for being so kind to Eddie. And you know, Paca is really lovely as well. It was wonderful to meet him and spend a day having him show us Fairbanks and his lab. His squirrel stories are hysterical.”

Uncle Orest pursed his lips and stared at her for a long moment with an expression that Elyssa couldn’t decipher.

“I really must press you, my dear. Is there anything I can say that would encourage you to get on my plane with me? In Singapore, surely there will be shops where you can find warm weather clothes to wear.”

“The wedding.” She reminded him. “I’m still coming to Singapore next week, and then the family retreat on the island.

Your secretary booked the flights for Monday.

” She paused, a frown forming between her brows.

“But you said that there’s an urgent matter?

Is there anything I can do to help, or will my presence be a distraction or a burden? I can arrange a different time.”

“I think our new plans will be best. Come give me hug. I will see you when you get to our family island.” Uncle Orest rose to receive Elyssa’s embrace.

Adjusting her backpack on her shoulder, Elyssa felt a strange sense of dread creep through her system.

It was probably her fear of walking out into the bitter cold and its effect on her blood pressure as she walked to her room.

Yes, that had to be it.

Right?