CHAPTER Four
“Why is this taking so long?” Zane demanded.
The young man with the clipboard sounded as if he was doing his best to be patient. “Because we had fifty-three people call the hotline claiming to have various relationships with the mystery man,” said the assistant news producer.
“First, he’s not a mystery man. He’s my goddamned brother. Second, I could have gained security clearance for the NSA during the time I’ve been in here. My life and my family are not exactly fugitives. My parents never met a charity fundraiser they didn’t like and your news station has the photos to prove it. Third, look at me then look at my brother. We’re not twins, but there’s an unmistakable resemblance that anybody with eyes can see! So, please, for Christ’s sake. Get somebody in here who can tell me what’s going on.”
An older man opened the door before the AP had to come up with a response to that. “Sorry to keep you waiting like this, Mr. Fonteneau.” He held out his hand. “My name is Carmichael. I produce the news here.”
Zane shook his hand in a matter-of-fact way and said, “This is my wife.”
The man nodded in her direction and then said, “I’ve just been on the phone with the physician who’s overseeing your brother’s case. He’s a specialist with the CU sports and performance facility.”
“What kind of specialist?”
“Concussion. He wants to leave your brother where he is for tonight.”
“And where is that?”
“He’s a guest in the home of a Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department deputy.” Zane exchanged a look with Adelaide, but decided to let the man go on. “Your brother’s doctor wants to have a chance to talk with your family before you’re reunited because, apparently, it’s tricky.”
“What does that mean?”
“I can’t speak for a medical specialist. I can just say the doctor feels that it’s critical he share some guidelines about your family’s expectations and,” he cleared his throat, “behavior. Your brother sustained a head injury and has memory loss because of it. Dr. Parsighian would like you, meaning the immediate family, to come to his office in Boulder. He’ll meet with you, answer your questions and concerns, and offer his opinion about the way forward. Then you’ll be able to take your brother home.”
Zane wanted to protest every bit of that. He wanted to see Dash right that minute and he didn’t want his brother spending the night with some stranger. On the other hand, everything Carmichael said made sense. When he looked at Adelaide, she nodded as if she was reading his mind.
“Alright. Give me the address and the time. And I want your assurance that there will not be TV crews in Boulder tomorrow morning.”
That request seemed to give Carmichael pause. “It’s a double edge sword, Mr. Fonteneau. The exposure on the news was what has made it possible for your brother’s family to be located. The other side is that now it’s a big local story and people want to know how it turns out.”
Zane’s jaw clenched. “Is that a no?”
Carmichael sighed. “How about this? We’ll keep the crews from following your family going in and out at Boulder in exchange for an exclusive interview.”
“How are you going to keep the other stations from finding out?”
“Right now only three people here at the station know. The person who answered the call, my AP, and me. If there’s a leak, it will be pretty easy to trace.”
“Alright. If you can keep the circus away, we’ll do an interview. Not my brother. And not my wife.”
“You, your parents and Dr. Parsighian.”
“Agreed.”
“Alright,” Carmichael said as he waved at the AP.
Zane was handed a slip of paper with the CU address. 9:00 am. “A specialist who works Sunday mornings?”
Carmichael gave a small smile. “I think everybody recognizes this is a unique situation.” He stood up to indicate that everything that needed to pass between Dash’s family representatives and Channel 9 news had been covered. Zane and Adelaide stood as well. “We wish you and your family the best. We’ll want to set up that interview for tomorrow. You’ll let your parents know we have an agreement.”
It was a statement. Not a question. Which rankled Zane, but he knew he was bound to be easily aggravated. His brother was wandering around Colorado with no ID and no memory, for Christ’s sake.
Adelaide spoke for the first time. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Carmichael. We’re grateful for the service you’ve provided.”
Carmichael nodded to her, then to Zane before exiting the room. The door was left standing open. The message was doubly clear. We’re done. Get out.
Adelaide put her arm around Zane’s waist and squeezed. He looked crestfallen. “You want to call your folks or go over?”
“Call. Let’s go home. You drive.” She nodded. “Still have some of that blackberry whiskey?”
“We do. Wish I could share.”
He reached down and rubbed the small hill that used to be her Lululemon-covered flat stomach. “This can’t be good for you.”
“I’m fine.” She pulled the strap of her bag over her shoulder and walked out, knowing Zane would be right behind her.