Betrayal - Fern Michaels [38]
As she walked down the small set of steps to the tarmac, Kate actually felt faint for a second. The humidity was overwhelming, like a wet wool blanket enshrouding her. She took a deep, if somewhat shaky, breath. She hated Florida summers, but the winter was truly perfect. Knowing this, she and Alex had always timed their visits to coincide with good weather. It’d been a long, long time since she faced this kind of heat. If the weather was an omen of things to come, then Kate figured Alex was in big trouble. Again, she tried to curb her negative thinking. It wouldn’t do her or Alex one bit of good. Positive thinking, Kate.
Determined to get through this ordeal, Kate forced a smile when Joe brought her luggage to the rental car waiting alongside the jet. “Thanks, Joe. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I don’t know when I’ll be leaving.”
Joe nodded. “Just call when you’re ready. We’ll be here within a couple of hours.” He paused for a minute before finishing, “If there is anything I can do for you and Alex, just say the word.” He looked her straight in the face, his eyes never wavering. Kate was sure he knew why she’d come to Florida in such a hurry. His diplomacy in the matter was more than appreciated.
“I’ll do that, Joe. And thanks. Alex will appreciate this.” She shook his hand, then took the keys he held out for her.
“The car is full of gas, and it’s ready to go,” Joe said.
Kate nodded her thanks while he placed her luggage in the trunk of the sleek gray Mercedes. A compact car would’ve been fine, but dear Gertie, she always selected the best for Kate, no matter what.
Kate gave Joe a quick hug. “I truly thank you. I’ll stay in touch.”
With a slight nod, he returned to the aircraft. Kate wondered who else would need his services today. She hoped to return to Asheville within the week, but James had told her they would take this one day at a time. She promised Alex she wouldn’t get too upset, but it was a hard promise to keep. Her negative thoughts kept bombarding her with “what-if ” scenarios.
Kate adjusted the car’s air-conditioning as high as it would go. The back of her neck was damp with sweat. She couldn’t wait to take off the black slacks and cream-colored silk blouse. Dressing so formally for the trip was unlike her. Maybe subconsciously she thought looking her best would have an effect on the outcome of what lay ahead. If only it were that simple.
She took the map from the passenger’s seat, spreading it across the steering wheel. She was familiar with Naples, but not the area in which Gertie’s friends lived, now her new home, however temporary. Naples Municipal Airport was located on Aviation Drive, according to Kate’s map. Tracing the directions with her finger, she viewed the route to Highway 41. From there she would travel farther south to Hibiscus Lane, where the Thermans’ house was located. She glanced at her watch before putting the car in drive. Not yet noon. She had plenty of time before James’s arrival.
As she turned south onto Highway 41, or Tamiami Trail, as it was called by the locals, Kate’s heart did a flip-flop. There on the northeast corner of 41 and Airport Pulling Road sat the Collier County Courthouse. That was where Alex’s future would be decided. Slowing down to get a good look, Kate determined there was nothing even slightly threatening in the building’s appearance. Several stories high, white concrete stucco, dozens of palm trees, hibiscus plants decorating the lawn. Men wearing dark suits and ties walked in and out of the revolving doors. She couldn’t imagine dressing like that in the heat. She shook her head and accelerated.
The usual McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King flanked Highway 41. Nothing new. Nothing they didn’t have in Asheville. She saw a Wal-Mart sign and decided she’d best stop for a