All were breathless as they took their seats in the command center at the round table. Murphy and Grady were panting from their long run up and down the paths with Alexis and Kathryn, something they did every afternoon.

The simple explanation was that the bell meant there was business going on in the main building, and Charles was waiting to discuss it.

“I can’t believe tomorrow is Thanksgiving,” Kathryn said. “I’ve never seen three and a half months go by so fast since we returned from the island.”

The others agreed, their thoughts on the guests who would be arriving shortly to celebrate the holiday. Only Lizzie would be absent, as she was on the return leg of her honeymoon. But she’d called, and arrangements were set up to have a webcam visit after Thanksgiving dinner.

Nikki stared out the window at the last of the autumn leaves blowing in the late afternoon wind. Her thoughts were on Jack’s arrival. Her heart ached with loneliness. Three and a half months of not seeing the person you loved was three and a half months too long. She brought her thoughts back to the present when Charles called the meeting to order. Suddenly she was on her feet. “I have something to say!”

Startled, the others stared at her. Myra’s hands flew to the pearls at her neck. She was certain she’d never heard that tone in Nikki’s voice before. She risked a glance at Annie, who was suddenly alert.

“Can it wait until we get our business done with?” Charles asked.

“No! No, Charles, it can’t wait. I want to speak now. I need to speak now.”

“You have the floor, dear,” Myra said.

Nikki cleared her throat. “I’m sick of waiting for Martine Connor to grant our pardon. I think it’s time we did something about it. She promised to pardon us. We made sure she got into the White House, and she hasn’t taken one single step to keep her promise. To me, a person is only as good as her word. I want to make another point. It’s been three and a half months since I’ve seen Jack. Yes, he and the others are coming up the mountain in a few hours, and, yes, they will be here for a four-day weekend, but then they’ll be gone, and we’re back to being alone again. My clock is ticking. I want to get married, I would dearly love to have children if it’s in the cards for me. That is not going to happen unless Martine Connor gets off her duff and keeps her promise. I’m sick of the stalling, sick of the promises that don’t materialize.”

“Dear, Lizzie has been working on our case, you know that,” Myra said, her grip fierce on the pearls around her neck.