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impossible to grasp. Seriously discouraging.
    Cameron looked up from the morning Islander , his smile as sincere as a salamander. “And who are we this morning?”
    She glared at his rested and robust mien. “Who we’ve always been, regardless of recall.”
    Nica sliced a papaya and laid the coral-colored slivers next to the chunks of fresh golden pineapple on the plate. “Good morning, Jade. Did you sleep well?”
    “Not really.” She tenaciously held Cameron’s stare. “I couldn’t stop trying to remember.”
    He laid the newspaper down. “And?”
    Her jaw tightened. “I’m not sure pressure helps.”
    “Wouldn’t really know, though, without a professional opinion.”
    “Are you offering yours?”
    “I’m suggesting a doctor.”
    A thin, gray-and-white cat circled the table, meowing with a raspy noise that sounded as though something had stomped its throat.
    “I suppose you’re paying since I have no money, no ID, no credit card or proof of insurance.” She took a seat at the table and breathed the sweet, tangy aroma of the fruit. “I think we discussed that yesterday.”
    “A stop at the Hanalei precinct would take care of it.”
    “I can’t risk the pub—” The word died in her throat. Aggravation with him had spurred another glimmer. But why would she be concerned with publicity?
    He cocked his chin up. “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    His gaze locked on like an arched and hooded king cobra’s. “Can’t risk publicity?” The mesmerizing stare laid siege to her defenses. “What don’t you want publicized?”
    Her mind fought for an answer. It was almost painful.
    “Please,” Nica murmured.
    Cameron’s combative attitude had challenged her complacent mind and triggered thoughts or at least impressions that slipped past her block. But sensitive to Nica, he sat back, palms resting on the table. “You need a medical opinion. Your memory could be blocked by a clot or tumor. We’re only assuming a head injury, and none of us—” He glanced at Nica. “Not even Okelani is qualified to make a diagnosis.”
    Clot? Tumor? Her stress level was so much better now.
    “Can we vouch for her?” Nica’s soft voice broke through their standoff. “Say she’s our guest from the mainland and …”
    “Make up a name, a story?” Cameron’s gaze was gentle on his sister, but it was obvious what he thought of the idea. “You want to falsify records?”
    Jade tightened her jaw. “I’m not asking anyone to lie for me. And I’m not going to the hospital. There’ll be too many questions. You can’t keep something like this quiet.” Again she had the need to shield herself, even if she couldn’t tell him why.
    He turned back and fixed her with a probing frown. “Should we recognize you?”
    She glared back. “ America’s Most Wanted, maybe?”
    “Why the aversion to publicity?”
    “I’m not av—” Or was she? She turned away and chewed her lower lip.
    “What if he’s right, Jade?” Nica slid the fruit plate her way. “We should rule out something more serious.” Her voice quavered. “Something life-threatening.”
    Jade sank back in her chair. “Life-threatening?”
    For the first time Cameron’s tone softened toward her. “I’ll guarantee payment. You can pay me back when your insurance reimburses you.”
    Jade swallowed. “You think something’s wrong. Really wrong.”
    He flicked a glance at his sister. “Nica’s worried. I want to set her mind at ease.”
    “It’s not about me.” Nica squeezed her hands together. It obviously was to him.
    His tone was reasonable. “I think we should know what we’re dealing with.”
    Jade almost snapped that he wasn’t dealing with anything, but that would be untrue. He and Nica had both been dragged into her situation. And what if it was something serious, life-threatening? “What if I don’t have insurance and can’t reimburse you?”
    “I don’t think you’re indigent.”
    “Your crystal ball again?”
    “You were wearing