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in this; I can feel it,” he mumbled to himself. Why did Graham tell him to get Cal to New Zealand and to the Tetari farm in specific? Cal’s girls had already lost their mother. Now this scare. At least Saren was able to get to Ally. Saren knew the nature of his business relationship with Graham when he was too ashamed to even tell his own wife. Graham McMann had his eyes on the Tetari family. He hoped they had more resolve than he did.

Chapter 4
    Iowa City, Iowa
    “Dad’s been shot?” Ally repeated, trying to process this information.
    Saren put her hands over Ally’s and met her gaze. “It happened less than two hours ago. He’s in stable condition. The bullet wound does not appear life-threatening, but he also sustained a head injury while he was in the river.”
    She could feel the tears welling up but instinctively pushed them back down. “Where is he? Tell me exactly what happened.” No, not again, I can’t go through this again. I can’t lose another parent, not yet .
    The black sedan pulled up in front of her house. Saren patted her hands and offered, “Why don’t we go inside, and I’ll tell you everything I know.”
    They peeled off their winter coats and headed for the spacious kitchen. Saren perched on a leather stool at the breakfast bar.
    Ally’s head was pounding. Coffee. We need coffee. She programmed two cups of coffee into her Keurig and handed one to Saren. As much as she wanted the caffeine jolt, she knew her stomach was in too many knots right now.
    “Thank you.” Saren took a sip and then placed her briefcase on top of the counter.
    She stood across from Saren with her arms folded. “I’m not buying that Dad’s not seriously injured. Why would you travel all the way here to tell me this? Why not a phone call? Why didn’t the people in New Zealand call my sister or even me?”
    “Cal didn’t have his phone on him when he was found. Perhaps it fell into the river with him. I’m sure they would have called you or your sister if they could have. Your dad had the governor’s contact information with him at the place where he was staying. When the governor received word, he felt that this news would be better delivered in person.”
    “Please just tell me everything that you know.”
    Saren leaned back against the kitchen chair and straightened her pants. She seemed to struggle to find the right words.
    “Officials are saying it must be an unfortunate hunting accident. It appears a hunter took a shot without realizing there were others in the area,” Saren began. “Yes, your dad was fishing with his friend, George Tetari, on his farm when the accident occurred. George took swift action and called in a helicopter. Your dad was flown to the hospital immediately. He was unconscious when he arrived, and that’s the last report I have.”
    Ally felt the pounding in her head lessening and took a deep breath. “How serious is the head injury?”
    “We honestly don’t know yet.” Saren’s professional mask slipped, and she seemed genuinely worried.
    “Can people walk onto private land in New Zealand and start shooting? Surely there are permits that are required? Are the police involved?” She needed to speak with the doctors and the police. This just couldn’t be happening.
    “The police are investigating as we speak, along with George’s people. Believe me, Ally, everything’s being done that can be done.”
    “What was this guy hunting for? I didn’t think there was any real game around there.” She knew that her dad needed her, and this whole accident wasn’t adding up. “You’ll need to give me the particulars. I’ll go down there immediately. I’m scheduled to travel to Auckland in a few days for a conference anyway, so it’s just a matter of switching my flights.”
    She leaned away from the counter, opening a drawer. Inside she pulled out a notepad and pen, quickly writing down what needed to be done. She would call the hospital and try to connect with the