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physician in charge. There were so many things to do: first of which was to call Tara.
    She looked up at Saren. “My sister lives in New Zealand. She’ll be able to get to him faster than I can. I should call her right now.”
    “We left a couple of messages but haven’t heard back yet,” Saren explained. “Maybe you should try too.”
    Ally remembered what her sister had said. “Oh, that’s right. She’s traveling for a few days. I’m not sure how to reach her. I’ll leave messages until I do.” Now understanding that Tara couldn’t get to him any quicker than she could made her decision to leave tomorrow a sound one.
    Saren reached down, clicked open her briefcase, and lifted out a large envelope. “We assumed you’d want to be with your dad as soon as you heard the news, so the governor’s office has taken the liberty of making arrangements on your behalf. Almost everything you’ll need should be in this envelope, along with the police statements and accident information.” She slid the envelope across the table.
    Saren continued, “I’m to pass along that the entire Tetari family feels responsible. They have taken charge of Cal’s care. You don’t need to worry there. Trust me when I tell you he’s in good hands.”
    She shook her head. How could she be expected not to worry? Especially, when the reports were so vague.
    “You’ll see what I mean when you meet the Tetaris. Simone Tetari in particular; that’s George’s wife.”
    “Do you know the family well?”
    Saren chose her words carefully. “I’ve never spoken to them personally, but have done extensive research on the family on the governor’s behalf. He’s impressed with the farm model they’ve established and would like to emulate some of their ideas in Iowa. That’s one of the reasons for your dad’s visit.”
    “I’m getting the feeling the Tetaris are practically legends in New Zealand,” she muttered. Well, this was her family, and once she was there, she would be able to step in and assist Dad’s recovery and get him back home. She took the stack of papers out of the envelope and began to sort through them.
    Saren nodded. “Legends…maybe, some of them. You’ll see for yourself shortly. The family is fiercely loyal to those around them. From what I understand, they have known your father for a number of years. They care about him. If I were you, I’d be prepared to be treated like their long-lost daughter.”
    “Fine.” She scanned the flight information. “I’m leaving tonight?”
    Saren clicked her briefcase shut. “When I said you’d want to leave immediately, that’s what I meant. You’ll be leaving with me as soon as you can get your things together, and don’t forget to grab your passport. I’ll drop you off at the airport. There’s a charter jet waiting.”
    Ally’s eyes flew open. “Charter?”
    “The weather is an issue. We don’t have time to get you to Des Moines to catch a flight. This way you’ll be in the air before the worst of the weather hits.” Saren pointed to an envelope in the mess of papers. “That’s your connecting flight in LA and your arrival time, a mere eighteen hours from now, into Auckland’s International Airport.”
    She looked over the paperwork. “This all looks fairly straightforward. Thank you for arranging all of this, Saren, but I don’t see any flight information about how I’m getting down to the South Island from Auckland. Isn’t the farm around Queenstown?”
    “Those details are being handled by the Tetaris. I’ve been assured you’ll know where to go once you’ve landed.”
    “Sounds cryptic and tells me nothing,” Ally argued as she started down the hallway to pack.
    Saren shrugged her shoulders. “Look, Ally, I know your family has been through a lot. I’ve told you all I know about this situation.” Saren averted her eyes and walked into the hall to retrieve her coat.
    For a moment, Ally wondered what else Saren knew and wasn’t saying.