Chapter 6
Earlier in Renshaw's office.
With the meeting concluded, Oscar stood up to escort Jaime out of the office. However when Renshaw asked him to stay, he couldn't refuse. With a wistful look at Jaime, Oscar closed the door. He wanted very much to follow after the young woman, but instead he turned and studied the senator carefully. Not for the first time, he wondered if Renshaw suspected the part that Oscar played in Jaime's disappearance. Still trying to protect the woman he cared so deeply about, Oscar sat down.
Renshaw, however, had other things to discuss. From the senator's perspective Oscar appeared to be listening politely; he even answered a few questions without the senator realizing that Oscar's thoughts were on something else entirely.
Oscar admitted to himself that he had feelings for Jaime for years. He had always pushed them aside; even though Jaime had never fully regained her memory, he would never try to get between her and Steve. He couldn't do that to Jaime or Steve in case her memory ever fully returned.
But when Steve got married he knew that Jaime was not only happy but relieved. In fact, at the wedding Oscar had felt that something special had blossomed between Jaime and him when they were dancing. He could tell she felt it too. Not wanting to rush her, he had bided his time. Then Chris had entered the picture. Once again, Oscar took a back seat in Jaime's romantic life.
Now his thoughts kept returning to the last time he saw Jaime at the carriage house and her response when he had told her that he loved her: "I love you, too… I do!"
Oscar looked at his watch. If he left now, he could still make it to the airport before her flight left.
The Director of the OSI stood up abruptly. "Senator, "he said as sincerely as possible, "I'm afraid I really need to leave now. But I want you to know how much I appreciate your assistance in resolving Jaime's difficulties. As to the "Smithson matter", please contact my office in the morning; I am sure that we can arrange a time to talk it over in more detail." With that, Oscar rushed out of the office.
As usual, his driver was waiting. The car was startedbefore Oscar opened the door. "Jack, take me to the airport," Oscar instructed.
Traffic was heavy and Oscar grew tenser as it came to a standstill. He couldn't remember ever using the car phone for a personal call. But there's always a first time, he reasoned and dialed the number for the airport.
"Yes, I want to inquire as to the status of Flight 702…. I see...ten minutes ago... Are there anymore flights out tonight? Ah, thank you." As the call was disconnected, Oscar stared at the phone.
"Mr. Goldman? Shall I still head the airport?" the driver asked.
In his line of work, Oscar Goldman was used to being disappointed. But over the years, he had become adept at hiding his feelings in front of others. "No, Jack. Take me back to the OSI; then you can call it a night. But I'm going to need a ride to the airport, first thing tomorrow morning."
At what time he would be able to call Jaime, Oscar wondered. It was a game he had played often over the years. In three hours, her flight would be halfway to California... Several hours after that, she would be arriving home. How soon to call? Tonight? Should he wait until morning? Would Chris Williams be there with her? Realizing that the last was a distinct possibility, Oscar began to reconsider his plans to fly to Ojai the next day.