Page 121 of One Last Shot

He offered her a smile. Nodded.

“Oh, Oak,” Mike said as Seraphina stepped away. “Did you ever find out about my chute?”

Oaken frowned. “You mean was your chute tampered with?”

Mike shook his head. “The pack I used—it wasn’t mine.”

Oaken stilled. “Wait. How did you know which one to give me?”

“I didn’t. I just grabbed one.”

Oaken went hollow. “Are you saying... Wait. I could have been the one who slammed into the ground?”

All the air seemed to leave the room.

“Moose has the chute,” Oaken finally said. “He said he was sending it to a friend in the police department. I’ll ask him about it.”

Mike nodded. “Be careful. Live big, live wild.”

“Thanks, Mike.” Oaken exited the room.

Reynolds stood in the hallway, reading his phone. He wore a pair of khaki pants, a sweater, boots. Hollywood goes to Alaska. He looked up. “Heading out?”

“Yeah.”

“You did your final interview with Huxley?”

Short, and he’d had to sort of grind out his smile, but, “Yes.It’s in the can.”

The executive producer held out his hand. “Thanks for everything, Oaken. Really. Without you...” His mouth tightened.

Oaken nodded again. “Take care of them.”

He headed down the hall, into the elevator, and outside.

To his surprise, Moose was in the lobby. For a second he hoped... but no, Boo had left.

Without saying goodbye. Without letting him explain.

“Hey, buddy. We wanted to catch you before you left.”

We?Oaken looked over and spotted the rest of the Air One crew sitting in chairs. Now London, Shep, and Axel got up. Walked over to him. Axel held out a coin. “This is the Air One challenge coin. It’ll get you nothing but respect. Or drinks down at the Tenderfoot. I suppose that might include chocolate milk.”

He took it. Heavy, it felt a little like a medal and bore the Air One Rescue logo on the front, the state of Alaska map on the back with a chopper etched over it.

“Don’t lose it or you’ll owe us a round of drinks next time you’re in town,” said Shep. “Notchocolate milk.”

“I’d drink chocolate milk,” Moose said, smiling.

“Thanks, guys.” And now Oaken’s throat did thicken. He gave London a hug, then held out his hand to Shep, Axel, and Moose. Moose pulled him in for a back slap.

“You know this means we can call you when we’re in trouble,” said Moose.

“Anytime.”

Silence, and he wanted to say it—say goodbye to Boo for me.

“So, back to Nashville?”