Sarah Summers got the news from Dan that he would not be able to go to dinner with her that evening. He was going to be working on the plane on Christmas Eve also. At first she was disappointed, angry even. After reflection, though, she realized she was reacting the same way her ex-husbands had when she was forced to work a case when they had things planned. But it was part of police work—the long hours, the missed dinners, the waiting for her to finally come home—only to be so exhausted she just crashed on the bed. This was different, but the circumstances demanded the same.
Sarah jumped in her car and drove to the hangar to spend what time she could with Dan there. She was surprised at the crowd of people who wanted to get the plane going to see if it was the kids at the lodge. When she saw Mary and Sue, she quickly helped with setting food out for the people working. Then Sarah got back into her car and went to the police department and borrowed the large coffeepot from the emergency truck. Knowing the chief ’s friendship with James, she knew it would not be an issue if the matter came up at all.