Kennon sighed. “On this island you can’t get away from the phone,” he said wryly. “O.K., where is it?”
“You look pretty bushed, Doc. Maybe you’d better rest awhile.”
“And maybe it’s an emergency,” Kennon interrupted. “And probably it is because the staff can handle routine matters—so maybe you’d better show me where you keep the phone.”
* * *
“One moment please,” the Message Center operator said. There were a few clicks in the background. “Here’s your party,” she continued. “Go ahead, Doctor.”
“Kennon?” a nervous voice crackled from the receiver.
“Yes?”
“You’re needed out on Otpen One.”
“Who is calling—and what’s the rush?”
“Douglas—Douglas Alexander. The Lani are dying! It’s an emergency! Cousin Alex’ll skin us alive if we let these Lani die!”