“Jack? This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”
“I ah, decided to take a few days off. Spend them with you. I always wanted to see a documentary being made. I write mystery novels and figured I could use it in my next book.”
“No way.”
“Is it so hard to believe?” I feign to look insulted.
“Sorry. It’s just, I don’t know. Doesn’t seem like something you would be interested in. Sit, please.” She moves her purse out of the tiny plastic chair.
“Just a second. Can you come up to the counter with me? I want to change your seat so we can talk.”
For a moment, I think she may reject my offer but she doesn’t resist when I tug her out of her seat and take her to the attendant. “There’s a few people on standby, isn’t there, miss?”
“Yes, sir. That’s true.”
“I have an extra first-class ticket. If she takes it, can you reimburse the price of her seat and give it to someone else?”
“I can credit it toward some other flight in the future.”
I look at Blake and can tell from her smile she’s not really mad. “Fine. I’ll sit next to you but Iwillreimburse you.”
“Absolutely. I promise to send you a bill.” Behind my back I cross my fingers and can’t wait until she learns my hotel room is right next to hers.
When we settle into our seats at the front of the plane, I relax for the first time since hearing about her little adventure. The sense of foreboding is still lodged in my gut but not so strongly. When that happens, I know I’m in for trouble but it’s the kind I can handle.
As passengers board, she touches my hand, and I turn from my study of incoming faces but only for a second. This is the most important part of my mission.
“Why are you really here?” Brows furrowed, she searches my unreadable face.
“Simple. To protect you.”
She slips a hand to my cheek so I meet her eyes. “You serious?”
“As a heart attack.” My gaze goes back to the aisle and I curse under my breath. One of the guys boarding looks familiar. I try to place him but can’t. Still, I don’t like how he walks, the way he pointedly looks away from me, even when I bump my elbow into his thigh.
“Listen, it’s very sweet how you want to protect me. And, actually, hot. But I know what I’m doing. I’ve researched the documentary team for almost a year and no one knows this cult better than me.”
The slight flicker in her gaze is all I need to know.
She’s in deep shit.
