“How did you know that?” asked Patrick.
“My grandfather. He was a member of the conglomerate,” she said calmly. “I thought that might have been what Daniel was talking about when he said my grandfather was protecting me. He got me the interview opportunity but he had nothing to do with my career after that.”
“When your grandfather died, what happened to his shares in the airline?” asked River.
“Oh, they didn’t go to me if that’s what you’re asking. The rules of the group were that if anyone wanted out or wanted to sell, the shares of all investments had to be sold back to the conglomerate. My grandfather’s shares were sold back to them and the money was placed in trust for me.”
“So, you have no say in the business at all?” asked Margo.
“No. Nothing.”
CHAPTER NINE
“We’re about thirty minutes out,” said Evie.
“Thirty minutes? How is that possible?” asked April.
“We’ll tell you all about that later,” smiled Patrick. “Do you happen to know the name of this rich uncle of Jerry’s?”
“No, I’m sorry. I just never thought it was any of my business. What are we going to do about my apartment? I mean, I don’t have a lot there but I want my photos of my parents, my grandfather and me. I have a few pieces of jewelry, some things that belonged to my parents but it only means something to me.”
“We’ve sent a team to your apartment,” said Patrick carefully. He didn’t want her to know that they were sent hours ago. “They’ve been instructed to box up whatever isn’t destroyed or anything that could be repaired. If you’re missing anything at all, we’ll have a conversation with the sheriff’s office.”
“On your last flight was there anyone that seemed odd, someone doing something strange or acting strangely?” asked Major.
“We’re a small airline,” she smiled, “most passengers are strange. They’re looking for low budget flights to all the fun hotspots. They board in their bathing suits, wearing flip-flops with their pool floaties already around their waist.”
“You’re fucking joking?” frowned River.
“I wish I were,” she laughed. “I was taught to dress for a flight. Not necessarily in my Sunday best but always in appropriate clothing. My grandfather used to say, you never know who you might meet on a flight. I took that to heart.
“In the last few years, people board my flights in their pajamas and slippers. For a ninety-minute flight. Not overnight.”
“Damn,” muttered Quinn. “I guess we’ve been spoiled with our flights. They’re either military transports or family flights.”
“I think it’s sad,” said April. “It really shows a lack of respect for yourself. People do look at you differently when you’re dressed that way. Don’t get me wrong, I know the difference between a passenger who can’t afford to dress ‘nice’ and a passenger who doesn’t want to dress nice. Also, by nice, I mean jeans, tennis shoes, a nice top or shirt. I don’t mean a suit and tie.”
“Then no one seemed odd on the last flight?” asked Finn. April thought about it a moment, sort of walking through the passengers one at a time on the flight.
“You know, there was a man who wasn’t strange really but he and Jerry did speak for a while. I didn’t pay much attention because Jerry was a flirt. I figured he was flirting with the guy. He was maybe in his fifties, silver hair, tanned skin. He was dressed nicely. Luxury brand loafers. I definitely noticed that.”
“Did you see where the man went as you landed?” asked Finn.
“No. He carried his luggage on the flight so he wasn’t in baggage claim when we walked through.”
April felt the bump beneath her and stared at everyone, shaking her head.
“We’ve landed?”
“We landed,” smiled Evie. “Thank you for flying magic carpet airlines. We hope you enjoyed your flight and we look forward to serving you again soon.”
The others laughed and April realized that the woman was making a joke. As they left the plane, she turned to Evie.
“You’re an amazing pilot. That was the best flight I’ve ever been on. I hope we meet again soon.”
“Honey, you come find me anytime and we’ll tour our entire fleet,” said Evie squeezing her hand.
When the group stepped off the flight, another group was waiting to greet them.
