“I don’t know. I guess so. I just remember getting to my feet and running. He tackled me and then grabbed my hair, pulling me. All I remember is that I needed to fight and I didn’t even know why.”
“That’s survival instincts kicking in,” said Quinn staring at the young woman.
“What did he want with me? Why me?” she asked.
“April, you said you were a flight attendant. Was Pensacola to Miami a normal route for you?” asked Major.
“Yes. I did Pensacola, Miami, Puerto Rico, Orlando, and Cancun. It was always different but I usually hit all of those cities during my shift. I usually had overnight stays in Puerto Rico, Miami, or Cancun.”
“When you first met him, had you been somewhere prior to Miami?” asked Patrick. His sons now knew the direction they were going.
“Yes,” she nodded. “I had gone from Pensacola to Orlando, then Orlando to Cancun. We spent the night and then flew to Miami the next morning, then on to Pensacola.”
“Did you go out while in Cancun? Go to any clubs, bars, that sort of thing?” asked River.
“No. It’s just me and another flight attendant on those short flights. The pilots typically stick to themselves. There’s been too many problems about pilots and flight attendants in the past,” she said with a small smile. “We know better than to go out and party. You can’t function the next day. We had dinner at a place across the street from our hotel and then went to bed.”
“Did you share rooms?” asked River.
“Oh, no. They don’t make us do that any longer. Besides, the other attendant was a male. Jerry.”
“Did you and Jerry ever have a relationship?” asked Quinn with a harsh tone. She stared at him, then cocked her head to the side.
“I see what you’re asking. Sorry, no. Jerry is openly gay. I don’t think he’s in a relationship but he’s not interested me, I assure you.”
“I’m sorry for all the questions, April but do you take the same luggage every time?” asked Patrick.
“Usually. The trip coming back from Miami I lost a wheel on my bag. It’s crazy. I’ve never had an issue with that bag and they’re guaranteed for life. They’re specially made for flight attendants and pilots.”
“Did you throw the bag away?” asked Major.
“I meant to. I forgot all about the broken wheel, so on the next flight I tossed it in my car and then realized it wasn’t rolling properly. When I got to the flight attendant’s lounge, I bought a new one. They have a small store right there for us.”
“And the old one?” asked Finnegan.
“It’s still in the lounge, I think. I have a locker there since I’m based in Pensacola. I just shoved it inside the locker and transferred all my stuff to the new one.”
“April, is your bag ever out of your sight?” asked Patrick. She smiled at him.
“Sorry, but that’s exactly what they ask the passengers. ‘Was your bag in your possession, within your sight at all times?’ Everyone gets asked that, even us on occasion. I always keep my bag close. When I board the plane, Jerry and I put our bags in the coat closet at the door.”
“What’s Jerry’s last name?” asked Major.
“Sullivan. Jerry Sullivan. Why? He wouldn’t have anything to do with this,” she said. “Jerry is a sweet guy, afraid of his own shadow which is why he’s still single.”
“We just want to check to be sure he’s okay. Make sure nothing has happened to him recently.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, then Fiona and Margo put lunch on the table.
“You’re not going to figure this out on an empty stomach. Let’s eat and then we can talk more,” said Fiona.
Before the first bite, April looked up at them all again.
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help but I’m very confused. I know you all were in the military, Special Forces, but why help me? I’m a stranger. You could turn this over to the police, they would send me home, and you’d be free to go about your holiday or whatever you’re doing.”
“That’s not exactly how we operate,” smiled Margo. “When people are in trouble, we tend to step in and do something about it.”
“The ten of you?” she asked looking up and down the table.
