Chapter 17 - The Tarmac
The jet landed hard enough to throw us forward against our belts.
Nobody spoke during taxi.
Daniel watched the black SUVs through the window.
He looked smaller now.
Not physically.
Just stripped of the story he had built around himself.
The aircraft stopped away from the main terminal.
The engines began winding down.
Valery stood near the door.
“Remain seated until instructed.”
Daniel unbuckled.
“Daniel,” I said.
He ignored me.
He lifted his suitcase and moved toward the rear service exit.
Valery blocked the aisle.
“There is no rear exit.”
He knew that.
Of course he knew that.
He was thinking like an animal trapped in a room.
The cabin door opened.
Bright California light flooded in.
A woman in a dark suit climbed the stairs.
“Daniel Mercer?”
He didn’t answer.
“Adam Blake?”
His eyes closed for one second.
That was enough.
“I’m Special Agent Ortiz.”
Two agents followed her.
She showed identification, then looked at me.
“Mrs. Mercer, are you all right?”
“Yes.”
It was not true, but it was true enough.
Ortiz turned to Daniel.
“We need you to step off the aircraft.”
He laughed softly.
“Am I under arrest?”
“Not at this moment.”
“Then I’m free to leave.”
“You are free to step off the aircraft and speak with us.”
He looked at me.
“Claire, come with me.”
“No.”
His face broke in a way I had never seen.
Not anger.
Grief.
“Please.”
I almost hated that more.
He lowered his voice.
“There are things I did because I wanted out.”
“Then tell them.”
“If I tell them, Monica knows.”
Agent Ortiz said, “Mr. Mercer, Monica Vale was arrested forty minutes ago in Vancouver.”
Daniel stopped breathing.
May you like
Then Ortiz added, “And she’s already talking.”
Private Jet Story - 20 Chapters
