Desperate Situations Read Free Page A

again the Ghost had thwarted the insurgents. His eyes swung back to the White Pine pilot. "Kind of small for a pilot," he said, almost under his breath. Something about the shape of the pilot's body intrigued him. The pilot couldn't be over five-six. McGrew watched the pilot of Famine walk up.
    Tinman smiled even bigger catching the intense look in McGrew's eye. "Yeah, but the Ghost is still the best, Captain."
    McGrew's attention riveted on the pilot standing in front of him. The White Pine pilot was short, small framed and the walk was a little odd. The flight helmet and camouflage scarf, presumably to keep out sand and other things, hid the entire face. He caught big, brown eyes staring at him.
    The look in the pilot's eyes made him uncomfortable. He had only seen that kind of intense stare in bars. And there was an electrical feeling in those eyes; he could feel it in his bones. He cleared his throat after a long second of mutual intensity and stuck out his hand. "On behalf of my men and myself, thanks for the timely rescue, Ghost."
    The Ghost's eyes flicked to Cowboy then a smile cracked the brown eyes. The pilot shook his hand while the other hand pulled off the camouflage material. In a swift motion, off came the helmet. "Any time, Captain." Short, brown hair framed the smiling face.
    McGrew's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. Then he narrowed his eyes as he saw the smile get bigger on Ghost's face. "A woman!"
    "God, I love getting that kind of reaction out of you military guys," Ghost replied as the other two pilots cracked up.
    "How the hell can White Pine put a woman in this sort of environment?" McGrew asked, his hand swinging to the surrounding area, knowing that mercenary units were usually the 'fire first, ask questions later' type.
    "Didn't matter what sex I was ten minutes ago, did it GI?" The Ghost's eyes turned hard.
    "Do you know what will happen to you if you get caught, Miss Smarty Pants?"
    "Of course. Dry it up, Cupcake," she said. "You men are all alike." She quickly put back on her helmet and cover scarf. "Don't tell too many people that a woman saved your ass. Bad for morale." She turned to Tinman. "Thanks for the pickup. Call sometime if you feel like losing at poker again."
    Tinman laughed and shook her hand. "Never. I learned my lesson." He shook Cowboy's hand and waved at Gunner who was already climbing into the Black Hawk.
    Ghost jogged back to the right side of the helicopter. Within seconds, the blades began spinning faster.
    Cowboy pounded Captain McGrew on the back. "Keep makin' the home front proud." With a nod at Tinman, he hurried to the cockpit and climbed in. As it lifted off, he gave a half salute to the two men.
    McGrew shaded his eyes from the dust kicked up by the wind vortices then turned to Tinman. "Nose art on a helicopter?"
    The warrant officer gave a belly laugh. "Only her four has them, sir."
    "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?"
    Tinman nodded and pointed to the quickly disappearing aircraft. "That was Famine. A black horse and rider holding the scales. Her Pave Hawk has a pale horse and rider ―"
    "For Death?"
    "Yes, sir. The Chinook that she uses has a red horse. Pestilence. And the executive one that ferries around big shots in White Pine has a small white horse with crown and a bow. War," Tinman said as they hurried to the military Black Hawk.
    McGrew stopped and glanced back in the direction of the dot on the horizon.
    Tinman stopped too and glanced with him.
    "Is she really that good?"
    "Best here in Iraq. Don't let her sex fool you. She's tougher than nails, sir." Tinman shook his head. "I wish I had half her talent."
    "Why is she working for White Pine?"
    "Rumor has it that she makes more in a month here than most of us in a year. Not to mention that she was military, but they wouldn't let her fly combat. Pissed her off. But that's only rumor. Personally, I think she gets off flying over here." Tinman shrugged at McGrew. "Just my thinking, sir."
    McGrew