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helicopter when the pilot
banked suddenly, swooping down toward a small patch of green. Leila pushed
herself back into the seat as the ground seemed to rise much too fast. The
green beneath them formed itself into an airfield, dotted with toy-sized
buildings and planes.
    The helicopter
slowed then, and the pilot set the machine gently onto the grass. Leila sat for
a moment, willing herself to draw a breath and for her fingers to release their
death grip on the seat. The pilot’s voice was in her ears again.
    “Ma’am, you can
remove your headset now.”
    She pulled off
the headset as the pilot reached over and undid the safety harness, which
retracted back into its housing. There was a noise to her side and then a cool
rush of incoming air as the door of the helicopter opened.
    “Enjoy the rest
of your trip.” The pilot smiled and she nodded in his direction. A hand gripped
her elbow and she turned, looking down into the eyes of another man dressed in
a crisp navy blue uniform and hat.
    “Ma’am, if
you’ll follow me.” He helped her down, and she reached back for her bag and
purse. The helicopter pilot had turned back to the dials and switches of his
machine.
    The second
pilot was waiting, and she followed him across the grass. Her heart gave a
little leap of joy at the sight of a small Learjet on the tarmac. She’d done
research on private jets for a long-ago manuscript and remembered all the
luxurious details she’d given her hero’s plane. She hoped the real live version
in front of her had half the amenities.
    “If you’ll have
a seat, we’ll be underway.”
    The pilot held
her hand as she walked up the small flight of stairs into the plane. She
hesitated then turned back, leaning down to speak to the pilot.
    “Let me guess,
you’re not at liberty to tell me where I’m going.”
    He smiled up at
her. “On the contrary, Ms. Connors. We’ll land in Miami in just over three hours.
Also, they’re an hour ahead of us, so you may want to adjust your watch.” He
touched the visor of his hat and was gone.
    “Ms. Connors?
If you’ll be seated.”
    This voice was
female, and Leila turned. A woman stood there, in a skirt and jacket matching
the pilot’s uniform minus the hat, wearing a pleasant smile.
    “Thank you.” Leila
moved further into the cabin and took in her surroundings.
    Everything was
covered in cream-colored leather, with four large plush seats surrounding a
table. There was a banquet along one side. On the other side of the cabin was a
polished mahogany sideboard, echoing the wood trim of the cabin. Leila dropped
her bag and purse onto one seat and took the one closest to the window.
    “My name is
Stephanie and I’ll be with you for the duration of the flight. If you’ll fasten
your seat belt, we’ll be underway.”
    Leila did as
she was instructed and Stephanie walked to the front of the cabin, speaking
briefly through an open door into the cockpit before closing it. The door was
covered in polished mahogany as well and closed with a reassuringly solid
sound.
    Stephanie took
a small seat near the front of the plane and fastened her seat belt. She
turned, giving Leila a professional flight attendant smile.
    “We’ll be able
to remove these in just a few moments. Then, if you like, we have some
refreshments. Something to tide you over until you reach your ultimate
destination.”
    “Miami, right?
That’s what the pilot told me.”
    Stephanie
continued to smile. “Yes, well, that’s where we’re headed now, but no, that’s
not your ultimate destination.”
    Leila frowned.
“I don’t understand.”
    Beneath her, Leila
felt the plane begin taxiing down the runway. She squeezed her eyes shut and
clamped her hands down on the armrests of her seat, bracing herself against the
plush leather as the plane’s speed increased and the wheels left the runway.
    “Breathe, Ms. Connors.”
    Leila opened
her eyes. Stephanie’s smile was firmly in place. Despite her thudding heart and
sweating