Evidence of Mercy Read Free Page B

.”
    Jake jerked the mike back. “If we had a choice, Mike, we’d sure find another way. But we don’t. Are you ready for us or not?”
    â€œNo, not yet,” Mike said. “It’ll take some preparation. Just stand by, and I’ll get back to you.”
    Silence followed, and Jake set the microphone back on its hook and continued circling the airport.
    For a moment, neither of them spoke.
    It was the closest Lynda had ever been to death, yet she didn’t feel the peace she had always thought she’d feel. She wasn’t ready to die—not mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Wasn’t there supposed to be a warning so good-byes could be said, apologies made, and affairs put in order? She just wasn’t supposed to take off into the sky on a morning test flight and then never come back down.
    â€œI hope somebody moves my Porsche,” Jake said, eyeing the small airport below them.
    Again, Lynda was amazed. “We’re about to crash, and all you care about is your car?”
    His expression betrayed his growing anger. “You’re the one who cared more about your plane surviving than the people in it.”
    â€œHey, I’m in it. I’m not crazy about the prospect of death either!”
    Wiping his forehead with the back of his sleeve, he said, “Look, we don’t have time for this. We have to get ready, whether we like it or not. I’ll land the plane. I have more experience with emergencies.”
    â€œYou don’t have experience with this plane, Lindbergh. The weight’s different, and you don’t have a feel for it. You might bring it down too hard, and with this crosswind—”
    â€œHow many real emergency landings have you ever made?” he cut in.
    â€œNone. But I know—”
    â€œI’ve had two,” he said. “ I’m landing the plane.”
    â€œThis is no time for ego!”
    â€œYou’re right. It’s not.”
    Livid, they stared at each other neither wanting to back down. Suddenly, the cabin seemed too small for both of them, and she wished she could put more space between them. If she could just breathe. . . .
    On the verge of tears, she said, “All right, maybe you are more experienced. You land it, and I’ll cut off the engine and the fuel. We’ll need to shut everything off before we touch down. This is gonna take both of us.”
    Cursing, Jake tried the pump again, his hands trembling. When it was obvious how hopeless it was, he sent another expletive flying and slammed his hand into the instrument panel. “Piece of trash! Don’t you ever check your landing gear?”
    â€œOf course I do,” she said. “I’ve never had any problem with it at all! I just had an annual three months ago, and everything was fine.”
    â€œA pilot should know every inch of his plane!”
    â€œI didn’t notice you sticking your head up the wheel well on the preflight!”
    â€œIt’s your plane.” He wiped his forehead again. “Are you sure you weren’t just trying to unload it on some poor soul before you had to foot some major repair bills?”
    Her mouth fell open. “I didn’t even want to sell it! If my father hadn’t died and left me a mountain of debts, you wouldn’t even be here!”
    â€œLucky me.”
    Again, thick silence filled the cabin, and she told herself she wouldn’t cry. She couldn’t do what had to be done if her eyes were blurry with tears. “Look, we have to try to get this plane down without either of us getting killed. Now, if we could just—”
    â€œCherokee 1–2 Delta,” the radio cut in. “St. Clair Unicom.”
    Lynda took the microphone. “1–2 Delta. Go ahead, Mike.”
    â€œWe’re trying to clear the runway, but we need a little time to clear the tarmac, too, so no other planes are damaged. Just hang on for a few minutes. You have