Missing Read Free

mind.
    “ We will be fine. I think we can get up over it before it hits land. Doesn’t look it will be here in at least thirty minutes, so we can easily be up and over it before then.”
    “ There are still two planes ahead of us.”
    “ Still not a problem.”
    John knew Pete wasn’t convinced. If they were taking off now, yes, there wouldn’t be a problem. The problem was that he didn’t have any idea how fast the storm was coming.
    For the next few minutes, they were both quiet. John knew Pete was worried about the storm. Depending on how fast the two planes ahead of them took off, would depend on how fast they could get up in the air. There were at least six planes waiting to land, so he knew it would still be a few more minutes before they could take off.
    Yes, it was dangerous to fly in a lightening storm. Planes have gone down before, but he was confident they would be able to get above the storm before things got dicey. Yes, it might be tight, but John still wasn’t worried. He had flown many times in storms and he had always gotten the plane to its destination safely. He had no doubt he would again today. Besides, Julie was waiting on him. Nine more hours and he would be home permanently.
    Ten minutes later, John looked out the side window one last time. He took a deep breath. This would be the last time he would see Heathrow airport, unless they came over on a vacation trip. That was a good idea. He would like to show Julie all the things he had seen here on his time off, when he had hours and days to kill before he got a return flight. He had seen a lot in London, but there was still a lot more to see. He was sure Julie would love what he had come to love here. Yes, he would bring her here for a vacation. Hopefully, sometime soon.
    As he faced forward again, it was now their turn. He taxied onto the tarmac, got the plane into position, and then began revving up the engines.
    “ DAC 3351, you are now cleared for takeoff. Be cautious of incoming storm and turbulence on takeoff,” the control tower said.
    “ DAC 3351, cleared for takeoff. Confirmed,” repeated Pete.
    The air traffic controller watched as the plane began picking up speed as it moved down the runway. He watched as the plane slowly began to rise. It almost seemed as if it was going up at a 90-degree angle, although he knew it was just an optical illusion. Soon the plane was out of sight. Looking back down at the screen he watched as the plane continued west. Soon, it was far enough away and he turned his attention back to the flights ready to take off and those ready to land.
    A few moments later, the traffic controller looked on the radar for DAC 3351. He was worried about the incoming storm. It was getting close. Several planes were now on hold to take off. Planes waiting to land were getting priority to be able to land before the storm hit. Still, he was sure DAC 3351 was gaining enough altitude. At the speed he was going, he was sure the pilot would get above the storm before it hit land. Smooth sailing, he whispered as he watched the plane get closer to the end of his radar.
    In the cockpit, John Murphy was continuing to get the plane to a higher altitude. The storm was now just ahead of them. The clouds were dark and menacing. However, he wasn’t worried; he was almost above it now. He looked at the altitude meter and knew it wouldn’t be much longer.
    Glancing out the side window, he saw they were now over the Channel. A few more minutes and they would be out of danger. He held his breath as the plane flew into the top of the dark clouds.
    Ten minutes later, DAC flight 3351 disappeared from the radar screen.

CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    EARLY FRIDAY MORNING
    WASHINGTON, DC
     
    James Fitzpatrick opened the door to his office. His secretary, Patty Howard, was already at her desk. Somehow, she always managed to beat him into the office. Today, she was here earlier than normal. So was he. He wondered how she knew he was coming in early. He