Murder My Love (Kindle Books Mystery and Suspense Crime Thrillers Series Book 3) Read Free Page B

boarding starts on time.
    It's an ancient ritual that gives priority to class, being ruled by arcane, medieval regulations.
    I am in no particular hurry and do not mix well with crowds. I remain aloof and on the side.
    I’ve got plenty of time.
    I go for another cup of coffee. I buy bottled water and today's papers from a kiosk.
    Then I return to the boarding area and plant myself squarely in front of the desk, a couple of feet from Lana.
     
    The time has come to play my Prince Charming routine.
    "May I talk to you?"
    My voice is soft and respectful.
    Lana seems taken aback; she casts a sullen look in the general area from which the sound my voice has come while at the same time she’s ready to unleash a swarm of killer mini-drones in my direction.
    I don't blame her. I take it for granted; it’s the privilege of any beautiful woman.
    It takes a lot of venom to fight back the advances of the male of the species, who proves at times to be more annoying than a fly and less easily swatted.
    I persist, "I couldn't help it, but… without meaning to… hear your discussion."
    She puckers her forehead, suddenly lined with deep, angry creases. It's amazing how this can change her pretty face.
    "Yes?"
    The tone of her voice is brusque. It’s clear she does not want to revisit her unpleasant tiff with the boarding supervisor, while she’s still unaware I don’t represent another problem for her, but on the contrary, I am the solution.”
    So I persist, convinced that sooner or later she’ll relent once she understands my proposition.
    "Am I let to understand…?"
    "What do you want?"
    "That you could not secure a seat?"
    Now we go full circle.
    "On the flight to Paris."
    My last words seem to have a magical effect on her.
    The problem of the seat comes back to the fore of her mind and she changes tack.
    Now, for the first time, she is questioning my intent.
    I look into her mind, "Is it business or pleasure that he does propose?"
    Still, she remains standoffish.
    You cannot blame a beautiful woman for keeping her guards up. Even while she talks business.
    "On the ten o'clock flight to Paris."
    Her ears prick up, which is another endearing quality, and she suddenly remembers to smile.
    "There's been a misunderstanding,"
    I love it when women explain.
    "It's a matter of minutes. I've been promised a seat. I'm waiting to be seated," she repeats eagerly, without much conviction. "It's a silly thing what happened. There was a misunderstanding."
    Her deprecatory laughter makes her almost break into tears.
    "Please forgive me, I forgot to present myself. My name is Greg Turner. You’ve got to believe me when I tell you that I'm not in the habit of striking conversations in public with beautiful and mysterious women. Trust me!"
    I smile.
    She smiles.
    We both smile while she decides to give me five minutes of her time, but at the same time, her smile warns me not to abuse her patience.
    "I never did, before," I mumble softly. "I am a very shy person. I don’t like to be disturbed myself, so I understand your misgivings, please believe me."
    It sometimes helps to be meek. Just don't overdo it and especially don't make a habit of it.
    "I understand perfectly."
    Now she is the curious one. She understands that something can be gotten from me. There is a renewed expectation in her voice; there is a new hope in her eyes.
    She looks at me and she waits.
    For what is to follow.
    "It’s just that I hold in my possession one extra ticket."
    "Oh, really. Is it available? May I buy it?"
    "In first class."
    "Oh, so your offer…?"
    "There is only one problem."
    "Which is?"
    "Your seat is next to mine."
    "This is not a problem, it's a solution."
    We've become all of a sudden best of friends. The rest, what happens after, is up to me. Isn't it always the case, though?
     I show the two boarding passes at the gate and we pass through. We navigate the walkway, go up a narrow flight of stairs and stand at the front of the plane. We're welcomed by a