Reluctantly he accepted the ring. Holding her hand he bent his head and kissed her fingers, one by one. The warm sensation began where his lips contacted her skin and immediately radiated throughout her body. As he suckled each finger he confessed, “I have made some bad decisions... and done some things I regret in my life... but without a doubt... what I regret the most... is divorcing you.” His penetrating gaze held her emerald eyes captive. “If you tell me there is hope, that one day you’ll be Mrs. Rawlings again, I will wait.”
She didn’t reply. She was busy enjoying the sensation of his lips. It started with her fingers, moved to her hand, arm, shoulder, and by the time he reached the nape of her neck, Claire was moaning and lost to the world around her.
“May I get you out of this wet suit, Ms. Nichols?” He emphasized her name.
She answered heatedly, “Yes... and Mr. Rawlings... there is always hope.”
Text message, from Claire’s iPhone to Harry’s number: THE PLANE IS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FROM IOWA CITY. IT’S A LITTLE AFTER 4. SHOULD BE IN PALO ALTO AROUND 6:15 OR 6:30 PT. She hit send. Then thinking about it more she wrote a second message: THANK YOU FOR PICKING ME UP.
She settled into the plush white leather of the reclining chair and fastened her seatbelt. Closing her eyes she tried to think about Harry; however, her thoughts continually returned to Tony.
The copilot, a woman Claire didn’t know, spoke. The competent voice returned Claire from her daydreams. “Ms. Nichols, we are about to take-off. If you’d like to make any calls or send any messages, please complete them in the next few minutes. Once we are at cruising altitude I will be happy to get you anything you need.”
“Thank you,” Claire read her name badge, “Grace, I think I’m going to try to sleep.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the woman disappeared behind the door to the cockpit.
Claire removed her phone one more time. With an uncontained smile she wrote: THANK YOU FOR A LOVELY WEEKEND. I’M SO THANKFUL I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE WEDDING. Send.
She saw the icon for an incoming message: I WILL BE THERE. Claire frowned. It was from Harry. His normal pleasantries were gone. She knew without a doubt, tonight’s conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. A beep and another message: I HOPE THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY PART OF THE WEEKEND YOU ENJOYED? Her grin returned; the plane was starting to move. She replied: I BELIEVE THERE WERE OTHER PARTS TOO. BUT SINCE YOUR PLANE IS MOVING, I NEED TO TURN OFF MY PHONE -- CAN’T ELABORATE. She hit send and turned her phone to Airplane Mode.
With the seat reclined and a soft light blanket, Claire drifted off to sleep. It had been a long eventful four days. Just before sleep she realized Tony was right about something else: this was a nicer way to fly.
Simultaneously another text message conversation occurred. Interestingly, this one too was volleying between Iowa City and Palo Alto:
IC: WHAT NEW INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE RE: BREAK IN?
PA: BUILDING SECURITY TO SEND ME ENLARGED IMAGE OF PERP - WILL FORWARD AS SOON AS I RECEIVE. NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO BE USED WITH RECOGNITION SOFTWARE.
IC: SEND VIA E-MAIL, EASIER TO ENLARGE ON MY END.
IC: MS NICHOLS WILL ARRIVE PALO ALTO AFTER 6 PT. KEEP HER IN YOUR VIEW UNTIL SAFELY RETURNED TO HER CONDO. ARE YOUR SENSORS IN PLACE?
PA: YES SIR. MS MCCOY JUST EXITED UNIT.
IC: SHE IS GOING OUT OF TOWN.
PA: HER FLIGHT PLAN IS FOR LOS ANGLES WITH RETURN FLIGHT THURSDAY. (Phil wanted to show Mr. Rawlings he knew what was happening.)
IC: KEEP ME CONSTANTLY APPRISED
PA: YES SIR.
*****
Patrick waited by the exit to her terminal. He didn’t know if she had checked luggage or not, but he could follow from a distance. It took some patience, but he had the panel van parked right next to her Honda Accord. The element of surprise was always the best. It wasn’t like he’d ever kidnapped someone before, but he’d watched enough episodes of crime shows to know the necessary tools and form a well thought out plan.
He double checked the monitor. Yes, this was her flight; nevertheless, as passenger after passenger passed, she was AWOL. Didn’t first class usually deplane first?
After the stream of people waned, Patrick walked confidently to the American Airlines counter. “Excuse me,” he said politely. “I’m waiting for a friend. She was supposed to be on Flight 1103 from Iowa. Can you tell me if she made her flight?”
Once Patrick gave the attendant Claire’s information, the man checked his computer. “I’m sorry, sir. We don’t have anyone by that name scheduled on this flight. Perhaps she changed her reservations.”
“Can you check?”
“No, sorry.” The attendant looked disgusted, “Privacy issues, you know? I can’t look in her account. I can see if she’s on another flight scheduled to arrive later today.”
Patrick’s heart raced; damn this was going to be perfect. Maybe there was still a chance. “Yes, please.”
After prolonged scanning, the attendant confessed, “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t see a Claire Nichols on any of our flights. United has two coming in this evening from Iowa City. Perhaps she switched carriers.”
“Thank you.” Patrick huffed as he walked away. Now what?
*****