Flight to the Horizon, page 16
Now it was the time to face the music, but she wasn’t looking forward to it. During her flying career, she’d never sought the spotlight. She wasn’t interested in publicity or fame. She’d always valued being an excellent pilot, doing a good job, and flying a safe aircraft. She was a dedicated leader who always took care of her crew. Now, she felt uncertain of what to expect when she walked off this ship.
Both Kerri and Janine would be questioned, but she was proud of the way they’d kept their passengers alive and signaled for their rescue. She was also looking forward to meeting Mel’s parents and telling them what a great girl she was.
Everyone would face a big challenge during the next few weeks while the accident was investigated. At least she would be going through this ordeal with Janine. They’d survived at sea, and she was confident they could survive anything.
“Let’s go.”
They left the small stateroom together. She would miss this safe place Stacey Gentry had given them.
A mass of humanity waited for them at the end of the gangway, with camera lights flashing, boom microphones thrust in Kerri’s face, and reporters shouting questions. The tumult overwhelmed her.
A large man came up to her. “I’m from the FAA. Please come with me.” He held her upper arm, indicating that she was going nowhere.
Kerri looked back at Janine and saw her look of surprise. She followed Janine’s line of sight to a beautiful redheaded little girl being held up in the air so she could see over the crowd. That must be Molly. But who’s he?
She looked back at Janine and saw fear on her face.
Oh, my God. That must be Ryan.
Kerri’s fingers clenched into fight fists. She wanted to go over there and beat his smug face in. Company managers surrounded Janine, then led her away.
This was not the hero’s welcome Kerri had hoped for.
A black SUV was waiting for them, and the FAA guy opened the back door for her. Kerri was thrilled to see her old friend, Camille Hughes, sitting in the back seat, and they hugged for a long time.
“We were so worried about you, Kerri.” Camille kissed Kerri’s cheek.
“I’m really glad to see you. What’s going on? Am I supposed to make a statement?”
“Everything’s fine. This is just the normal process for any aircraft mishap. That’s why I’m here. They pulled me off a four-day Hong Kong trip to meet you first, and to help guide you through this maze. I’m a volunteer with our union’s Critical Incident Response Program.”
Kerri let out a big breath.
“Here’s what’s going to happen next. We’re taking you to a private lab for toxicology and drug testing. Do you need more water to drink? Then you see the doc, and after that, we go to your hotel room, where I have fresh uniforms for you and a great hair and makeup lady.”
“No, I don’t need any water, and why do I need help with my hair and makeup?”
“You’re going to have to stand in front of the press and make a public statement. Don’t you want to look your best? And don’t forget, you’re representing all us pilots at Trans Global.”
They pulled up to the rear entrance of a nondescript, windowless building. The FAA man opened the car door, then said something to a woman in a white lab coat.
“Please come with me, Captain Sullivan,” the woman asked.
Kerri followed her, filled out forms, peed in a cup, blew into a breathalyzer, and was stabbed in the arm for a blood sample. This was the protocol for any aircraft accident, but it still humiliated and irritated her. There was no presumption of innocence here. All pilots had to prove they were not guilty.
“Next stop, the doc.” Camille opened a door to another hall.
“I don’t need to see a doctor.” Kerri was starting to get pissed off.
Camille stopped, turned to Kerri, and stood very close to her face. “You need to stow that attitude right now. I understand that you’ve been through hell, but everyone is going to interrogate you before you get through this. That means the FAA, the NTSB, Boeing, our union safety committee, doctors, and our own company management. You need to be one hundred percent cooperative.”
“I know, Camille. I’m just really tired. I need a drink and a quiet hotel room.”
“Kerri, you clearly have no idea what you’re walking into.”
Camille pushed Kerri into a ladies’ restroom, then locked the door. “You’ve been in the news for three days. Every detail of your life is all over the internet. Everyone in the world has seen every picture you ever posted on Facebook, your complete military record, your flying history, even a video of you talking to a kindergarten class about flying—which was great, by the way.”
“Oh, my God. I expected some press, but not this.”
“Kerri, whether you like it or not, you’re a celebrity. You will have zero privacy for the next several months. Everywhere you go, every word you say will be recorded. Therefore, you will not be going to a bar for a drink, now or any time, because someone will take a picture of you drinking. You need to be very cognizant of this fact and of whom you represent.”
“Shit. I don’t need this right now.” Kerri was shaking.
Camille wrapped her arms around her. “Come here, honey.”
After a few moments, Kerri composed herself, washed her face, smoothed out her uniform jacket, and stood tall.
“All right. Let’s get this visit to the doctor over with.”
Kerri walked out of the ladies’ restroom with her head held high. After what she’d survived, she could get through anything.
After the doctor’s exam, they drove Kerri to the crew hotel. Instead of a regular room, they had her in a suite with the hair and makeup lady, who was waiting for her. It felt good to take a long, hot shower and put on a new uniform. Kerri gazed at herself in the mirror, surprised by what she saw. Dark circles under her eyes made her pale skin color appear unhealthy.
“I look like death warmed over,” she told the woman who was scrutinizing her.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get you just like your old self again. I’m Kalani, and I’m here to make you gorgeous.”
“Thank you, Kalani. I don’t need to look gorgeous, but I would like to appear normal again.”
Kerri closed her eyes as Kalani ran her fingers along her scalp and started styling her hair. She tried to relax, but the image of fear on Janine’s face kept returning. Why was Ryan here with Janine’s daughter? What did he intend to do?
Based on Janine’s response when she first spotted him, he was an unwelcome surprise. Kerri’s own reaction to him had startled her. Her instinct to smash in his face with her fists was still very strong. After listening to Janine describe her relationship with him, Kerri wanted to hurt him as badly as he hurt Janine. Men who beat women were worthless human beings who deserved to be in prison.
“How’s that?” Kalani asked.
Kerri examined her image in the mirror. “Wow. You’re really talented. I haven’t looked this good in years. Thank you, Kalani.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Camille went to answer it. The chief pilot of the entire company, Captain Ross Wheeler, walked into her room. Kerri knew who he was, but she’d never met him. He shook hands with Camille, then came over to her.
“How are you, Kerri? I’m so happy you and your crew and passengers are safe.”
His concern felt genuine, and he reached out to shake her hand. Kerri gave his big hand a firm grip.
“I’m glad to be here, Ross. Actually, I’m glad to be anywhere, and thanks for asking.”
“We’ve prepared a draft of a statement for you to read to the press. You can look it over, but I need you to stick to it.”
Kerri read the paper he handed her. It was a standard “thank you for your support” statement and concluded with a line that she would not be able to take any questions, due to the ongoing investigation. “This looks good to me, Ross.”
“So tell me what happened, Kerri?”
Ross sounded sincere, but Kerri was wary about speaking to him. She knew every word she said would be scrutinized and that his priority was to protect the company. She had to be careful not to say anything incriminating.
“We’d just passed the midpoint on our route over the ocean, when I heard and felt a big boom. Then we lost all cabin pressure. While dealing with that emergency, I realized we’d also lost the right engine and that the shrapnel from the engine must have punctured both wing fuel tanks. We were losing fuel, and we didn’t have enough gas to make it to Hilo, so we had to ditch the jet in the water and evacuate.”
“Incredible. Well, we’ll have the opportunity to go into detail later. For now, just read your statement to the press, and then you’ll meet with the FAA and NTSB folks for a few more questions.”
Kerri suspected he knew she was being intentionally vague.
“One more thing. Make sure you’re completely truthful with them. Don’t leave anything out, and don’t try to hide anything. That would be very bad for you.”
This would be the only friendly warning she would get.
“I understand, Ross. Thanks for stopping by to see me. How’s the rest of my crew, and my passengers?”
“They’re all fine. You did a good job. Call me if I can help in any way.”
Kerri took his business card. “Thanks.”
“Kerri, we need to leave for the press conference. Are you ready?” Camille asked.
“Yes. I think I am.”
Kerri wanted to put this behind her, and she wanted to see Janine. She was worried about her. By the look on her face, Janine was surprised and unhappy to see Ryan, especially holding her daughter. Why was her husband here if they were separated? His intentions toward Janine were most likely not good. She’d only glanced at him, and he wasn’t a big guy. Instead, he was very average-looking except for his obviously expensive suit. She still had a powerful desire to smash his face in for what he’d done to Janine.
But she couldn’t allow herself to worry about Janine. She had to appear before the press and make a good impression on behalf of her company and all women airline pilots everywhere. Whenever there was an aircraft accident with a woman pilot flying, people judged all female pilots by her performance, good or bad.
Camille led her to the hotel convention center through the kitchen entrance, so the press wouldn’t see her.
Kerri peeked through a door at the room, which was packed with reporters and television crews. I really don’t care for this.
Camille touched her elbow. “It’s time. Let’s go, and remember to just read the statement.”
They walked out to a dais with a bank of microphones in front of her, and Kerri sat in the middle of a table facing the crowd. She felt like she was part of the Spanish Inquisition. She waited as her boss addressed the crowd.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Captain Ross Wheeler, chief pilot of Trans Global Airlines, and we’d like to welcome you to this press conference. We are so relieved that all the passengers and crew of Trans Global flight 401 are safe and unhurt after their in-flight emergency. Trans Global, the FAA, and the NTSB will carry out a complete investigation. I would like to introduce Captain Kerri Sullivan, the pilot in command of flight 401, who did an excellent job of landing her crippled 767 aircraft on the ocean and successfully completed an evacuation and ditching. Please welcome Captain Sullivan.”
Kerri heard muted applause in the huge room.
After she read her prepared statement, many reporters raised their hands to ask questions.
Ross took the microphone and repeated that no questions would be taken. Then he turned to Kerri. “Let’s go.”
As they were leaving the dais, a reporter shouted, “Captain Sullivan, did you intentionally shut down an engine so you could land on the water and ditch the plane? Why did you do it?”
Kerri stopped immediately. Though she wasn’t supposed to answer any questions, she couldn’t let this egregious remark pass.
She grabbed the microphone. “That’s an insane thing to say. Under no circumstances would I shut down an engine on purpose. It blew up, we had multiple emergencies, and we’re lucky to be alive. Get your facts straight.”
“Come on, Kerri. We need to go now.” Ross took her elbow to lead her off the dais.
As he rushed her out of the room, Kerri heard another reporter yell. “Hey, Captain. The facts are that the engine was operating normally before you shut it down. How do you explain that?”
“What the hell?” Kerri started to turn back to the microphone.
Ross stopped her. “Leave it. We’ll discuss this in the hotel room.”
She knew better than to defy him again. She wouldn’t win this battle.
By the time they got back to her room, Kerri was furious. “Ross, what the hell did that reporter mean when he said the engine was operating normally? How could he possibly know anything about my engines? I need you to tell me right now what’s going on here.”
“Calm down, Kerri. We’re not supposed to discuss anything before the NTSB debriefs you.”
Kerri stood before her boss with her hands on her hips, waiting for him to answer her. She took a deep breath. “Do not tell me to calm down. What the fuck did that reporter mean?”
“All right. Here’s what happened. Flight 401 has been in the news nonstop for the last several days. Someone was able to hack into our aircraft maintenance computer system. They found the tail number of the aircraft and the engine telemetry data from both engines that the jet transmitted automatically right before your emergency. It showed that both engines were operating within normal parameters. The hacker released the engine data to the public.”
“Of course they were. I’d just checked all the engine gauges when we passed the midpoint. They were both fine, but then all hell broke loose. Didn’t the company explain that?”
“Kerri, we can’t officially say anything until the investigation is complete.”
“Well, that’s bullshit.”
“Sorry, but that’s the process. Kerri, you cannot respond when reporters shout questions at you or say outrageous, insulting things to you. You have to stay above the fray. Hold your head up, try to look professional and dignified, because you’re still representing us.”
“I got it. Mind my Ps and Qs and keep my mouth shut.” She sat down in a huff.
Camille walked over and turned on the television. “Let’s see what they’re saying about us today.”
The commentator announced, “Breaking news. Captain Kerri Sullivan, of the mysterious Trans Global 401 flight, denies she did anything wrong with the engines, up until the moment the plane crashed and sank in the ocean. This happened at the news briefing today by her company, Trans Global Airlines.”
“He completely misrepresented what I said.”
“Oh, just wait until all the talking heads jump in with their own bizarre conspiracy theories.” Camille’s words didn’t make Kerri feel any better.
The commentator spoke again. “In happier news from flight 401, here is the last crew member rescued, Flight Attendant Janine Case, reunited with her family. Let’s hear from her husband, Ryan Jackson.”
Kerri kept her eyes glued to the screen to look at this guy and to hear what he’d say about Janine.
He stood before the camera with a single tear at the corner of his eye.
The reporter asked, “How do you feel, Mr. Jackson?”
He paused, looked down, then tearfully replied, “My daughter, Molly, and I are so happy to have Jan back with us. It’s a miracle, and we’re so thankful to God. We just want to go home to Chicago, let Jan recuperate from her injuries, and be a family again. Thank you all for your prayers.”
Kerri was transfixed as she stared at Janine. Her face looked like a plastic mask, with a small, frozen smile and darting eyes. Who was she searching for? Was she looking for an escape route? Worst of all was seeing his arm around her shoulders, his fingers digging into the tender flesh of her shoulder.
Kerri wanted to scream and kill him.
Chapter Eighteen
Janine was trying her best not to panic. The cameras, boom mikes, noise, and crowds made her very anxious.
“Mommy, you’re hurting my hand.”
“I’m sorry, Pumpkin. How about if I pick you up, so you can see better.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Molly reached up to her, and she bent down, picked up her little girl, and positioned Molly between herself and Ryan. She held on to Molly as if her life depended on it. In desperation, she forced herself to do a four-count breath exercise so she wouldn’t hyperventilate.
Just a few more seconds. It’ll be over soon. Hang in there. You can get through this.
If she focused on her mantras and continued to breathe, she knew she’d be all right. She was familiar with the routine of dealing with Ryan. He’d been very clear when he’d warned her to not say anything if asked. And she knew very well the consequences of defying him, which weren’t pretty.
Janine pasted on her well-practiced, modest smile as she stood before the press. Ryan’s strong grip on the top of her shoulder meant he expected her to stand politely and not say a word. She couldn’t help but look for Kerri. She scanned the crowd repeatedly, desperate to find the face she trusted, the face she needed—Kerri’s face.
Janine had asked about her, and the flight attendant managers explained that she was in a different location until the NTSB completed its debriefings. Hers was scheduled for tomorrow morning and would last all day. Maybe she’d get lucky and run into Kerri in the debriefing room.
Ryan squeezed her shoulder hard and said, “Let’s get out of here.”
Janine looked around the crowd one more time, hoping to see Kerri. She wasn’t here. Where was she? Why hadn’t she called? Ryan had confiscated the phone they’d issued to her and monitored all her calls. He hadn’t done anything insane or violent yet, but she knew his viciousness was still there, just under the surface.
They returned to her hotel room, where Ryan bolted and chained the door closed.
