Free Fall at Angel Creek, page 18
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Dee said.
“It happens, and when it does, I just have to ride it out. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just tired of it. I want this investigation to end so I can figure out how to go on with my life.”
River separated herself from Dee’s arms, and they drove the rest of the way to the Phoenix airport in silence.
* * *
After taking their seats on the flight to Las Vegas, River said, “Pull your lap belt tight. This is always a very bumpy flight.”
“Why is it always bumpy?”
“Thermal updrafts from the sun’s uneven heating of the desert floor.”
“In other words, because it’s hot?”
“That’s what I said.”
River was truly a nerd about flying. It was kind of cute when she used technobabble like that and assumed Dee knew what she was taking about. Just as River predicted, as soon as they were airborne, the airplane bounced around like they were driving over logs. It reminded Dee of riding in the back of a helo in Afghanistan. Unlike many of her male buddies, she was proud that she’d never hurled in the back, although this plane ride was pushing her right to the edge.
After a firm landing and a walk through the noisy airport with its slot machines, they emerged into the hot desert air. A black limousine with a Relax Air logo on it stood waiting for them.
“This is nice. Think they’d mind if I had a bottle of water?”
“I’m sure they won’t,” River answered.
“So exactly what are we doing here?”
“We’re supposed to meet the FBI guys at the company headquarters, where they’ll serve a warrant for all maintenance documents. We’ll check that the records are complete, take them with us, and fly back to Portland.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
When they arrived at the garish, ultra-modern, glass-walled headquarters building, an attractive young woman in a very snug dress and stiletto heels met them.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Dawson. I’m Giselle, Mr. Franklin’s secretary. If you and your assistant will follow me, I’ll take you to Mr. Franklin’s office.”
River started to correct her, but Dee stopped her. It was better they not know she was a cop right now. Something here didn’t feel right. She would play River’s assistant for now and keep her eyes open.
Giselle took them to the top floor of the high-rise building and into an opulent office decorated with original art, a huge desk, and a panoramic view of Las Vegas. “Please take a seat. Mr. Franklin will be with you very soon.”
Dee glanced around the room. No family pictures, very expensive furniture, and a wet bar with crystal decanters. This guy was a player who liked to show off his money. As she was about to tell River, Lorenzo Franklin came into the room like he was entering a stage. He wasn’t tall, maybe five-foot-six, wore an expensive silk suit with chunky gold rings, and had a manufactured smile of white porcelain veneers that could light up The Strip. A cloud of expensive cologne following him, he looked like he’d come out of central casting for The Godfather.
“Ladies, ladies, welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you visit. Dr. Dawson, what an honor. Would either of you care for a drink?”
“No, thank you. We’re just here to pick up the maintenance records.”
He moved to sit behind his big desk, leaned back, and put his feet on the corner of the desk in an obvious show of his power. Dee tried not to laugh at him.
“Well, you see, Dr. Dawson, that’s where I’m confused. We’ve already released all the aircraft records to the NTSB. I’m afraid you made a trip here for nothing.” He smiled at them with his big fake grin.
He’s lying.
River walked over to the edge of his desk, put her hands wide on it, and loomed over him.
“All records of any mishap aircraft will be immediately surrendered to the National Transportation Safety Board, where they will be impounded for examination. You will produce all records and deliver them to me now.”
“Dr. Dawson, you don’t need to get upset. Please calm down. I can’t give you what I don’t have. It’s as simple as that.”
His smarmy grin appeared again. River locked eyes with him, took out her phone, and dialed a number. She spoke loud and clear. “Agent Farris, are you and your men in the lobby? Very good. I’ll have Detective Rawlings bring you up to the CEO’s office. He would like for you to personally hand him your federal warrant. Then you can begin searching this entire building, starting with his office, until we find the records we need. See you in a minute. Thanks.”
She ended the call and put her phone in her pocket, while still staring at him. “Mr. Franklin, this is your last opportunity to cooperate fully with this investigation, or things are going to happen that you will greatly regret. What’s it going to be?”
“You don’t need to make threats, little lady. Just relax, and I’ll see what I can do for you.”
“Your choice.” River turned to her, “Detective Rawlings, please bring Agent Farris and his men up here to start their evidence search.”
“Yes, Dr. Dawson. I’ll be right back with them.”
Dee ran down to the elevator and punched the button for the lobby. This guy was an ass, but he was hiding something. What possible reason could he have for withholding those records?
* * *
River remained standing in front of Franklin’s desk, waiting for Dee to return.
Franklin spoke quickly, “This really isn’t necessary. Why don’t you call off your dogs, come back tomorrow, and I’ll have everything you want all ready for you.”
“So you do have the records. I don’t think you understand what’s about to happen. If you don’t produce them immediately, I call the FAA Administrator, tell them you’re refusing to cooperate, and they will revoke your FAA Operating Certificate. That means all your planes are grounded, all your flights are canceled, and no more money is coming in. How well do you think that will go over with your investors?”
Fear flashed across his face. “Look. You don’t want to do that, and you don’t know what you’re talking about. We had to cut a few corners when we started up, but everything is good now.”
His delusional thinking stunned River. “One of your aircraft blew up in midair, over three hundred people died, their families are devastated, and you think everything is good now? If you, or anyone in your company, caused this accident to happen, I will find out who’s responsible. I will report your refusal to cooperate to the insurance company, and they will not make any liability payouts until I tell them the report is complete. You’ll be on your own to cover all the damage awards and lawsuits from this accident, which will be in the multi-millions. You’ll probably bankrupt your airline.”
His eyes darted from side to side, and he looked very nervous. He picked up his phone. “Tommy, the accident people are here for the records from flight 402. I’m going to send someone down to you to pick them up. Please give her everything.” He hung up.
“Fine. You win. We have nothing to hide. Just go down one floor, and Tommy, our records manager, will give you want you want. I’ll stay here to talk to the FBI men. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
“Thank you. You know, it doesn’t have to be like this. We’re only trying to figure out what happened to the plane so we can save lives.”
River left his office and walked to the elevator to go down one floor. When she stepped out of it, Tommy was waiting for her and led her to a big room with large file cabinets.
“Flight 402 records are in this cabinet. I’ll get you a box for them.”
He unlocked the file cabinet, pulled the heavy drawer open for her, and left to get a box. River scanned the folder titles, looking for the ones she needed. As she was reaching for a folder, a hot, meaty hand covered her mouth and pinched off her nose. A powerful hairy arm wrapped around her neck, choking her. River fought back as hard as she could, struggling for air, and then everything went dark.
* * *
Dee, Agent Farris, and his three men got off the elevator and walked into the CEO’s office, where Franklin was feverishly shredding papers. River was gone.
“Stop what you’re doing. Where is she?” Dee demanded.
“I don’t know. She’s probably in the ladies’ room.”
Dee ran behind his desk, grabbed his silk tie in her fist, slammed him up against a glass wall, and yelled in his face. “Tell me where she is right fucking now.”
“One floor down,” he choked out.
She ran down the hall, threw open the stairwell door, and flew down the stairs three at a time. Listening for sounds, she heard a muffled noise around the corner, ran to the sound, and saw the back of a big man, his arm around River’s neck and her feet dangling from the floor. Dee drew her weapon and aimed at the center of his torso Take the shot. No. She’s too close to him.
Dee charged him at him full speed, plowed into him like she was sliding into second base, and directed her feet to hit the back of his knees. He crumpled backward to the floor and let go of River as he fell. Dee jumped up, grabbed River, moved her to safety, turned, and pointed her weapon at his heart. She was focused, calm, with her finger on the trigger. Just a tiny pull, and he’ll never hurt River again.
River coughed and croaked out, “Don’t do it, Dee. He’s not worth it.”
This ugly, gross pig had tried to kill River. Just a little pressure on the trigger and she could watch his chest explode in a cloud of red.
The FBI agents ran into the room. “We’ve got him, Detective. You can stand down. Cuff him, Rogers,” Agent Farris said.
Dee moved her finger off the trigger but kept her weapon trained on him. After Agent Rogers flipped him over and handcuffed him, she returned her gun to her shoulder holster and went to River’s side.
River couldn’t speak. She could only rub her red throat and cough.
Dee gathered her into her arms. “Oh, my God.”
She turned and shouted to Agent Farris, “We need an ambulance now!”
River’s voice was raspy and weak. “Get records.” She pointed to the open file cabinet drawer.
Dee went to the cabinet and pulled out the thick folder of maintenance records. Just then, she heard the sound of sirens and looked out the glass wall to see an ambulance pulling into the driveway. “Can you walk, River?”
She nodded and Dee helped her stand up. River turned to look into her eyes, reached for her, and pulled her into an embrace. She held her tightly, her lips next to Dee’s ear. “Thank you for saving me.”
Chapter Twenty-four
After the doctor took X-rays and examined River, she and Dee sat together in the waiting area. Dee was holding her hand and wouldn’t let go. Her neck was sore, it hurt to swallow, and she was getting some wicked bruises on her throat.
The doctor came out to talk to her. “Good news. The X-ray doesn’t show any damaged vertebrae in your neck, and the swelling in your throat will gradually go away. Keep ice on it, take the pain meds, minimize talking, and come back if you have any trouble breathing. I don’t want you to leave town for at least twenty-four hours. I’d really like to admit you, just to keep an eye on you tonight.”
River shook her head. “No, thanks,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor turned to Dee. “And you’re staying with her tonight? Keep checking on her every hour.”
“Yes. I’ll be with her, and I’ll check on her. Thank you so much.”
He looked at River. “You’re going to be all right, but you had a very close call. The nurse will come back with your discharge papers. Please take care.”
As they left the hospital, Dee turned to her. “Can I get you anything?”
River nodded. “Ice cream.”
Dee chuckled. “You almost get your head torn off, and now you want ice cream. What flavor?”
“DQ.”
“Dairy Queen soft-serve ice cream?”
River nodded.
“Excellent choice. We’ll stop at a DQ on the way to the hotel. I got us a room at one off the Strip, where it’s not so noisy.”
After they got into the car, River reclined her seat and closed her eyes, exhausted.
“We’re here, River. Are you okay to walk?”
She nodded, got out of the car, and followed Dee into the hotel. Still shaky, she found a chair to sit in while Dee got the room key. Her eyes drifted closed, and she shuddered, feeling the hairy arm choking her again. She jumped when Dee touched her shoulder and saw a concerned look on Dee’s face.
“Come on. Our room’s ready.”
After Dee opened the hotel room door, they went inside, she put the ice cream in the minifridge and then came over to River and pulled her into a gentle hug. She didn’t say anything, just held on to River, then she held her tighter. “I can’t believe I almost lost you.”
River returned her embrace. Feeling the solidness of Dee’s body pressed into her own confirmed what she already knew. She was in love with Dee and wanted to be with her from now on. Everything thing else in the world seemed meaningless. Her work, her reputation, airplanes, other people—it all meant nothing if she didn’t have Dee.
They slowly separated, then sat down to eat, the cold Dairy Queen ice cream a great relief to her sore throat.
“Does it hurt bad?” Dee asked.
“Not too much. The pain pills help. Could I have some of your fries? I guess I am hungry.”
“Here. I got you your own order. We have to keep ice on your neck, or you’re going to have some very nasty bruises.”
River was overcome with fatigue, plus she felt just the edge of a migraine starting. When she got up to get her medicine, she felt light-headed. “Crap.” She had to sit down again.
“What’s the matter? Do you need something?”
“I just need to sleep, and I need my migraine medicine. Could you please get it for me?”
“Sure. Let me help you.”
Dee brought her the meds, put her arm around her waist to steady her, and guided her to the bed. She turned down the covers, sat her down on the bed, then knelt to take off her shoes.
“Will you lie down with me?”
“Of course. Just give me a minute.”
River heard Dee check the hotel room door locked, brush her teeth, and change into a tee shirt and gym shorts. After she closed the drapes, she finally climbed into bed with River, where she moved over and curled up next to her back. Dee put her arm around her waist and scooted next to her like a spoon.
“Is this all right? I’d like to hold you.”
“Yes. You feel perfect. I’m fading fast. Good night.”
She took Dee’s hand and held it between her breasts. Dee’s body felt like Heaven next to hers. As she drifted off to sleep, she knew she was safe in Dee’s arms.
* * *
Dee stayed awake most of the night guarding River. She tossed and turned, and cried out in her sleep twice, but Dee was able to get her back to sleep by gently rubbing her back. When Dee closed her eyes, the image of River being choked brought her to the edge of panic. Having her hand next to River’s heart, where she could feel her steady heartbeat and her deep breathing, helped her calm down.
Even though she was watching over River, the smoldering desire was still there. She wouldn’t do anything about it, though. She simply relished the feel of River’s body next to hers, but she needed to figure this out.
Maybe River was right that she had to go through the grief process before they had any chance at being together. But she was certain about one thing. She wanted to explore the possibilities with River. She had no idea how to make it work, but she was determined to find a way. Maybe when the investigation was over, which should be soon, they could talk.
River would figure out what caused the accident, and then Dee would go see Naomi’s family, and she’d attend counseling with Dr. Lopez. She needed her work back, her life back, and maybe even a future with River. She would walk through Hell to get it.
After Dee finally fell asleep, she sensed movement against her back. It was warm and sensuous, with light pressure on the back of her legs. She moved her own hips in reply. A soft hand moved across her waist, pulling her closer, then inching lower. Hot breath blew on her neck, and firm breasts pressed into her shoulder blades. Her consciousness slowly came to the surface, and she was fully aware of River touching her, wanting her. Ignoring what River had told her earlier, she put her hand on top of River’s and guided it to where she needed it most, her throbbing center.
Dee was already soaking wet and swollen with desire. River would soon discover the depths of her arousal when she slipped her fingers under the waistband of Dee’s shorts. She continued lower, lightly tugging at Dee’s hair, then tracing her fingertips achingly slow across her hard ridge. Dee ground her bottom into River’s lap. When River caressed her slick flesh, Dee rolled onto her back, pulled off her shorts, and opened for her.
River drew circles on her skin, then moved lower, teasing her entrance. Dee raised her hips. “Kiss me.”
River kissed her deeply as she slid her fingers into her. She was deliberate, slow, and fully in control. Dee’s desire made her grind her own pelvis into River. Her hungry kisses matched the rhythm of River’s pummeling fingers. She was taking Dee to the moon. She wanted River everywhere, all over her, in her, and gripped her torso as River’s pace increased. She trusted her and clung to her as River took her over the edge of a cliff. River was relentless and wouldn’t stop, even after wave after wave of pleasure made her shudder like a rag doll.
“Stop, please. I have to catch my breath.”
River stopped her strokes but kept her fingers deep inside her. “You’re so beautiful.”
