Flying Too Close to the Sun by George Jehn (novels for beginners .txt) 📕

She nodded her head in agreement. “Another important thing we haven’t decided is whether or not to bring in the copilot. Mull that over.”

“What’s this guy like? Is he smart or the type who thinks he has to study for a urine test? Do we need him? Can we trust ‘em?”

“I don’t trust him one bit,” she said, while handing him a small spiral pad.

“What’s this?”

“I jotted down my ideas in it. When you’re done, destroy it. I feel uncomfortable having it around David.”

“No problem,” Juni said, placing the small pad in his trouser pocket. “I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.”

“When?”

“It won’t be long.”

They shook hands and Christina immediately returned to the house, while Juni lingered so they wouldn’t show up together. Leaning against the wooden boardwalk railing he fired up another Marlboro while staring out at the cobalt expanse of water that looked like an unfurled tapestry. Juni was uncertain of his involvement with this attractive lady as her waspy appearance rekindled old memories of his fellow students during his college days. A number had initially sought him out, fascinated with his background. He responded with some bogus accounts of life growing up on the dirty Brooklyn streets, but belatedly realized this information was being used against him. Instead of the anticipated interest came overheard remarks like lowlife, greaseball and wop. Between those comments and what happened at the bank he found it difficult to trust this kind. He’d be willing to bet by now almost every one of those college and bank pricks had been divorced once or twice and had difficulty sleeping or serious stomach or heart problems. His insides began churning and he became angry. “With or without this job some day I’ll have more than all of them,” he mumbled to himself as he flipped his butt onto the beach sand and returned to the party.

Christina felt Juni would come aboard, but wished she knew for certain because the time factor was crucial. If he didn’t, she’d hopefully be able to find someone else. She purposely avoided him and spent the remainder of the day and early evening with David. For dinner there were platters of antipasti, baked lasagna and stuffed fettuccini, followed by four types of charcoal grilled, mouthwatering Italian sausage served over a bed of fresh, sliced home grown tomatoes. After dinner came the usual card game, this time under the open air tiny, illuminated hanging paper lanterns. Goodbyes were exchanged about an hour later and while driving home a pensive David asked, “Where did you go while I was playing ball? I couldn’t find you.”

“I walked to the beach to try and clear my mind. This epilepsy stuff is like a ticking time bomb.”

David said nothing. Once home, he immediately led her into the bedroom. “It was nice today. My family members are getting to know you and a few mentioned you looked very hot in your bikini. But you would look even better with everything off,” he said as he began unfastening her blouse.

Christina didn’t hear another word. The money was the only thing on her mind.

.     .     .

On her next workday Christina overheard a conversation taking place in the Boston operations office between two ground supervisors that alarmed her. A number of passengers’ valuables had been reported missing and they discussed how a sting was being set up because they believed it might be an inside job. She couldn’t tell if they were speaking about Boston or LaGuardia and attempted to eavesdrop, but was unsuccessful. She went to the pay phone and immediately called David’s cellphone, the one she was paying the bills for. When he picked up she told him what they were planning.

“I don’t think Boston people would be discussing anything that happened in New York,” he told her.

“They might if the passengers boarded in Boston.”

“Thanks for the info.”

On the final leg she maneuvered the big jet into the gate at LaGuardia, but David wasn’t visible and Christina arrived home a bit later. The place was deserted. She rushed to the door when she heard him drive up. “I hope you didn’t try anything.”

“Not after what you said. But when things die down, I will.”

Hearing this she told him, “I won’t have anything more to do with your scheme, including warning you.”

“Then how the hell are we going live?” an angry David asked. “If you’re forced to go on disability, then—”

“Tell me about it. I’m the one with the rent, alimony and child support and still have to pay off all this other stuff you bought,” came her equally angry retort pointing to the surround sound system. “You could start to help by chipping in.”

David looked into Christina’s eyes and she stared back with intensity like it went clear through him. Nothing more was said. He wondered if she was tiring of him or had found someone else.

.     .     .

Christina and Erik flew together after the picnic, but she said nothing until the seven o’clock shuttle was at the gate. Woody once again left and Christina told him to lock the door. “I discussed the plan with the guy I want to bring in. He’s originally from Brooklyn, now living in Jersey. His name is Juni Rosario and I believe he’s got the needed savvy you and me lack. He’s gonna scout the area and then we’ll probably get together to finalize everything. He wouldn’t give me a specific timeframe but knows this is time sensitive. He asked questions, one of which was whether to include Woody. We’ll discuss Woody when we get together.”

“Did he commit?”

“No. But I got the impression he would.”

Glancing at his watch, Erik added, “If our decision is not to include Woody, I don’t want him recalling anything out of the ordinary. It’s best not to have any more cockpit discussions. If we need to speak let’s do it in another out of the way place before or after work.

“I agree.”

When