Page 81 of Tango

“That blue blouse you like, a skirt and a jacket.” I stood so quickly I banged my head and Moore was suddenly at my side.

“Sir, you can’t be back here,” the flight attendant started to say, but Moore whispered something, and she slipped away with the cart.

“Where’s Doc?”

“He’s just paying for something.” There was a pause. “Ty, you’re starting to scare me.”

“I don’t mean to, but Ivy, do you have your earbuds?”

“Yes.”

“Slip one of them in your ear and put your phone in your purse.”

“Okay.” I heard some rustling, and a moment later I could hear everything around her. Classic Apple ear pods picked up all the background noise and then some. “Now what?”

“I need you to quietly tell Doc ‘code yellow.’”

“What—” she started to say but must have thought better of it. “Okay, one second.” Despite the roar of the engine, I could still hear her heels click as she walked. I could hear her whisper something.

“Very well,” Doc responded, his voice clear and cool as could be. “Time to leave, Ivy.”

“Don’t hang up,” I warned her as I waved at Cole to come over. I held the phone away from my mouth as he leaned in. “She and Doc were just at Zack’s, and she’s wearing the exact outfit Hill mentioned.”

His face paled as he slipped into work mode. “Keep her on the phone. Doc knows not to go home but to head to Zack’s.”

“Ivy—”

“Reid, why are you heading back this way?” She used Doc’s first name, and I could tell she was nervous.

“Can’t use the back roads without backup,” he explained. “There’s too many blind spots and high rises.”

“Ty,” her voice was off, but she kept it calm, “I would feel a whole lot better if you could explain to me what’s going on.”

“Hill’s in custody,” I knew better than to lie, “but before he went, he told me he had someone watching you. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I want to be sure.”

“So, he could be lying?”

“Maybe, but he knew what you were wearing and where you just ate.”

“Okay,” her voice became muffled then went clear again, “tell me what to do.”

“For right now, stay on the line and do what Doc tells you.” When I turned back around, Cole and Mark had the few scattered passengers from the back moved toward the front of the plane. A few of our guys were on their phones.

“The pilot’s a buddy of mine.” Cole gave a quick nod toward the flight deck. “He’s okay with the shuffle. Told him we just needed some space and didn’t want to disturb the passengers.”

“Ty?”

“I’m still here.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m about thirty-two thousand feet up and headed your way.”

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen.” The male flight attendant’s voice came on. I’d seen him in the first-class section earlier. “I’m sure by now you’ve noticed the big grizzlies in the back.” He made light of our size, and a few passengers turned around and laughed. “Please don’t be alarmed. They are US military heroes.” The crowd clapped with appreciation.

“We’d like to thank the passengers who kindly gave up their seats to give them a little room while they sort some things out. So, while they work, they’d like us to treat you to a drink or two and a meal on them.” Again, the crowd cheered and hooted. “Ladies, think of it as a blind date with a handsome soldier, and gentlemen, you just kick your feet up and enjoy the beer these big guys can’t.” Mark joined in on the laughter with that one.

“There’s never a dull moment here on American Airlines,” the attendant warmed to his role, “whether it be the roller coaster ride of turbulence or the GI Joe hunk of the month calendar in the back.”

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