Page 145 of Enthrall Shadows
I glanced over at Lotte.
Reese noticed me staring at her. “We go back further. That counts, surely?”
The difference between her and Lotte was miles apart.
Charlotte’s thoughtful nature was refreshing in all this drama.
Reese stepped closer. “Think about all the good I’ve done. Saved chimps in Africa. Manatees in Florida. The work we’re doing here is crucial to save the panthers. I’ve put myself second in everything.”
“You’re doing good work,” I said. “But there’s another way to handle this.”
Chopper blades cut through the air, echoing around the clearing.
Reese observed the bright landing light.
“That’s my ride,” I said.
“You’re leaving!”
“Yes.”
“You don’t want to stay longer?” She was flummoxed. “We’ve hardly talked.”
“I run a corporation.” I waved at the pilot. “Work that can’t be done from here.”
“What’s one more chopper disturbing the peace, right?” she said.
“Well, we would have gone by boat.” I gave her a wry smile.
She’d believed she’d outsmarted us.
“Come visit me in L.A.,” I said.
“Why?”
“I’ll give you my answer on your dilemma.”
“Summoning me to California?”
I gave a nod and threw T.S. Eliot’s quote back at her, “‘Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.’”
I motioned for Lotte to join me, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the helicopter.
“Don’t look back,” I told her.
She followed my lead and bent over as we made our way beneath the spinning blades to reach the passenger door. I opened it for her and helped her climb into the back seat before quickly joining her.
I helped secure her seatbelt and slid a pair of headphones onto her head before placing a set on mine.
“Good to go,” I directed the pilot.
Gravity pulled us down in our seats as the helicopter rose sharply, banking left as we flew up and over the Everglades. The dusky view of endless trees surrounding the marshland was spectacular. We went higher still, seeing the greenery blanketing the land below. To our far right, a flock of pelicans flew toward the sunset.
Lotte had an expression of wonder on her face. I returned a nod of understanding.
“Thank you for being here!” I called out to our pilot.
He gave me a wave. “Pleasure, sir.”
