Page 80 of Love at First Sighting
It’s a safer option across the tarmac than we have otherwise, so we tread carefully, each step and breath full of dread. I like to think that for amateur super spies, we’re doing a decent job, but it isn’t helping my heart rate slow at all.
I go first, checking for eyes on us, and silently push the curtain open. El climbs in and minds the luggage strewn about inside. There’s a large stack on one side and a space along the other wall where we might be able to fit. I pile in after her, and we squish into the space.
I let El crawl into my arms, shielding her with my jacket and the brim of my hat. The cart’s motor roars to life and jerks us to the side. I hold on to El tightly as the luggage cart drives across the tarmac.
“We’re going to be okay,” she whispers.
I nod. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
There’s no way the driver can hear us over the thrum of the motor. Each ridge in the tarmac makes the cart rattle, and at one point, a suitcase tumbles onto our heads. I shield El with my body and take a duffel bag to the gut. When the cart jolts to a stop, we wait to find out what our next steps are.
The curtain slides open with a harsh shriek of metal. It opens on our left, and we hide to the right, shielded by luggage. One of the workers grabs a suitcase near the far end of the cart and pulls it out. There’s a momentary glimpse of my sneaker visible as it pulls away. I yank my foot back, nudging another suitcase. El’s hands shoot to grasp the handle and keep it from toppling over and exposing us.
“Trust me.” She slides to the other side of the cart, carefully hugging the shadowed perimeter, and hides behind thecurtain in the moments between unloading. The workers won’t be able to see her from that angle. She’s safe.
I, on the other hand…
Another suitcase slides over, slowly chipping away at my cover. When the worker leaves, El wiggles out from behind the curtain, drops to the ground, and disappears. I follow El’s route out of the cart and land right behind her, hoping the coast is clear.
I straighten up and look at El, who has found a reflective vest and directional wands.What?I don’t get what she’s doing.
“Hey!” Someone shouts.
Shit.
“Sir, what are you doing here?” It’s an airport worker, wearing the same vest as El.
I freeze.Think. We’ve come too far to get arrested now.
El clears her throat and steps in.
“Sir, you’re looking for the Terra hangar, aren’t you?”
It’s a risk. A huge risk. But if PIS has been having their agents come around here lately and in the past, I must fit right in. The worker in front of us narrows his eyes, trying to place me, but I stare back with confidence. El glares, too.
I straighten the lapels on my suit and secure my hat. “Yes, I am. Sorry. Got a little turned around.”
“Hangar two,” El says.
“It’s three, actually,” the worker corrects.
El nods back. “You’re so right. Thank you. I’ll show him the rest of the way.”
The worker watches us warily as El takes me by the arm and guides me toward hangar three, just a few yards away.
“You are fucking brilliant,” I sigh.
“I know.” She beams.
Each hangar is its own behemoth. There are huge doors that open and allow the aircraft out, but getting in through the front is not an option. We’re going to have to go around. We dart down the alleyway toward a door at the end of the hangar. I don’t spot any cameras, but I’m sure there will be some inside.
Or not.
Who knows how many secrets Ian—or Marcus—truly wants to keep?
Thankfully, there’s no biometric scanner or key card swipe, so El reaches into her back pocket, then jimmies the lock open with a pin. The door pops with a mechanical hum and we slip inside. The motion sensor lights flicker on as we enter.
Except there’s no plane in here.
