Page 1 of Final Approach
ONE
OCTOBER 5
Air Marshal Kristine Duncan leaned back in her seat, her eyes skimming over the sunrise outside the Airbus 319’s window. Minutes ago, they left the Lake City, North Carolina, airport and had just leveled out at cruising altitude after a smooth climb. When the Lake City field office opened a little over two years ago, she’d taken the offered position without hesitation. Moving away from Asheville had been a good thing. In many ways.
The hum of the aircraft was a familiar comfort, but it was a smaller craft than she usually flew, with only one aisle and three seats on either side. She and her friends were about halfway back in the main cabin. Not her favorite seat, but she wasn’t complaining.
This was her last flight as an on-duty air marshal for the next two weeks. Vacation with fun and sun was on the horizon. She went through her usual flight check, scanning the passengers and the luggage being brought on board and noting those traveling with her.
Lainie Cross had already fallen asleep in the middle seat, her head tilted slightly to the left. How the woman could sleep like that was beyond her. In the window seat, Jesslyn fiddled with her new camera. The excitement on her normally reserved features made Kristine smile. She’d just gotten into photography, and her husband, NathanCarlisle, had purchased the Canon R5 Mark II for her birthday along with two very nice lenses. Kristine couldn’t help wondering how much that had set him back. Detective Tate Cooper and his wife, Stephanie, had settled in two rows up and had their heads together, talking quietly.
“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Jesslyn said, leaning forward, her voice low. “How long have we been planning this? Six months? It felt like six years to get to this point.” She had her red hair pulled into a casual ponytail with a few stray tendrils curling around her temples. A smattering of freckles crossed her nose and fanned out over her cheeks. “Ten days at an all-inclusive resort in Key West, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing—”
“I’m not parasailing,” Kristine said. “No way.”
Jesslyn raised a brow at her. “But you love to fly.”
“In a plane. With a skilled pilot—or two. Or frankly, myself flying. With safety protocols in place. Not at the end of a rope attached to a boat with a driver who may or may not know what he’s doing.”
“Could be a she.”
“Exactly. And neither of them may know what they’re doing.”
Jesslyn laughed. “You’re still taking flying lessons?”
“I am. It makes me feel like I have more control.”
“You’ve been doing that forever. Don’t you have your license yet?”
“Just have to take the test.” Her heart pounded at the thought.
“And when are you doing that?”
“I don’t know.” The truth was, she’d been putting it off ever since she’d had an issue with her first attempt. Something she’d not shared with anyone for a multitude of reasons.
Her tone must have conveyed her desire to terminate the subject because Jesslyn went back to her camera with only a raised brow.
Kristine looked over her right shoulder and across the aisle to see Kenzie King and Cole Garrison engrossed in a travel guide, plotting their adventures—and probably their wedding—while James, Lainie’s husband, was lost in the latest bestselling thriller by Kate Angelo. Kristine drew in a deep breath, taking in the atmosphere ofanticipation and relaxation. It was a hard-earned break from their often hectic lives. With the exception of Lainie, who was a physician’s assistant, they were all in some form of law enforcement, and the last couple of years had been chaotic. Thankfully, the last six months had been “quiet.” Or at least “normal” for them and their occupations.
Her gaze drifted across the aisle and back one row, where a man sat immersed in his notes. FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross. Smart, dedicated, and definitely too handsome for anyone’s good. His blond hair was slightly long, but not long enough to hide his green eyes from her. His five o’clock shadow was making an attractive appearance on his usually clean-shaven features. She and Andrew had known each other for a while now, but it was only lately that they’d acknowledged they wanted to get to know each other even more. She had to admit spending time with Andrew on a sandy Key West beach sounded like an amazing adventure. If she could just get past her fear. She’d avoided romantic entanglements most of her life simply because she was afraid that would entail giving up a lot of control over her life. She cleared her throat and pushed the thoughts aside, wishing she could dump her baggage once and for all.
Maybe one day. Her friends who were all pairing up at the speed of light didn’t seem to have her issues and were offering her hope that maybe her perceptions of romantic relationships were wrong. That she wouldn’t be giving up control of her life but sharing it. It was a nice thought, she just wasn’t sure it was realistic.
Andrew looked up and caught her gaze. His soft smile stole the breath from her lungs. And then there was that. Every. Single. Time. She forced herself to smile back before returning her gaze to the other passengers, studying the ones she could see. All seemed well as, thankfully, it usually was. So why were her nerves itching?
“Come on, Kristine.” Jesslyn reached across the still-dozing Lainie and nudged Kristine’s arm. “Relax.”
“I’m trying,” she said. “Seriously. It’s hard, though.” She forced her features into a serious expression. “But keep your camera ready.Nathan may decide to cut loose and dance down the aisle or something.”
Jesslyn smirked and Kristine laughed. That was about as likely as below-zero temps in the Keys.
The laugh felt good. It was a bubble of normalcy in the midst of a tension Kristine couldn’t shake off. She glanced around the cabin, her trained eyes scanning the other passengers once more. Most were absorbed in their own worlds. Sleeping, chatting with seatmates, reading, snacking, and trying hard to keep restless children occupied.
Once she connected to the plane’s Wi-Fi, she sent a text to her brother and sister.
On the way to Key West. I’m looking forward to the vacation, but wish the three of us could have some time together. Look at the calendar for next year and pick a date, okay? Take care and talk soon.
Emily and Ethan were twins and were six years younger than her thirty-two years. She’d been looking after them since their mother’s death sixteen years ago and loved them fiercely.
