and let me go back to doing what I love and what I hope my audiences love. I actually think I’m going to surprise you down the road someday. Isn’t working to turn out something beautiful so much better than clinging to darkness?”
But the questions and clamor from the journalists were becoming overwhelming and Dee instinctively took a step back. “Sure it is. Think about it. But I can see my friend Jessie here is getting nervous, so I believe I’ll have to leave you now. I’ll see that you get those statements by tomorrow at the latest. Trust me.”
“Out!” Jessie was pulling Dee away from the crowd and ducking underneath the body of the plane to drag her toward the FBI vehicle she’d parked on the runway. She glanced over her shoulder but saw that only a few journalists had as yet managed to follow them. “Get in the damn car. I want to get you out of here.”
Dee was already in the passenger seat as Jessie pressed the accelerator. She laughed as the car jumped forward. “This reminds me of when we bolted out of the gates of Kendra’s school and had all those paparazzi trailing behind us. Did I tell you how totally awesome you were that day?”
“Well, don’t think I’m going to do a repeat.” She glanced behind her and saw that the reporters were once more in hot pursuit. “I made a few advance arrangements to ensure I’d get you away from here with absolutely no problem.”
“Really? How are you going—” Then Dee started to laugh as she saw the string of FBI vehicles and police cars ahead of them blocking the storage facility entrance. “Now, that’s totally worthy of you.” She waved at Kelland as he motioned for two FBI vehicles to pull aside so that Jessie could get beyond the barrier and then close it tightly again. The media vehicles screeched to a halt as they saw Kelland walk casually toward them. “The FBI may be getting some very bad press,” she murmured.
“Nonsense. You saw how charming and professional Kelland can be, and he’s totally within his rights. This is a crime scene and they have no right to disturb it. And by the time they get a helicopter out here, I’ll have you safely stashed away somewhere.”
“And I’ll let you do it.” Dee smiled. “For the next four days. I figure it will take that long for me to complete my plans and set up my own exit strategy.”
“Exit strategy?” she repeated warily.
“You weren’t listening to my wonderful press conference. I told them what I was going to do. I just didn’t tell them how I was going to do it. I’m not sure of all the details yet myself, but when I was sitting in that van waiting for you, I realized it was going to have to contain an exit strategy.”
“And are you going to tell me about it?”
“Of course I am. But not right now. I’m going to enjoy these next four days with my good friend because I’m already feeling a little sad…” She leaned back in the seat. “But don’t worry, it will all come together…”
* * *
Palm Desert Airfield
Southern California
Five Days Later
“Will you please tell me why the hell I’m here?” Kendra asked as she saw Lynch walking across the tarmac toward her. “I was supposed to stay late at the school today.” She glanced around the almost-deserted airport. “For that matter, I should ask where I am. My GPS wouldn’t even acknowledge this airport. If you hadn’t given me directions, I never would have found it.”
“I would have tracked you down.”
“Really? Until I got that text from you, I hadn’t seen or heard from you for the last week.”
“You told me you were going to be busy catching up. I aim to please.”
“I was busy. I’m still busy. I’m here, but I don’t know why. I should be working.”
“No, you shouldn’t.” He smiled. “I spent a lot of time pulling strings and making arrangements and I won’t have you spoiling them.” He glanced up at the sky as a C-130E cargo plane that had been on the approach landed and was now taxiing down the runway. “And it looks as if that pilot understands it, too. He’s right on time. Dee will be pleased.”
“Dee?” Kendra’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at the plane with renewed interest. “What does she have to do with that old beat-up cargo plane?”
“Hey, it’s a little old but it’s not