Freed (Fifty Shades as Told by Christian #3) - E.L. James Page 0,13

orchard in the fall. For a moment I’m transported to a happier time, when I’m hassle free, and it’s just me and my girl. “Hey, baby, wake up.” I nuzzle her ear.

She opens her eyes, and her face, already soft from sleep, glows like a golden dawn. “Good morning,” she says, and runs her thumb across my lips, then gives me a chaste kiss.

“Sleep well?” I ask.

“Hmm…you smell so good. You look so good.”

I grin. It’s just a well-tailored suit. “I have to go into the office early.”

She sits up. “Already?” She glances at the radio alarm. It’s 7:08.

“Something’s come up. Sawyer will stick close today and keep the press at bay. You okay with that?”

She nods.

Good. I don’t want to frighten her with the news about Charlie Tango.

“I’ll see you later.” I kiss her forehead and leave before I’m tempted to stay.

The report is brief.

FAA Accident and Incident Reporting System (AIRS)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Data Source: ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT DATABASE

Report Number: 20110453923

Local Date: 17-JUN-11

City: CASTLE ROCK

State: WA

Airport Name: PORTLAND HELIPORT

Event Type: INCIDENT

Mid Air Collision: NOT A MIDAIR

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

Aircraft Damage: SUBSTANTIAL

Aircraft Make: EURCPT

Aircraft Model: EC-135

Aircraft Series: EC-135-P2

Airframe Hrs: 1470

Operator: GEH INC

Type of Operation: AIR TAXI/COMMUTER

Registration Nbr: N124CT

Total Aboard: 2

Fatalities: 0

Injuries: 0

Aircraft Weight Class: UNDER 12501 LBS

Number of Engines: 2

Engine Make: TURBOM

Engine Model: ARRIUS 2B2

ENVIRONMENTAL/OPERATIONS INFO

Primary Fight Conditions: VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

Secondary Flight Conditions: WEATHER NOT A FACTOR

Flight Plan Filed: YES

PILOT IN COMMAND

Pilot Certificate: COMMERCIAL PILOT

Pilot Rating: ROTORCRAFT/HELICOPTER

Pilot Qualification: QUALIFIED

Flight Time Total Hours: 1180

Total in Make/Model: 860

Total in Last 90 Days: 28

EVENT REMARKS

ON JUNE 17, 2011, AT APPROXIMATELY 14:20 PT, AN EC-135, N124CT, OWNED AND OPERATED BY GREY ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS INC, HAD A MAJOR INCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS STABLE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY PITCHED AND THE #1 ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT SECURED THE #1 ENGINE WITH THE FIRE BOTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO SEA-TAC ON THE REMAINING ENGINE. #2 ENGINE FIRE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT THE SOUTH-EAST CORNER OF SILVER LAKE. ON LANDING THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE SECOND FIRE BOTTLE AND SHUTDOWN AND EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE PILOT DEPLOYED THE ONBOARD PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER IS EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT ENGINES AND THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE DAMAGE IS SUSPICIOUS AND MAY BE A RESULT OF MALICIOUS INTERFERENCE. THE NTSB WILL REQUIRE FURTHER REVIEW.

In my office, Welch, Taylor, and I pore over the report. Welch’s grizzled face is craggier than ever in the harsh morning light, his expression grim. “At the moment, the NTSB only suspects sabotage, but we should proceed as if there was malicious interference. To that end, we’ve checked through all the CCTV footage at the helipad in Portland and found no suspicious activity.” He shuffles in his chair and clears his throat. “However, there’s an issue in the GEH hangar at Boeing Field.”

Oh?

“Two of the cameras were inoperative, so we don’t have complete coverage.”

“What! How did that happen?” What the fuck do I pay these people for?

“We’re endeavoring to find out,” Welch answers, his voice deep and gravelly like an old car exhaust. “It’s a major breach.”

No shit, Sherlock. “Who’s responsible?”

“There’s a rolling shift system. So, it’s down to four or five people.”

“If they’re found to be negligent, they’re fired. All of them.”

“Sir.” He glances at Taylor.

“At present, we have no leads as to who’s behind this,” Taylor says.

“There’s going to be a forensic examination of the aircraft,” Welch adds. “My hope is that they’ll turn something up.”

“I want more than fucking hope!” I raise my voice.

“Yes, sir.” Both men speak at the same time. Each of them looks contrite.

Hell. It’s not their fault. Grey. Get a grip.

I continue in a more measured tone. “Find out who fucked up at the hangar. Fire them. And as soon as we have an idea of what occurred, I want to know. In the meantime, make sure the jet’s secured and it’s safe.”

“Yes, sir,” Taylor says.

“We’re on it,” Welch growls. He’s pissed. He should be, this has happened on his watch. “The National Transportation Safety Board is all over this and I expect they’ll brief law enforcement as their inquiries continue and, if appropriate, invite them to investigate in parallel. I’ll circle back with the NTSB to confirm this.”

“The police?” I ask.

“No. It’ll be the FBI.”

“Okay. Maybe they’ll find something. Where are we with backup close protection?” I ask Taylor.

“Both Reynolds and Ryan are available and will start today.”

“I want to keep Anastasia out of this. She doesn’t need the worry. And I want to see the shortlist of who might be