40

 

Jamie walked to the hangar. A man in a gray mechanic’s jumpsuit drew her attention. He had walked out of the hangar moments before. Maybe he could answer a few questions.

“Excuse me, sir.”

He turned. His skin was brown and wrinkled from time spent outside, but he had incredibly bright blue eyes. “Howdy, ma’am.”

“Hi. One of my friends said he flew a plane in from Ohio. Do you have any idea which one that would be?”

“Sorry, I’m a luggage handler. Just sneaked over here for a smoke break. It’s getting to the point you can’t smoke anywhere anymore. Even outside. Losing our rights quicker than a dog chasing down a rabbit, if you ask me.”

“I suppose so.”

She weaved her way among the planes. Most were sitting empty. There were a few people in the area. A plane engine rumbled to life. It taxied down the runway and took off into the bright Wyoming sky.

Two hangers had planes inside, but no people. In the third, she heard voices, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. She inched closer.

“Looking for something?”

Whirling around, Jamie smiled at the mechanic she’d spoken to earlier. “I’m still looking for a friend’s plane. I’m not sure which one it is.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you looking for it? Are you supposed to be meeting your friend? If that was the case, he should be here. Otherwise you shouldn’t be in the area without clearance.”

“Well, the guard let me through so it must be OK.”

He gave her the once over and nodded. He pointed at a crimson and gray plane. “That one might be from Ohio. I wasn’t here when it landed, but one of the guys told me about it later.”

She gave him a sweet smile. “Well, thanks.”

He nodded and walked away.

She moved towards the plane. Hopefully, she would find something leading to Andrew.

“I want my daddy.” The voice was coming from the hangar area.

She jogged towards it. As she rounded the corner, a little boy ran down the steps of another plane. A hand popped out from the plane, but didn’t catch the boy.

Andrew.

She ran towards him. “Andy, come here. Your daddy sent me to find you.”

The little boy stared, and then ran towards her.

Jamie ran faster.

A man charged out of the plane and scooped up the boy before he reached the ends of the steps. Andrew kicked and screamed as the man dragged him back to the plane’s entrance. The man shook him. “Don’t listen to her. Get in here, kid. Your daddy will be right back. I told you that already.”

He struggled against the man, but he was no match for an adult.

Jamie kept running. “I’m coming, Andy.” As she reached the steps, the man disappeared inside.

She heard the sound from behind too late to react.