Claire Gulliver #03 - Intrigue in Italics (30 page)

“It was. I wanted to tell her. I think she would want to know how close we both came to eating poison mushrooms.” Ruth’s voice was low so it only reached Millie’s ears. The rest of the passengers were still boarding and the airline staff was moving up and down the aisles checking seatbelts and helping people stow their possessions.

“Why? So she would worry? So she would blame herself for talking me into going on the trip?” Millie was adamant. “You know Claire’s led a sheltered life. Remember how long it took her to recover from that incident she got embroiled in with your neighbors?” She shook her head vehemently. “No, she didn’t need to hear about any of the problems we had.”

She peered into Ruth’s face. “And don’t you go forgetting and blab, Ruth Clarkson, or..., or I’ll never forgive you.”

Ruth shook her head, sitting back meekly. She and Millie had been friends for a very long time and she knew her well enough to know when she was serious. And she was very serious. Ruth knew they would tell no one about the real adventures at the Retreat and soon they would probably even start to forget what happened themselves.

She reached for her own copy of the airline magazine and turned to the crossword puzzle. That would hold her attention until they were safely in the air, then she would see what movies were going to be shown.

Claire followed the Vantage Airline representative, who happily carried the large box of Murano glassware her mother had bought. Claire carried her backpack and another bag of purchases she had made along the way. She had offered to take her mother’s, so it wouldn’t have to be checked. She had already learned when you flew first class with a VIP status, no one gave you grief if your bag was too big or you carried more than the maximum number of pieces on board.

“This way, Ms. Gulliver.” The young man respectfully motioned her through the crowd clustered around the door waiting for their turn to board.

Claire felt her face flush. She still wasn’t used to this treatment. She felt eyes on her as people obviously wondered who she was and why she was receiving preferential attention. But then she was through the door and down the long corridor of the Jetway, where the young man turned her over to the flight crew, bidding her a pleasant good-bye.

“Have a wonderful trip, Ms. Gulliver. Thank you so much for traveling with us today.” And he sounded like he really meant it.

The attendant took her packages and placed them carefully in a bin before ushering her to the generous sized seat in the front of the plane. Last fall Vantage Airlines had awarded her a VIP status for her efforts in saving their president’s life. This trip was the first time she had used the lifetime pass and she quickly realized it was more than just free transportation, it included personal, caring attention from the airline personnel every step of the way. It made her feel like she was someone very special. She smiled slightly. Of course she was, but who in the world usually cared. And besides everyone was special, weren’t they?

That brought her thoughts back to Jack. They were going their separate ways once again. It seemed to be the story of their relationship. She felt a shiver of pleasure remembering his kisses. The attraction for him could easily escalate, but she held herself back. She didn’t really believe all those stories about people who worked for the CIA, because she knew Jack certainly wasn’t a cold blooded killer. Still, while he wasn’t a glamorous James Bond or even a superman like Bourne, he wasn’t an ordinary person.

She thought about his request that she continue to write to him. It seemed silly knowing he wouldn’t read her letters for weeks, maybe longer if he was undercover, but she knew she would. She wasn’t willing to toss the connection they had away. After all, someday he might retire.

“Would you like a Mimosa?” the flight attendant asked, and at her nod she pulled the tray out of the arm of Claire’s seat and set a frosted glass down along with a little dish of warmed nuts.

Claire sipped the refreshing drink, nibbling at the nuts as the rest of the passengers were seated and the plane prepared for departure. She wished her mother was here. Millie would love traveling in first class. But then there would be lies or difficult explanations about Claire’s special status at Vantage. No, it was good her mother and Ruth had booked their flights on another airline before Claire even decided to join them on this trip. This way they didn’t even know she was in the first class section.

The plane was taxiing out to the runway when the glass and nut bowl were collected and put away. Claire sat back thinking about her mother. She had had a great time at the Retreat. That had been evident. Who knows, maybe she would be willing to take other trips. That would really be good for her. And maybe she’d even accept the internship in New York. After all it would only be for a few months.

Claire relaxed into the plush seat back as the plane hurdled down the runway before tilting sharply, nose up, aiming for the sky.

She didn’t like to lie to her mother. She didn’t want to hide things from her, but as she explained to Jack, her mother worried and worried. Claire didn’t like to give her excuses for more worry. And Jack had been good about it. In all the time he stuck to them like glue in Venice, he never once gave a hint of any of the scary incidences they had shared in their past meetings. She could see both women were very taken with him. She smiled to herself. Now they would both drive her crazy wanting to know how Jack was. Had she seen him? Had she heard from him? When would he be coming to see her?

Well, those were all questions she had herself. She would just wait and see what the answers were.

Jack stood at the window watching Claire’s plane. The motorized Jetway was retracted, leaving the plane isolated on the tarmac for a moment. Then the little tractor with the long pulley contraption on the front engaged and pushed the plane away from the terminal so it could proceed to the runway under its own power.

Once again they had said their good-byes. He wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to develop his relationship with Claire the way he wanted. It seemed like the world transpired to keep them apart. He sighed. Well, he already had his next assignment, but after that, he was determined to pursue a change in his life. He would retire. He would move closer to Claire and he would woo her. She just didn’t know how serious he could be.

He smiled. But she would find out.

“How did you get my name?” The man didn’t seem to want to talk to her.

“James Martino suggested I speak to you.”

Now she had his attention. He looked at her carefully while he drummed his fingers on his desk top. What he saw was a young attractive brunette. Her hair was very short, very modern, spiked on the top. She wore blue tinted frameless glasses, and she was exceedingly attractive. Her clothes were very casual, the sort you saw all the young people wearing, and her backpack seemed to be a part of her person.

“What about?” he barked, very abrupt; he was a busy man.

“Well, you see, I became involved with James and Will and Emily...”

He nodded, waiting for the rest but not offering any help.

She started again. “Well, you see. I don’t have a job. Actually, I don’t even have a life...”

He just stared at her.

She shrugged. “Well, since I needed to find a new career anyway, I just thought..., well I wondered...” She took a deep breath. “I thought maybe I could work for you.”

His expression was incredulous, then he began reciting all the negative aspects of her request. But eventually he had no more to say and she still was sitting there, calmly, in front of him. Her face expressionless, but her eyes were eager.

He sighed. “You have to go through training.”

She nodded.

“It’s very difficult.”

She nodded, harder this time.

“James sent you, huh?”

She nodded again.

“Hell, why would a nice girl like you want to get involved with this?” But he was burrowing in his desk for some forms. Then he picked up his phone and spoke to his assistant.

When Kristen left his office to fill out the forms, accompanied by his assistant, she felt as if she was as good as in.