Plague

CHAPTER 37

Samantha thought they couldn’t have found a worse pilot if they had put out an ad for one. He had the smell of alcohol on his breath and the cabin had the distinct odor of marijuana. The pilot concentrated only long enough to get in the air and then lit a joint and took a few puffs.

Agent Donner was sitting behind her and she turned to him and saw that he was a few words away from completing the New York Times crossword. “Is this plane used for drug smuggling?”

“Probably not anymore. Too many busts, too much product lost. But it most certainly was a while ago. Now they have tunnels underneath San Diego and they just bring the drugs up that way.” He looked to the pilot. “Don’t worry about him, though. He’s got a few ghosts in his skull but he’s one of the best pilots I’ve ever met. Well, that’s not true, but he’s competent enough to get us there.” He returned to his crossword.

Duncan glanced to her and then the pilot as the plane dipped down. The pilot was itching his leg. He took back the controls and the plane leveled out.

“I think we’ll die from him before the virus,” Duncan said.

“Unless you know how to fly this thing, I think we’re stuck with him.”

“He looks like he’s nodding off. I think I’ll go keep him company.”

“Good idea.”

Sam watched as he went up to the cockpit and then she pulled out her iPad. She opened Facebook and ran through a few status updates. She realized she hadn’t logged on since almost a month ago.

She read for over twenty minutes and as she was about to log off, her instant messenger dinged. It was Ralph Wilson.

What the hell do you think you’re doing, Sam?

She hesitated, and then replied, Still with Agent Donner and the rest. Heading to Peru as planned.

Why weren’t you on your flight to Fort Lauderdale?

Long story. She hesitated again and glanced around to see if anyone could see what she was typing. Once she felt safe no one could, she wrote, Were you going to quarantine us?

There was a long pause and then, Yes.

Why lie about it? If you would’ve asked me I would have gladly self-quarantined.

I didn’t know that. You don’t really know anyone until you encounter a crisis situation. I didn’t know how you would react and whether Donner would pull rank. Cornell most certainly would have called friends and gotten my order overturned.

You didn’t have to do this.

Yes I did. Where are you right now?

Left Mexico several hours ago. Somewhere over South America.

Sam, I highly recommend you turn around right now. One of you may be contagious.

No one showing any symptoms. Will keep an eye out. I don’t think I could get anybody to turn around if I tried.

Understood. Have to run, someone in my office. One more thing, Agent Donner does not work for the FBI. I don’t know who he is, Sam. Please be careful. I’m urging you again to take the next flight back to the States the second you get a chance. Good luck.

Wait, Ralph? You there? Ralph? You there???????

There was no response and the green icon had turned off. She switched off Facebook and glanced back to Donner who had completed his crossword and was resting his head on the seat, his eyes closed.

The plane jerked hard to the right and Sam was flung against the cabin wall. She looked to the cockpit and saw that the pilot had nodded off for a second and Duncan had grabbed the controls. The pilot was up now and apologizing.

“He’s okay,” Duncan said, “just a little tired is all. We’ll be okay.”

He looked to Sam, and blew out a nervous breath. Mouthing the words, Pray now, to her as the plane began its decent to a runway just outside of Lima, Peru.