Private Rogue

Chapter 72

I could see Justine standing beside a white Toyota Sequoia as we came in to land at Teterboro Airport, a small facility for executive jets located in New Jersey. Even at a distance, I sensed her anticipation, and shared it. I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms. In contrast, Joshua Floyd was impatient and irascible, which was completely understandable in the circumstances. I was coming home to someone I loved while his family were in the clutches of evil.

The pilot of the G650 brought the aircraft down and there was the slightest bump when the wheels kissed the runway. We taxied to the stand where Justine waited, and after a quick check by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, we were allowed off the aircraft. I thanked the pilot and co-pilot, and hurried down the airstairs.

“Jack!” Justine ran over.

She looked exhausted, but she was beaming. My own wide smile made my cheeks ache. She rushed into my arms and I held her close. She whispered my name over and over and we kissed again and again.

Joshua Floyd came down the airstairs slowly, a frown on his face. He shivered as he looked around the desolate snow-covered airport. This wasn’t much of a homecoming for a man who’d been through hell, and it was made worse by the absence of his family.

“Justine Smith, this is Joshua Floyd,” I said. “Captain Floyd saved my life.”

Justine shook his hand. “I don’t know how I can thank you.”

“Find my family,” he replied flatly.

She looked at me awkwardly.

“We will,” I assured him.

The back door of the Toyota opened and Mo-bot stepped out. She wore a thick ski jacket, hat and gloves. In contrast to Justine’s elegant trench coat, Mo-bot was dressed for substance over style. She barreled over and gave me a hug.

“It’s good to see you alive, Jack,” she said. “We’re set up at the New York office.”

“This is Joshua Floyd,” I told her.

She and Floyd shook hands.

“We’re going to get your family back, Mr. Floyd,” Mo-bot said.

“Mr. Morgan,” the pilot called.

I turned to see him holding out the flight case Dinara had given me, and ran back to take it.

“Thanks,” I said.

I joined Mo-bot, Justine and Floyd who were heading for the SUV.

“What have you got there?” Mo-bot indicated the case.

“Clothes mostly, some notes, but most importantly a satellite phone,” I replied. “I want you to take a look at it. It was on the aircraft that belonged to the men hunting Captain Floyd. There might be something useful on it.”

“Hand it over,” Mo-bot replied. “I’ve got my laptop and some of the gear in the car. I might as well get to work.”

I put the case down by the back of the Toyota, opened it and took out the satellite phone.

“Iridium 9575,” Mo-bot remarked as I handed it over. “Good phone. Should have a lot of history, unless the last owner wiped it regularly. And even then there are ways to recover data. I’ll get to work.”

She hurried round the Toyota and got in the back seat. Floyd sat beside her.

Justine opened the trunk and I lifted the flight case inside. I closed the tailgate and, as I turned, she embraced me. Her eyes glistened.

“I never want to lose you again,” she said. “Promise me?”

“I’ll do my best,” I replied.

She stared at me, but didn’t say anything. After a moment, her expression softened.

“That will have to do,” she said, before kissing me.