Chapter 4
Kendall stared up into the face of the very handsome—and exceedingly angry—man who was glaring down at her. Swallowing audibly, she turned to look at the FBI agent who had driven her to the airport to see what his reaction was.
Marc swung his gaze from the wide-eyed, stunned-silent woman in front of him to Kevin, whose hands shot up in front of him in a placating stance. “My mission was to escort Dr. Kenneth Rhodes back to D.C. Who made the switch and why weren’t the Saints informed?”
“For absolute secrecy, we had to make a change,” Kevin said. “It was decided at the last minute that Kenneth Rhodes would go back to Louisiana early this morning and we would have you take Kendall to D.C.”
Kendall watched in part fascination and part fear as the pilot turned sideways, to face the agent. As large as he was, becoming enraged sent power pouring off him. All male…completely male. As fast as the thought flew through her mind, she forced it out. Ugh! He might be totally unlike the academics I’m around all day, but someone like him would never be my type…and I would never be his. Irritated that that thought bothered her, she lifted her hand to her head, rubbing her aching brow. The headache from the night before had abated but was now threatening to reappear.
Marc dropped his gaze back to Kendall, observing her slight motion and pinched brow. As concern overtook his anger he softened his voice as he asked, “Do you still have a headache?”
Feeling the sudden change in his demeanor, she lifted her eyes and lied, “I’m fine.”
Placing his hand on her shoulder, he turned her gently toward the office at the side of the hangar, moving next to her as he guided her along. Looking over his shoulder, he pierced Kevin with a glare and jerked his head, indicating the agent needed to follow. Entering the office, Marc ushered Kendall to a chair before moving to a water cooler. Allowing herself to be shepherded, she watched as he filled a paper cup with water before he walked back over to kneel in front of her. “Here,” he said, his voice soft and low. “Take your pills.”
Not sure what else to do—and besides, they would help—Kendall obeyed, her eyes still jumping between the other occupants in the room. She missed his comforting touch when he stood, letting go of her arm.
Marc turned back around to face the agents in the room. “Agent Pierce. My company was hired to fly Kenneth Rhodes. All the information given to us by the FBI supported this. I want to know why there was a change and why my company wasn’t informed.”
Kevin, his hands still up in defense, replied, “Calm down and I’ll tell you. We got word that there was a breach at the NCBRT in Louisiana. Department of Homeland Security still wants to talk to him but he flew back in the middle of the night. In his place, this Dr. Rhodes is the one DHS wants in D.C. pronto.”
Marc swung his eyes back down to the pale woman still sitting in the chair, and rubbed his hand over his face. She looked up at him, uncertainty written plainly on hers. Looking back, he said, “Agent Pierce, I have a Cessna Skylane. It’s a great aircraft but it isn’t built for luxury. Dr. Rhodes is obviously not well and this is a long two days of travel. Wouldn’t she be more comfortable with other accommodations?”
“We need to get her out of here and do it in the most unobtrusive way. With the breach of security in Louisiana, we snuck her out of the hotel this morning.”
With his hands on his hips Marc opened his mouth to protest, when a soft touch on his arm halted his words. Jerking his gaze back to her, he saw strength in the determined set of her jaw, but was still conflicted with how to make the long trip more comfortable for her.
“I’ll be fine,” Kendall said, her hand quickly snatching back from the warmth of his arm. Standing, she plastered a small smile on her face. “I’m not used to luxury and will be fine, I’m sure.”
Marc dropped his chin to his chest, a bad feeling in his gut about the change of plans. Sighing heavily, he pinned Kevin with his glare and said, “I’ve got to talk to my boss and to the agent that gave us this mission. Then, and only then, will I let you know if we will agree to the change in plans.” Stalking out of the office, he left Kevin and Kendall behind.
*
“I’m pissed as hell, Jack—fucking FBI made a decision last night and didn’t inform us. Does Nick know anything about this situation?”
“Hang on, Marc, Luke’s getting hold of Nick right now.”
Marc glanced back over his shoulder, able to see into the office through the large plate-glass window. Kendall was again sitting in the chair, her eyes closed as she leaned her head back against the wall. Fucking hell! Taking a sick woman, unused to traveling in a small plane, on a long-ass flight—
“Marc, I’ve got Nick on the line. He’s pissed as well. No one told him about the change. In fact, he didn’t even know about Dr. Rhodes’ daughter. But he’s just verified that Kenneth Rhodes was flown out by the FBI to Louisiana in the middle of the night. His boss says the contract has now changed to escorting Kendall Rhodes.”
“Jack, I’m in a goddamn Cessna, not a private jet. She’s not well and this could be disastrous.”
“Marc, do what you’ve got to do. The mission is the same, with the exception of the passenger, which I agree, is a huge fucking change. But I’ll inform Nick that she’s not well and you’ll take longer to get to D.C. I’d advise taking a couple of breaks…more than what you had planned.”
“Got it,” Marc replied, thinking that the increased number of landings and takeoffs would make her feel worse. “I just wanted the change confirmed. We’ll leave in less than thirty minutes and I’ll be in contact to let you know where we are.” He looked back at Kevin pacing the room and added, “And Jack…I’ll only be contacting you. Not the FBI. You can filter what you want through Nick. But I’m not sure I trust the agents here.”
“Agreed,” Jack said before disconnecting, leaving Marc standing with his hands on his hips once more, staring at his plane. Heaving a sigh, he turned to go back into the office.
*
Kendall watched in fascination as the large man stalked toward the office, his face now a mask. Unable to read any emotion, she bit her bottom lip as she waited to see what he would say now. He entered the office and closed the door behind him. Ignoring the other agent in the room, he walked straight to her, kneeling once more so that they were face to face.
“Dr. Rhodes, I’m Marc Jenkins of Saints Protection & Investigations.” He reached out his hand toward her and she took it tentatively, immediately feeling the gentle strength in his handshake. She often categorized men by their handshakes and working in a male-dominated field, she had the opportunity to study her theory a lot. Some men would not shake a woman’s hand and she knew they thought she was beneath them. Some men would grip painfully and she labeled them as men who needed to show superiority. Some men had limp handshakes and those she categorized as weak. But Marc Jenkins—his was warm, strong, but gentle. And she wondered if her fuzzy-headedness was from the headache medicine or from his touch.
Blinking, she realized he was watching her carefully and she jumped as a smile crossed his lips. “Kendall…you don’t need to call me Dr. Rhodes. Kendall will do.”
Standing while still holding her hand, he assisted her up. “All right, Kendall, I have a few more checks to make on the plane and I suggest you use the restroom. We’ll get going in about fifteen minutes.”
Turning to Kevin, he barked, “Make sure she has what she needs to be as comfortable as possible.” With those parting instructions, he walked back to his plane, noting Hank standing near the rear of the Cessna.
“I’m sorry, Marc,” Hank said quietly as Marc approached. “I had no idea about any changes.”
Marc stared at the young man, wondering if he was telling the truth since he was not high up on the FBI chain and wouldn’t be privy to all the details but, at this moment, he was not in the mood to have continued discussions with the Fairbanks agents.
Nodding, he climbed into the cockpit, redoing the pre-flight checks once more. About ten minutes later Marc watched as Kendall walked from the office toward the aircraft. Hank walked next to her, carrying her luggage and she held on to a large tote bag and smaller purse. Climbing down from the plane, Marc met her at the wing.
“Are you ready, Kendall?” he asked, observing her face carefully for signs of a continued headache. She appeared to have more color in her cheeks and her eyes lifted to meet his. Her gaze pierced his and he registered that they held trust. Reaching out his hand, he watched as she placed her much smaller one in his without hesitation.
“Yes, thank you,” she replied, a small smile crossing her face before she let go. Her gaze jumped to the plane behind him and she confessed, “I’ve never flown in this type of plane before, so I’m afraid you’ll have to show me what to do.”
“No worries,” Marc smiled, noting her gentle voice and pleased at her lack of demands. “Come with me.” Opening the door, he said, “You’ll be more comfortable in the back seats. Once we’re in the air, you can stretch out and lay down if you like, as long as you stay strapped in. I can’t guarantee you’ll be comfortable, but I’ll do my best to make the flight as smooth as possible.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed, peering inside. “It looks just like a car!” Turning back to him, her smile more firmly in place, she added, “And please don’t worry about me. I’m not needy and I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Taking her tote bag from her, he leaned in and placed it on the floor before assisting her into the seat. I’ll have you sit on the right side, if you don’t mind, since it’ll be easier for me to see you there in case you need anything.”
Kendall scooted to the side indicated and quickly buckled in. Marc turned back to see Hank and Kevin standing nearby. Kevin walked over, sticking out his hand for a conciliatory handshake.
“Really sorry, Marc, about the switch. I hope you two have a safe flight. Stay in touch, so we know where you are and what’s happening.”
Cocking his head, Marc replied, “Shouldn’t be a need to. Flight is straightforward…unless you think there’s a reason to be concerned?”
Eyes wide, Kevin blurted, “No, no. It should go like clockwork.”
Nodding, Marc then turned to Hank and offered his hand, smiling when the young agent took it quickly, pumping it up and down.
“It was really nice to meet you, Marc,” Hank gushed. “I hope everything goes well for you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Hank. And keep that enthusiasm.” With a curt nod, he turned and climbed into the cockpit, securing the door behind him.
With a glance into the back seat, he asked, “Ready?”
Kendall pushed her glasses up on her nose and nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She watched in fascination as Marc sat in front of a bank of instruments, calmly starting the aircraft.
With the front propeller whirling, they began to taxi. With a last look to the side, Marc noticed Hank and Kevin in a huddle, their heads bent in conversation.
Moving out of the hangar and along the pavement toward the runways, Kendall blinked hard. “I thought this looked like a car, but now I can see it looks like a spaceship up there,” she tried to joke but heard her voice quiver with nerves.
Marc, headphones in place, glanced back at her, noting her fingers clutching the armrests. “Don’t worry, Kendall. I’ve got this.” She threw him a grateful smile, but he once more wondered how long this trip would feel with a possibly ill and definitely nervous passenger.
The tower radioed and he responded as they made their way to the runway. Getting his instructions and cleared for departure, he continued to the curve at the end. Lining up the craft they began racing down the straight runway.
Kendall watched out the window as they lifted off and the ground slowly fell below them. Unclenching her white-knuckled fingers from the armrest, she sighed in relief.
Concentrating on the take-off, Marc forgot about Kendall for a few minutes until they were at the altitude he planned on flying. Once they were on their way, he glanced back and, seeing her peering out of the window, he let out a breath. Good…now if we can just do this for two days, we’ll be homefree.