Lost in Flight by Neeny Boucher Read Free Book Online Page B

Currently, the house was supposedly leased to the Martins to give them a base in Seattle, but it belonged to him.  On agreement, no one told Christina because they knew she’d refuse to stay there if she knew. 
    Everyone knew it was lies by omission, but consoled themselves: it was either that or Ms. Psycho Martin would have a meltdown of epic proportions.  They all chose non-declaration for self-preservation. 
    He made his way to the hospital to see Christina’s little sister, Gabb,y and his friend, Jed.  When he walked in both of them looked up in surprise.  Gabby grinned at him.  “Hey you!  What are you doing here?” 
    Walking over, he gave Gabby a kiss on the forehead.  “I missed you.”
    She beamed and held up an iPad, and an iPhone.  “What do you think?  They’re gifts from Johnny.” 
    Riley nodded.  “Nice.”  Looking at Jed he asked, “Brother, can I crash with you tonight?”
    Jed shrugged.  “Of course.  The house is yours and it’s free.  My roommate went back to Shanwick where I thought you would be.  Did you see her?” 
    Riley gave him a pointed look and said, “Yeah,” then rapidly changed the subject.  He saw the look that passed between Jed and Gabby and the smiles that crossed their faces.  Gabby asked him innocently, “How did that go?” 
    For a moment, Riley thought the gossip must have preceded him, but then he realized they were both just teasing him.  He smiled.  “Fine.”  Giving Jed the head nod to follow him outside, Riley gave Gabby another kiss on the forehead telling her he’d be back tomorrow. 
    When they were out of earshot, Jed asked, “What happened?” 
    Riley looked at him and laughed.  “Not good.”  The two men shared a quiet chuckle.
    “I take it you ran into her then,” Jed grinned. 
    Riley supposed you could call it that.  It felt more like getting hit by a freight train than a chance encounter.  “Oh yeah,” Riley said, “I’ll tell you about it later.  I’m going to go and have a beer… or six.” 
    Jed raised an eyebrow.  “That bad huh?” 
    Riley grinned.  “Worse,” then he turned on his heel and left.
     
     

Chapter Five – May Day
    Christina, D.C., The Past, Wednesday 4 April 2012 (Six months earlier)
     
    In the last six months, Christina often mused on the way life can change in an instant.  One moment, life is planned in a certain direction and the all-important goals achievable and within your grasp.  Then in another moment, everything changes, goals are re-evaluated and paths altered.  Whether this is for better or ill is only seen in retrospect, but the resulting impact of how things collide and the decisions made in that moment is never without consequence. 
    On the day Christina found out her baby sister, Gabby, was in intensive care she was working on a case that was, on reflection, similar to all the other cases she’d worked on nearly every other day of the year.  Christina was an associate at the law firm Bindman & Associates in D.C. and on a career path to becoming a partner.  She was driven in her professional life and the protégé of one of the senior partners, Debbie Bindman.
    Christina was attractive with shoulder blade length caramel hair, like her father, and dark eyes like her mother.  She had olive skin, stood just over average height, and had a serious demeanor that intimidated people.  This aspect of her personality had been developed and nurtured on purpose, reinforced by her mantra of the 3Ds: determined, driven, and devoted to her work.  Other people would have called her “difficult.” 
    There was also defiant, but she tried to channel that into her cases and use it for “good.”  From time to time, it did seep out in other areas of her life: like her penchant for “biohazard/grunge” pajamas, steampunk jewelry, vintage clothing, and vinyl records.  Very few people in her professional life saw this aspect of her because she made sure she kept them at a