Chapter 14 - The Partition Closes
Forty minutes into the flight, Daniel’s primary encrypted satellite phone began to vibrate violently on the table.
He checked the caller ID, and his expression instantly hardened into granite.
“It’s the Swiss regulators,” Daniel said, rising from his chair and unhooking his earpiece.
He walked down the aisle, pausing beside Emily’s seat to place a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I have to take this in the soundproof stateroom at the back,” he whispered, leaning down.
“Are you alright, Em? Do you need some tea or water?”
“I’m fine, Daniel,” Emily said, offering a soft smile. “Go take your call.”
Daniel kissed the crown of her head, lingering for a tender second before turning to his mother.
“Mother, don’t disturb her,” Daniel said firmly, his eyes locking onto Vanessa with cold authority.
“She needs to sleep.”
Vanessa smiled serenely, folding her hands over her lap.
“Of course, darling,” Vanessa replied with sweet, maternal innocence. “I’ll ensure she rests.”
Daniel held his mother’s gaze for a second longer, suspicious, but the buzzing phone left him no choice.
He turned and walked down the long carpeted corridor toward the rear stateroom.
The heavy, soundproof wooden partition slid closed behind him with an ominous, motorized thud.
The locking mechanism clicked shut.
Daniel was gone.
The VIP forward cabin fell into an absolute, suffocating silence.
The only sound remaining was the dull, low vibration of the jet cutting through the thin stratosphere.
Emily felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
Slowly, carefully, she reached for her cream handbag, intending to take out her pregnancy pillow.
Before her fingers could touch the strap, Vanessa moved.
The older woman didn’t hesitate.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up in the center of the aisle, towering over Emily’s reclined chair.
May you like
The sweet, gentle mask had completely vanished from her aristocratic face.
In its place was raw, unrestrained malice.
