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They got out of the SUV and headed to the plane. Duffel bag in one hand and laptop satchel in the other, Aubrey stepped up onto the plane. The instant she entered, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Now unsmiling, Serena held out her hand. “I need your phone and laptop.”
“Why?”
“In case anyone is tracking you. I’ll disable any trackers and return them to you, good as new. You’ll want to notify any family and friends that you’ll be out of pocket for the next couple of weeks. That way, they won’t worry.”
Questioning why anyone would want to track her seemed pointless. It was becoming obvious that these people had an agenda beyond her seemingly simple request to do a ride-along.
After she relinquished the items, she settled into a seat. She hadn’t been nervous but now she was rethinking her trust in the whole situation.
Holding Aubrey’s laptop and phone, Serena spoke to Jazz in a low tone. Seconds later, Jazz headed to the cockpit. It wouldn’t surprise her if the woman was also the pilot. Every time she turned around, something unusual happened.
Aubrey took in a few calming breaths. She had been in dangerous situations before. Even though her nerves jumped with adrenaline, this didn’t feel exactly dangerous. Just very covert and unsettling. There were undercurrents at play here that she knew nothing about.
To calm herself, she took in her surroundings. The plane was decorated for both comfort and efficiency in cream and light green. Ten seats and two small sofas filled the space. The multicolored carpeting was short but thick and plush beneath her feet.
Whoever these people were, they were incredibly well funded. After the success of her first documentary, she had priced small private jets in the hopes of being able to buy one to make traveling easier for future films. It hadn’t taken her long to realize she could barely afford the fuel, much less the actual airplane.
As if they’d coordinated their timing, Serena came through a door from the back as Jazz exited the cockpit.
With one of those small smiles Aubrey was beginning to learn meant nothing, Serena returned both her phone and laptop, and said, “Thanks. We’re good.”
Aubrey held the phone and laptop close to her. The comfortable and familiar items helped settle her nerves.
“Why don’t you go ahead and text your people.”
“I don’t understand. Will I not be able to communicate with anyone while I’m gone?”
“It’ll be best if you don’t.”
“Why?”
Serena gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re getting worried again and you really shouldn’t. It’s just that we are very private.”
Though the nervousness had returned, Aubrey did as she was asked and texted her mother, Becca, and her production assistant the same message.
I’m out of town for the next couple of weeks on research. Will get in touch when I return. Text me if you need me.
Not surprising, Jazz stood over her shoulder and read her text.
Aubrey tilted her head to look up at her. “You approve?”
Without a hint of guilt or embarrassment for her nosiness, Jazz nodded. “Yeah, that’ll work.”
The pilot’s voice came into the cabin. “Seat belts on. We’re cleared for takeoff.”
In less than two minutes, they were traveling down the runway and lifting into the air.
Hoping to bring some normalcy back to her surroundings, she glanced over at Jazz who sat across from Aubrey. “How long is the flight to your training facility?”
Serena answered instead of Jazz, “There’s been a change of plans.”
“What kind of change?”
“The training will have to wait. We’re going to our headquarters.”
“Why? What happened?”
Unbuckling her seat belt, Serena stood and walked a few feet to an alco