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“Lars 63, contact departure.”
“Lars 63 to departure.” Ted changed frequencies and cued the mic. “Las Vegas departure, Lars 63, checking in.”
Ted raised the gear, and Adam reached for the glare shield and engaged the autopilot button.“A thousand feet. Autopilot on. Flaps up. After-takeoff checklist.”
Adam surveyed the endless sky. It was good to be back in this cockpit. As much fun as flying in the wilderness had been, there was nothing like the rush of taking off in a twin jet. He was looking forward to lunch with Devon, who had joined them last-minute, replacing the flight attendant who had called in sick.
The plan was to pick up the fare from LAX, fly them to Vegas, and then go directly to Boulder City.
He smiled. Ingrid had agreed to get out of his life forever. Ian had paid her an ungodly sum, but Adam didn’t care. All he cared about was seeing Eve again and telling her he was now free.
The G550 swiftly ascended in the sky.
After a while, Ted checked the altimeter.“Ten thousand.”
Adam nodded.“Lights—”
BOOM!
The sound was deafening. The plane shuddered violently.
Ted’s eyes were saucers.“What was that?”
“Something hit us.”
“Shit! What?”
“I don’t know.”
Vibrations shook the aircraft.
“Autopilot,” a robotic voice announced.
“Autopilot disconnected,” Adam said.
Multiple lights came on, the yellow master caution light flashed, and beeping filled the cockpit.
Adrenaline shot through Adam’s body. Everything came into hyper-focus and began happening in slow motion.
His fingers tightened on the yoke as he tried with all his might to straighten it.“I’m hand flying. I can’t keep heading. Looks like we have a stuck aileron.”
“Oh my God!” Ted’s hands shook, followed by his whole body. “Oh my God! We’re going to die!”
A vision of Eve’s sweet face floated before Adam’s eyes. “No. We’re not. Get it together, man. Grab the yoke and help me pull.”
Ted sat there gaping at the instruments, unseeing.
Adam felt the adrenaline course, hot, through his veins. “Ted!”
The air traffic controller’s voice came over the beeping, rattling, and whine of the engines.“Lars 63, you’re off course.”
“TED!” Adam yelled louder.
He had to get back to Eve. Had to. “Call ATC and declare an emergency!”
Ted blinked. To Adam’s relief, he seemed to snap back and cued the mic.“Departure, Lars 63 is declaring an emergency. We believesomething hit us. We cannot maintain heading.”
“Copy, Lars 63, you’re declaring an emergency. State souls on board, fuel, and intentions.”