Page 98

He had to fly with Devon.
All the way to Tokyo and back.
Shit.
•
“Positive rate.”
“Gear up.”
Manuel raised the gear, and Adam reached for the glare shield and engaged the autopilot button.“Autopilot is on. After-takeoff checklist.”
As the G550 continued its smooth ascent into the sky, they quickly completed the after-takeoff items.
After a while, Manuel checked the altimeter.“Ten thousand.”
“Lights off.”
Manuel flipped the switch. Adam rolled his shoulders and relaxed into his seat, looking out at the wild blue yonder for a few moments. No matter what, this never got old. He always loved it up here.
“Didn’t you just pull one of these long hauls last week?” Manuel asked.
“Two.”
Manuel whistled.“That’s tough, man.”
Adam gave him a sarcastic smile.“The perks of being the owner.”
“Yeah, no thanks.”
Adam chuckled.“No desire to start your own charter, Manny?”
“Hell no. I’m happy where I am. Benefits are great, the boss treats me good—” he gave Adam a wide grin “—and I get to do what I like. You can keep that huge set of keys you carry around.”
Adam smiled.“You’re a smart guy, Manny.”
People coveted the rewards that came with that set of keys but wanted nothing to do with the work and responsibilities that went with them.
A voice came through their headsets.“November 576 Lima Alpha, contact LA Center on 126.775.”
Manuel cued the mic.“Gulfstream 576 Lima Alpha to LA center on 126.775, good day.”
Manuel reached for the screen and adjusted to the new frequency. He listened for a few good seconds before he could jump in.“LA Center,Gulfstream 576 Lima Alpha, checking in.”
“Six Lima Alpha, LA Center, welcome.”
Adam stared out at the cloud cover for a few minutes.“Have you talked to Sims lately?”
“A couple of weeks ago.”
“He say anything to you about problems he’s having?”
Manuel shook his head.“But, you know, I notice he does it when he gets long flights. Could be his back. He’s about my father’s age, and Dad has problems when he sits too long. Twelve hours to Tokyo… It’s a lot.”
Adam nodded. That did make sense. He was half Ted’s age, and every so often, he, too, could feel it.
“Also, Sims’s wife has that muscle problem.”