Page 1 of Final Approach (Lake City Heroes #4)

ONE

The hum of the aircraft was a familiar comfort, but it was a smaller craft than she usually flew, with only one aisle and three seats on either side. She and her friends were about halfway back in the main cabin. Not her favorite seat, but she wasn’t complaining.

This was her last flight as an on-duty air marshal for the next two weeks. Vacation with fun and sun was on the horizon. She went through her usual flight check, scanning the passengers and the luggage being brought on board and noting those traveling with her.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Jesslyn said, leaning forward, her voice low.

“How long have we been planning this? Six months? It felt like six years to get to this point.” She had her red hair pulled into a casual ponytail with a few stray tendrils curling around her temples.

A smattering of freckles crossed her nose and fanned out over her cheeks.

“Ten days at an all-inclusive resort in Key West, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing—”

“I’m not parasailing,” Kristine said. “No way.”

Jesslyn raised a brow at her. “But you love to fly.”

“In a plane. With a skilled pilot—or two. Or frankly, myself flying. With safety protocols in place. Not at the end of a rope attached to a boat with a driver who may or may not know what he’s doing.”

“Could be a she.”

“Exactly. And neither of them may know what they’re doing.”

Jesslyn laughed. “You’re still taking flying lessons?”

“I am. It makes me feel like I have more control.”

“You’ve been doing that forever. Don’t you have your license yet?”

“Just have to take the test.” Her heart pounded at the thought.

“And when are you doing that?”

“I don’t know.” The truth was, she’d been putting it off ever since she’d had an issue with her first attempt. Something she’d not shared with anyone for a multitude of reasons.

Her tone must have conveyed her desire to terminate the subject because Jesslyn went back to her camera with only a raised brow.

Kristine looked over her right shoulder and across the aisle to see Kenzie King and Cole Garrison engrossed in a travel guide, plotting their adventures—and probably their wedding—while James, Lainie’s husband, was lost in the latest bestselling thriller by Kate Angelo.

Kristine drew in a deep breath, taking in the atmosphere of anticipation and relaxation.

It was a hard-earned break from their often hectic lives.

With the exception of Lainie, who was a physician’s assistant, they were all in some form of law enforcement, and the last couple of years had been chaotic.

Thankfully, the last six months had been “quiet.” Or at least “normal” for them and their occupations.

Her gaze drifted across the aisle and back one row, where a man sat immersed in his notes.

FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross. Smart, dedicated, and definitely too handsome for anyone’s good.

His blond hair was slightly long, but not long enough to hide his green eyes from her.

His five o’clock shadow was making an attractive appearance on his usually clean-shaven features.

She and Andrew had known each other for a while now, but it was only lately that they’d acknowledged they wanted to get to know each other even more.

She had to admit spending time with Andrew on a sandy Key West beach sounded like an amazing adventure.

If she could just get past her fear. She’d avoided romantic entanglements most of her life simply because she was afraid that would entail giving up a lot of control over her life.

She cleared her throat and pushed the thoughts aside, wishing she could dump her baggage once and for all.

Maybe one day. Her friends who were all pairing up at the speed of light didn’t seem to have her issues and were offering her hope that maybe her perceptions of romantic relationships were wrong.

That she wouldn’t be giving up control of her life but sharing it.

It was a nice thought, she just wasn’t sure it was realistic.

Andrew looked up and caught her gaze. His soft smile stole the breath from her lungs.

And then there was that. Every. Single. Time.

She forced herself to smile back before returning her gaze to the other passengers, studying the ones she could see.

All seemed well as, thankfully, it usually was. So why were her nerves itching?

“Come on, Kristine.” Jesslyn reached across the still-dozing Lainie and nudged Kristine’s arm. “Relax.”

“I’m trying,” she said. “Seriously. It’s hard, though.” She forced her features into a serious expression. “But keep your camera ready. Nathan may decide to cut loose and dance down the aisle or something.”

Jesslyn smirked and Kristine laughed. That was about as likely as below-zero temps in the Keys.

The laugh felt good. It was a bubble of normalcy in the midst of a tension Kristine couldn’t shake off.

She glanced around the cabin, her trained eyes scanning the other passengers once more.

Most were absorbed in their own worlds. Sleeping, chatting with seatmates, reading, snacking, and trying hard to keep restless children occupied.

Once she connected to the plane’s Wi-Fi, she sent a text to her brother and sister.

On the way to Key West. I’m looking forward to the vacation, but wish the three of us could have some time together. Look at the calendar for next year and pick a date, okay? Take care and talk soon.

Emily and Ethan were twins and were six years younger than her thirty-two years. She’d been looking after them since their mother’s death sixteen years ago and loved them fiercely.

When she looked up, one man five rows ahead, sitting in the aisle seat to her right, caught her attention.

He seemed on edge, his movements rigid, jerky.

She’d noticed him as they boarded, but he settled down, so she just decided to keep an eye on him.

It appeared his restlessness had returned, though, and Kristine narrowed her eyes.

Nervous flier? Personal problems? Or something more?

Or nothing?

The aircraft jolted, and a brief but rocky turbulence silenced the occupants.

Kristine gripped the armrest, her body tensing.

The captain’s voice came over the speaker.

“Sorry about that, folks. Hit a little pocket there. We’re back to cruising smoothly, so go back to your book or your movie and we’ll be on the ground in about an hour and a half. ”

Kristine relaxed. She wasn’t usually jumpy. She flew all the time, but today ... there was just ... something.

Lainie, now wide awake, quirked a brow at her. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Yes, of course.” Again, the turbulence was nothing major. It happened.

The uneasy passenger stood up. Looked around.

Then headed to the back restroom. Kristine shifted so she could watch for his return.

At the ten-minute mark, she was about to ask Amanda or Jeffrey, the two flight attendants, to go check on him.

Just as she started to rise, the man exited the lavatory and passed Kristine to take his seat again.

Andrew rose and walked to the front of the plane, slipping around Amanda in first class, and went into the lavatory.

Kristine caught Amanda’s eye as she moved into the main cabin.

Jeffrey was at the tail of the plane. Amanda raised a brow and nodded in the direction of the man who’d captured Kristine’s attention.

Kristine gave a subtle nod back.

Amanda moved toward him, her smile friendly and professional. The passenger jumped to his feet again, his hand diving into his jacket as he stepped into the aisle.

Kristine reached under her jacket to release the snap holding her SIG in its holster. She’d intervene only if the cockpit was threatened. Andrew and Nathan were FBI. They had their weapons and would handle it to that point.

Amanda stopped next to him. “Sir, please sit back down,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “Everything is fine. If you’ll just put your seat belt on—”

“Stay back!” He pulled out a makeshift knife and held it to the neck of the person in the aisle seat next to him.

Amanda let out a startled yelp and stumbled back.

“Unbuckle or I’ll slit your throat,” he told the passenger.

She obeyed and he pulled the woman to her feet. Her shocked whimpers reached Kristine’s ears even over the eruption of the panicked, screaming passengers.

Nathan rose, pulling his gun. “FBI,” he said. “Drop your weapon. Now.”

“I’m getting in the cockpit,” he shouted. “Open the cockpit!” His words were directed at Amanda.

A threat to the cockpit. That was Kristine’s cue.

She pulled her gun and stood. “Everyone, stay calm!” The command in her voice stilled most of the people.

“I’m an air marshal,” she said. “Sir, you need to drop the knife now.” The cockpit had a keypad code that only certain people knew.

Amanda was one of those people. Kristine threw a look at Nathan.

If he had a clear shot he’d take it, but right now, he didn’t. No one did.

“I got your back,” Jesslyn murmured. “We all do.” Jesslyn was a fire marshal, but she was also trained law enforcement.

Kenzie was also on her feet. A detective with the Lake City Police Department, Kenzie was a member of the SWAT team along with Cole and James, who also stood ready to assist. They wouldn’t have their weapons on them, but they were still powerful backup.

The man’s gaze flicked around the cabin, his desperation clear. “This plane is not going to Key West! I need the captain to fly it to another destination where I plan to disappear. Let me in the cockpit. Now!”

Disappear? Hmm ... maybe. She wasn’t sure she believed that.

Kristine kept her focus on him and moved into the aisle toward him. If she could get close enough, she could take him down, but firing at him with a hostage in front of him wasn’t an option at the moment. “We can talk about this,” she said. “No one needs to get hurt.”