Page 84 of Trust No One

A voice stuttered out of the PA system, and Kingsley turned away from it. The voice on the loudspeaker was blurry, but she could make out ‘first class’.

“That’s us.” Tightening his arm around her waist until the pressure was painful, he turned his head and murmured into her ear, “You’re coming with me, Melbourne.” He lifted a large syringe far enough out of his jacket pocket that she could see it was filled with a yellow liquid.

“You don’t do exactly as I say, you get this injected into your chest. It’ll take about a minute to kill you. Let’s go.” He tightened his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

“You think they’ll let you on the plane with that?” she said, knowing her words slurred together but unable to speak more clearly.

“They won’t know about it,” Kingsley said, slipping it back into his pocket.

She nodded at the gun. “They’re definitely not letting you on the plane with the gun.”

He shrugged. “I have a permit to carry it onto a plane. Just like you do,” he said, like they were having a normal conversation. “Why wouldn’t they let me on?”

Her brain had gone fuzzy, but there was no mistaking Kingsley’s enjoyment of the situation.Bastard. He loved controlling the strings. Making her dance like a puppet.

The PA system crackled on, and the agent said, “We’ll begin boarding with first class. Line up to my right.”

Several people began moving toward the boarding area. “That’s us, Mel,” Kingsley said. “First class all the way.” He smiled down at her, and she wanted to knee him in the balls. But she needed to concentrate on walking.

“Are you hoping they won’t let you on because you don’t have a ticket?” he asked with an oily smile. “Not a problem, because I have two tickets.” He fumbled in his pocket for the tickets and shoved one into her hand. “Just walk along next to me and don’t say a word to anyone.”

People had begun moving onto the plane. Kingsley had been quick to inject her, and apparently no one had noticed. As they approached the gate agent, he smiled. “My wife doesn’t like to fly,” he said with a pleasant smile. “She had a couple of drinks at the bar on the concourse. She’s a little wobbly, so I’ll help her into her seat. If that’s all right.”

The gate agent frowned. “We don’t allow intoxicated passengers onto the plane,” she said, stepping in front of him.

“She’s not drunk,” Kingsley said, his voice impatient now. “She drank two glasses of wine too quickly on an empty stomach. It made her a little woozy. She’ll be fine in an hour or so.”

“We have policies for a reason,” the gate agent said.

“I understand that. But she’s not intoxicated.” He smiled. “She’s just sleepy.”

Mel managed to turn her head and look over her shoulder. Dev was standing in the boarding area, his eyes fixed on her. His gaze drilled into her.You’ll be okay. I’ve got this. And I’ve got you, Mel.

Holding his gaze, Mel managed a nod. The confidence in Dev’s eyes, the concern for her, and his worry, made her curl her mouth in a tiny smile, all she could manage.I know you have my back. You’ll save me. I trust you and I believe in you.

Dev nodded once and faded into the crowd. Mel was aware enough to realize that Dev wouldn’t let this plane take off with her on it. Dev would think of something. Dev would save her.

But just in case, she’d work to save herself. She fought to focus. Worked to will her way past the drug Kingsley had injected into her.

She turned back to the gate agent, who seemed to be looking over Mel’s shoulder. Finally the woman looked at Kingsley again. “Fine,” she said. “We’ll allow it. Make sure your wife knows where the airsick bag is.”

“I’ll put it in her hands,” Kingsley assured the woman.

The agent reached for their boarding passes and scanned them in. Kingsley tightened his grip on her waist and led her onto the jetway. The walls seemed to be moving, then Mel realizedshewas moving. She glanced over her shoulder one more time, but could no longer see Dev.

Chapter 29

Dev stood at the blocked-off gate, staring at the jetway, where Mel had just disappeared. He’d seen Kingsley inject something into her arm. Probably a tranquilizer of some sort. Mel had been unsteady on her feet. Weaving. Wobbly.

Dev curled his hands into fists at the sight of Kingsley with one arm wrapped around Mel’s waist. Playing a devoted husband or boyfriend, but actually holding Mel upright. Likely talking his way onto the plane with what looked like an intoxicated wife.

Dev ground his teeth so hard he was surprised he wasn’t spitting enamel onto the floor. He turned to find Gideon hurrying toward him.

“Did I see Kingsley stick Mel with something?”

Dev nodded once. “Yeah. A tranq or some shit like that.”

“And he got her on the plane?” Gideon stared at him, incredulous.

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