Page 58 of Shared By the Pilots

When I walked into the terminal the third week, Rita was shaking her head before I even got a chance to ask. “I already looked. Nospecial customers,” she told me.

“Can I take a look? I read an article talking about all the fake names he uses when he flies. He has four!”

She let me back behind the desk again and surrendered the mouse. I scrolled through, and immediately saw Alan Broussard’s name on the register for Wednesday, flying down to Cabo.Bingo. We’re in business. But I had to keep scrolling to act like I was looking for Ryan Gosling…

…which was fortunate for me, because Broussard had another flight to Cabo on Thursday. And a third flight on Friday.

Three flights in a row? Something big must be happening.

“You look excited!” Rita said. “Do you recognize any of those names?”

“I thought I did for a second, but it’s not him,” I said.

Rita sighed and opened the top drawer of her desk. “I’m never going to get him to sign my limited edition Airline Barbie now.” She held it up; it was still in the box.

“Sorry for getting your hopes up,” I said genuinely. “Maybe next week.”

Next week we’ll have bigger news than Ryan Gosling, I thought.

“Three flights in a row?” Taylor said on the phone. “You think something big is happening?”

“Either that, or they’ve scheduled more flights for subterfuge. Do something innocent on two of them, and make therealtransport on the third. That way, if they get raided or something, there’s only a one-in-three chance they get caught.”

“Roger that. I’ll book us a departure for Wednesday morning. We’ll land before them, and hang out on the tarmac to watch when they roll in and do their thing. Instead of flying back that day, are you cool if we stay in Cabo until Friday? Cheaper to get a hotel than fly back and forth.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I replied. “I’ll find a way to get off work.”

I called my manager at Gulf Airlines and told her I had tested positive for COVID. I never took sick days—and pretty much never got sick—so she didn’t doubt me or give me any grief about it. But Adam called me that afternoon.

Adam: I heard the news. We hooked up two days ago. You would think I’d be the first person you told that you tested positive! Your germs were ALL UP IN my germs!

Me: Sorry! It’s been a busy day. I don’t actually have COVID. I’m using some sick days to take care of a few things.

Adam: You have no idea how worried I was. I was about to drive to CVS to buy a bunch of take-home tests.

Adam: Is everything okay?

Me: Yeah! Nothing to worry about, I promise.

Adam: Is there anything I can do to help?

Me: Nope. I appreciate you asking, though :-)

Adam: Because you know I’m here for you if you ever need me.

Me: I know, and that means a lot to me. <3

Then, that evening, I got a text from myothergentleman friend.

Luke: Hi. Are you available to meet tomorrow? I need to talk to you about something.

Me: That’s not vague at all.

Luke: It’s important, and I’d rather not discuss it over text. I know that sounds cryptic, but I promise I’m not being paranoid.

Me: I’m busy tomorrow.

Luke: What about in the morning, before work?

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