Second Chances(4)

"Orders?"

"Continue to observe and alert me when things go wrong. And believe me, things will go wrong."

"Yes, sir." He hung up the phone and returned his attention to the computer screens.





CHAPTER THREE



For a moment he felt rooted to the spot. In his mind, it happened in slow motion. She moved into the jetway and the door closed behind her. Once again he'd lost her. She'd slipped away like a dream upon waking.

This isn't like those other times, his mind insisted. He'd seen her for more than a few seconds, not just out of the corner of his eye and not just from behind. He'd seen her, followed her, lost sight of her and then found her again. And hadn't she looked back when he'd called her name? It wasn't possible that it had been just a coincidence. He stood there, locked in an internal debate.

It was the changing of the board that finally spurred him into movement. He was much too far away to see just what was listed on the board behind the counter, but he knew exactly what that board was and what it meant. It listed the destination and timing of the flight and now it had changed and that could only mean one thing.

He wasn't sure if he had yelled no out loud or only in his head, but people around him jumped back once again as he began to run down the concourse. The same crowd that had seemed to part for him only moments ago now seemed to be against him. He pushed and shoved his way passed the masses, not bothering to excuse himself or respond to the angry words tossed his way. His eyes remained locked on the door. He jumped to the left to get around a short dumpy man in a wrinkled gray suit. He cleared the man, but not the man's luggage. The world spun as his foot clipped the bag and he went crashing down. He heard the man let out a scream. Nathan couldn't tell if the cry was from pain or just from being startled as his bag was jerked out of his hand from the impact of Nathan's foot.

Nathan rubbed his throbbing temple. He could feel a lump growing under his fingers. He wasn't sure if it had impacted with his laptop bag or the floor.

"What the hell is the matter with you?"

He knew the voice likely belonged to the man he'd just nearly run over, but Nathan didn't look up at him. He strained his neck toward the door. It was still closed, but then what had he expected?

He struggled to get up, wincing when he put pressure on his right foot.

"Hey buddy, I am talking to you."

It wasn't until he felt the hand on his shoulder that Nathan acknowledged that the man was even there. Nathan's movements were a blur, at least to the dumpy guy. He whirled around, grabbing the man's arm at the wrist and squeezing. This time there was no mistaking the reason for the man's cry. Pain, pure and simple.

The man opened his mouth to say something, but then he saw the look in Nathan's eyes and quickly looked away and mumbled, "Sorry, all my fault."

Nathan never heard the man. He was already moving towards the doorway again, as fast as he could manage. He winced with each step, but his mind barely registered the pain. When he got to the door he automatically reached out and grabbed the handle. He pulled, but it didn't open.

"Sir?"

He pulled again a little harder. What the hell was wrong with this door?

"Sir, you can't go down there."

Nathan looked at the door, blinked and then pulled once more.

"Sir?"

He finally turned toward the voice. A pretty blond in a blue blazer and matching skirt looked at him, a puzzled look of concern on her face. He pointed at the door.

"I'm sorry. The plane has already been cleared and is taxiing to the runway."

He heard the words, but the expression on his face told the woman that he obviously did not comprehend the statement.

"Were you supposed to be on that plane?" she asked slowly in a soft voice, as if talking with a small child.

Was he supposed to be on that plane? The magnitude of the question seemed to overwhelm him. Was he? Was she? How could she be? Nathan didn't doubt what he'd seen. It had been her. How that was possible he didn't know, it just was.

"Sir?"

He noticed her voice had a slight tremor to it now and that she had backed up a step.

Great, just what I need, the woman thought to herself. Where the heck is security? Crazy. Cute, but crazy.

Nathan noticed the look in the woman's eyes and cursed himself.

"God, I must...I must look like a total psycho," he said with a forced laugh as he rubbed the bump on his forehead.

The woman seemed to instantly relax at the sound of his voice and his words.

"Were you running late? Was that your flight?"

He let out a sigh and seemed to think about the question for a moment.

"No, but..."

She waited, saying nothing. Maybe he wasn't crazy after all, just a bit disoriented. It looked like he'd had a recent blow to the head. She found the thought a little infuriating. She could just see the man getting jumped in one of the restrooms. Happened all the time these days despite the extra security. This city was going to hell.