Read Online Dead Alert by Bianca D' Arc - Free Book Online Page A

we had some bad things happen recently.”
    “A friend of mine said weather was most likely to blame for one of the crashes, and scuttlebutt had pilot error down for the other one. I asked around before I signed on the dotted line. I have a vested interest in my own safety, after all.”
    She chuckled but he could see she was still troubled by the reminder of the personnel they’d lost. Her tone was somber when she continued.
    “The final reports aren’t in yet but the NTSB cleared us of responsibility on a preliminary basis. The toxicology report on Ernie Young’s body—he was the pilot involved in last October’s incident—said he was drunk as a skunk. I knew Ernie liked to party in his off duty hours but I never would’ve thought he’d be stupid enough to fly in that condition.”
    “What about the other one?”
    “There wasn’t enough left of the plane or the pilot to do an autopsy. At least that’s my understanding. There hasn’t been a lot of information forthcoming on that investigation. I guess if we were implicated we would’ve heard about it by now.”
    “I suppose so.” Sam chomped on his rice, allowing space if she wanted to continue. Sometimes silence was a useful tool to get others to talk. Sure enough, it worked with Emily.
    “Still, it’s strange we haven’t heard much. I got the other information through a leak. One of the investigators knew my mother and was willing to give me a hint as to their findings. That’s normal in this kind of situation where the airline isn’t really to blame, or they’re fairly certain that’s the way the final report will turn out. If they think the airline is on the hook, you usually get a cease and desist order to stop flying or a bunch of inspectors show up to rifle through the books and interrogate personnel. None of that has happened. Either way, it’s strange. I think we should’ve heard something by now.”
    “When is the final report from the NTSB due?”
    “Who knows?” She rolled her eyes in frustration. “I don’t think they’ve given themselves a cutoff date, which is also strange. The whole thing makes me wonder what’s going on. Usually, they’re more efficient.”
    “Could it have something to do with politics? I’ve heard sometimes the shift in political parties in Washington can affect how certain government agencies are run.” He put that out there as a red herring. He wanted to see where she’d lead the conversation.
    “No, I don’t think so. The NTSB is usually safe from the worst of the political machinations. At least the investigative arm is. Most of those guys have been in the business for years. There’s very little turnover in those ranks. They’re all top notch in the field and they have connections all over the industry.”
    Once again, Sam waited to see if she’d continue, chewing his surprisingly delicious breakfast and trying to project his interest in her words. Once again, she didn’t disappoint.
    “I think it’s more a case of someone being paid off or warned not to leak any information. I don’t know who and I had no clue that anyone could really have that sort of power or why they’d use it in our case, but I’m leaning more and more toward that belief.”
    “That sounds serious.”
    “It is.” Her expression was grim for a moment before she deliberately changed the subject. “But it’s only a suspicion. How’s your breakfast? I love this place. They have an inventive menu.”
    He let the conversation drift as they both finished eating and headed for the door.
    “Do you feel like walking to the market? It’s not too far and it’s not raining, which can be rare in Portland.”
    “I’m up for a walk. Lead on, MacDuff.” He opened the door of the restaurant for her and she preceded him out.
    After days of comparative inactivity, Sam needed more than a little stroll, but it would have to do. He wasn’t used to going days without a heavy workout or two, but he was in the civilian world