Read Online Finder's Fee by Alton Gansky - Free Book Online

be in his late twenties. He bore the attractive, smooth features of Japanese men.Both men nodded at Luke. Both wore white shirts and blue pants, uniforms of the modern pilot.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to have you aboard with us today, Mr. Becker.” The captain extended his hand and Luke took it and gave it a brief shake.
    Luke looked at Judith and she answered before he could ask. “Many times. There are two crews for this flight. This crew is assigned to me, the CFO, CIO, and senior VPs.
    â€œIs there a problem?” Nelson asked, eyeing Luke.
    Judith gave her best smile. “No, Captain. Mr. Becker is a nervous flier.”
    â€œI understand.” Nelson could have been a diplomat, Judith decided. “We expect no problems on the flight. The bird is fresh from a full ser vice and the weather is clear. We’ll have you up and back on the ground safely before you know it.”
    â€œDid you know that most airline disasters occur after routine maintenance? Some mechanic forgets a screw for this or a bolt for that and the next thing you know the impellers break loose of the engine cowling and come ripping into the cabin.” Luke didn’t wait for the answer. He fast-stepped up the stairs.
    The captain turned to Judith and raised an eyebrow. Judith just shrugged.
    Fifteen minutes later they were in the air and banking in a wide arc to the north. Judith watched the ground recede. Below she could see the I-10 and I-15 freeways, the San Gabriel Mountains green with spring rains. Large buildings shrunk to tiny boxes. Wisps of clouds decorated the air.
    The cabin could seat eight passengers in two groups of four. The seats were soft, with white and brown leather. A green, custom weave carpet covered the deck, and unlike the plain white interior of most aircraft, the bulkheads were coveredin a blue and white vinyl decorative covering. Judith’s design tastes were not limited to homes and commercial buildings.
    They remained silent as the craft climbed through the air. Some air turbulence over the mountains made the small jet bounce, but the rough ride ended a minute or two later.
    Luke broke the silence. “Ever been to Fresno?”
    Judith said, “No. I’ve flown over it a few times but have never had a reason to go there.”
    â€œMe either.” He seemed distracted.
    â€œWhat’s on your mind?”
    Luke fidgeted and looked out the window.
    â€œI was only joking when I called you a nervous flier,” Judith confessed.
    â€œA joke to you; a fact for me. I hate flying.”
    Judith gave a reassuring smile. “I’m starting to sense that. Bad experience?”
    He nodded. “A commuter flight out of Asheville to Atlanta. We hit cruising speed and altitude. The pilot switched off the seat belt sign. I unfastened my belt. Ten minutes later we hit a pocket of bad air. The plane dropped a thousand feet before leveling off. The sudden drop sent me flying from my seat. I smacked my head on the overhead luggage rack. I gave up flying.”
    â€œYet here you are.”
    â€œNot by choice.” He frowned. “I don’t suppose this thing has a printer in it.”
    â€œIt does.” Judith reached down and to her right and pulled a thin mahogany table with a thick bar-top finish from a recess in the bulkhead. The table pivoted into place and a metal knee bracket locked it into place.
    â€œClever.” Luke reached for his computer.
    â€œOne doesn’t spend millions for an aircraft like this without getting the kind of necessities business execs need. There’s a USB cable to your left. Pull it from its holder and plug it into your computer.”
    â€œAll the luxury a corporate warrior could want.” The sarcasm was clear.
    â€œA company jet is not just luxury, Luke. When you pay an exec mid to high six figures, you don’t want him cooling his heels in some airport lobby waiting on the mercy of the airlines to get him back and forth