The Falcon and the Owl by Matty Dalrymple

Author:Matty Dalrymple [Dalrymple, Matty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: William Kingsfield Publishers
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

25

In the morning, they packed up and headed back to the road, Ellis removing the strips of yellow plastic from the trees as they went.

“Why don’t you leave them up?” asked Ann.

“I don’t want to make it easy for curiosity seekers to find the site,” he replied. “Some people get off on that kind of thing.”

Except when the route required them to walk single-file, Ellis again walked next to Gwen. Snatches of their conversation—more accurately, his conversation—drifted back to Ann. When they stopped for a break, Ellis continued what must have been an ongoing topic.

“I know I wouldn’t be qualified to take on Bryan’s activities, but I could help a more experienced A&P, and I’d love to learn more about the Extra and the Lancair. I could help out around the airport, too. Manning the desk at the FBO, whatever—I’m not picky.”

“I’ll think about it,” said Gwen, in a tone of voice that suggested that she had already thought about it and made a decision.

Ellis was at least savvy enough not to press the issue.

When they reached the place where Arno had left his backpack, Ellis shouldered it as well as his own. Once they picked up a cell signal, Ann called Arno to let him know they were nearing the pickup point.

Arno was waiting for them in Ellis’s Tahoe when they reached the road. He climbed out of the driver’s seat and pulled a pair of crutches out of the back seat.

“You can update me on the way back to Avondale,” he said to Ann by way of greeting.

“Arno Scanlan, ever the gracious boss,” said Gwen.

“I don’t feel like hanging around here for a debrief,” he growled. “I have business—two businesses—to take care of.”

“I could help out around the airport,” said Ellis, perhaps having given up on Gwen as a possible sponsor. “Whatever needs doing. I come cheap.”

Arno, taken off-guard, rubbed his neck. “I don’t know. Things are a little up in the air …” He glanced at Gwen. “… what with Hal and Bryan’s deaths. I’m not sure what kind of help we’re going to need.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Gwen. “He said he’ll do anything. I’m sure we can find anything for him to do.” She turned to Ellis. “You’re hired—let me know when you can start.”

Ellis beamed.

Arno glowered.

Ellis loaded the packs into the back of the Tahoe and they climbed in, Arno in the passenger seat and Gwen and Ann in back. They were quiet on the way back to the airport, Gwen tapping her fingers impatiently on the armrest, Arno tapping his phone.

They climbed out of the Tahoe near the gate to the ramp and Ellis extracted Ann and Arno’s small overnight bags from their packs.

“Thanks for the loan of the equipment, Ellis,” said Gwen. “See you soon at Avondale.”

“Sure thing, Ms. Burridge.”

Gwen turned to Arno. “See you back in Chester County, Arno. We’ll have to see if we can’t rustle you up a replacement keychain.”

Arno pointedly ignored her.

Gwen looked toward Ann, then gave her a slight nod.

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