The Vatican Code by Rob Jones

Author:Rob Jones [Jones, Rob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 35

Less than an hour later, Mason and the team were stepping out of the departure building of Zurich Airport and enjoying some crisp Swiss sunshine. The showers had passed, blowing north away from the Alps and into Germany and the air felt thinner and healthier. Behind him, Holly was conversing with Eric Martin, the man Milo Risk had arranged to be their pilot.

Mason had liked Eric from the get-go. He seemed like a hands-on guy with no airs and graces who just wanted to get whatever job he was working on done. Mason also appreciated the way Eric had postponed one of his cargo contracts to fly them to Israel, but made it clear this was a one-off and he wouldn’t be able to offer them any more of his time. That also impressed him because he like up-front honesty. Mason had to hand it to his old friend Milo Risk, he always came through, even now they weren’t officially working together.

As they walked across the apron to the private aircraft, Mason was enjoying the cool breeze and the feeling of the sun on his face as a man named Günther guided them towards a shiny white Daher TBM parked up at the end.

“I hope this will suffice,” the Swiss man said.

“More than suffice!” Eric said, rubbing his hands together with glee. “When Milo asked me to fly you guys and that he would be providing the plane, I just presumed it would be a run-of-the-mill Cessna, or a Diamond at best, but this is something else. Way cooler than the usual stuff I fly for the cargo company. Good old Milo Risk.”

Mason looked at Eric and noted the expression on his face. “You look like you are in love, mate.”

Eric turned to him, unable to stop grinning. “I think I might just be. This is a very special aircraft. I’ve always wanted to fly one.”

“What’s so special about it?” Holly asked.

As Günther opened the rear door and pulled down the airstair, Eric faced Mason and explained. “This is a single-engine, high-performance turboprop, very highly respected in aviation circles. Nearly five hundred kilometres per hour cruise speed, a range of over three thousand kilometres and a service ceiling of ten thousand metres. Competitive take-off and landing-runs and very fuel efficient compared with a similarly sized jet.”

Eric stepped closer to the plane and gently stroked the fuselage. “Not too shabby, eh? And for the next few hours, she’s mine all mine. Thanks, Milo!”

“She belongs to Andros Air, Mr Martin,” Günther said, grinning as he tossed him the ignition keys. “She’s yours on loan only and just for the next few hours. Please remember to bring her back in one piece. She would cost you nearly four million euros to replace.”

Eric caught the keys and returned the smile. “I’ll look after her like she was my very own.”

Inside the aircraft, Eric made sure Günther was clear and switched on the engine. The four propeller blades on the aircraft’s nose began turning faster and faster until they were a blur.

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