Search for Contentment by Marlene Bierworth

Author:Marlene Bierworth [Bierworth, Marlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-15T05:00:00+00:00

Melanie hurried into the airport nine hours later. It was busy with evening travelers, but she knew her way around, and headed to check in her bag. Towing her carry-on, she boarded the flight that she’d managed to secure at the last minute. She signed with relief when the doors closed behind the last passenger, and turned to look out the window. It had been a long day, and she was exhausted but eager to get to Knight Manor.

She had just finished up at the police station when the call came in for the flight. At first, her peers bombarded her with questions about her vacation, but after she revealed the attempted murder, they gathered around to show support. The captain offered additional time off before she’d asked. While her report was given and documented, downstairs, they ran the plates of the vehicle she’d photographed at the motel. A team of detectives and the crime-scene lab prepared to head out to investigate the river location. Melanie became unglued at the thought of returning to the woods and broke down emotionally. It was decided that she may be at risk, and leaving for her safe house in Georgia became a priority. Everyone was supportive, and for the first time, she felt a part of something bigger than herself.

It turned out that closing the airplane doors did not magically put the jet in the air. A maintenance glitch postponed take off for thirty minutes. The passengers appeared preoccupied with books, phones, computers, movies, and no one seemed to notice Melanie until a wanna-be Casanova parked himself in the vacant seat next to her. He wreaked of alcohol from a drinking binge and drooled unwanted attention over Melanie.

“Hey, baby. Didn’t I see you last night at Drake’s Bar?”

“No. You’ve confused me with someone else.”

“She sure looked like you. Purty as a picture.”

He slurred his words and Melanie made a show of annoyance, wiping away the spittle that had landed on her bare hand.

“I doubt your eyes are focused enough to see any such similarities this evening.”

He laughed, a gurgling, disgusting sound, and Melanie squeezed closer to the window. “Right snippy tonight, aren’t you?”

Melanie breathed in deeply and beckoned for the flight attendant. “May I have a pillow, please?” She beaded threatening eyes on the man parked next to her. “I’d like to rest during the flight.”

The woman nodded and smiled politely. “Of course,” she said, “but you realize it’s a short flight.”

“I do.”

The cushion was brought promptly and after the flight attendant left Melanie said to the man beside her, “Sir, maybe you should try resting instead of talking.” She stuffed the cushion under her head and leaned against the window, turning her back to her pesky neighbor. Before she could settle, Melanie heard a tell-tale snore.

Really? It was just her luck.

Melanie couldn’t sleep or even pretend to sleep, so she changed positions and stared straight ahead. All too soon the snoring stopped, and the chatter began.

“Where you headed, little miss?”

“Georgia, obviously, unless I’ve boarded the wrong plane.

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