Chapter 10 - The Flight to NowhereRain slicked the tarmac at the private airfield on the outskirts of the city. A sleek Gulfstream N700 sat idling under the floodlights, its jet engines whining as they spooled up for takeoff.
Ethan tossed two heavy metal briefcases into the aircraft cabin, his breath ragged in the cold air. "Hurry up, Claire! The charter pilot says air traffic control is closing the airspace in ten minutes!"
Claire stood at the bottom of the air stairs, wrapped in a dark trench coat, staring back at the distant city skyline glowing through the storm. Her eyes were no longer those of a fragile, victimized heiress. They were sharp, cold, and calculated.
"Is Eleanor fully secured in the county jail?" Claire asked, her voice steady.
"Vance booked her half an hour ago," Ethan said, grabbing her arm to pull her up the stairs. "The fake audio file worked perfectly. By the time their forensic tech realizes the digital timestamp was spoofed, our plane will be crossing international waters into non-extradition territory."
"And my father?" Claire asked.
"Harrison is rotting in state prison," Ethan smirked, shutting the heavy cabin door behind them. "He thinks he was double-crossed by Eleanor. Eleanor thinks she was framed by you. Nobody suspects that you and I planned this from the very day your mother died."
Claire sat in the plush leather seat, pouring two glasses of crystal champagne. She handed one to Ethan.
"To the $50 million Blackwood Trust," Ethan toasted, clinking his glass against hers. "And to the innocent victim who fooled the entire world."
Claire took a slow sip, a cold smile appearing on her face. "You really are gullible, Ethan."
May you like
Ethanās smile faded. "What did you say?"
CHAPTER 10 HOOK: Suddenly, the airplaneās jet engines shut down completely. The cabin lights flickered and died, plunging them into pitch blackness. Outside the jet windows, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the runwayāsurrounding the aircraft from every direction.
