Flight Into Oblivion

By Susan Egner

Flight attendant Casey Click provides clues that eventually identify key players in a politically connected human trafficking network. Working with friends, Bertie, Bonnie and Kit, FBI Agent Krahl and her husband Max, Casey struggles to trust her own instincts rather than the way things appear. Once again, Casey’s former boyfriend Jack Soul provides insights that lead to the right choices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Egner
• Release date: Dec 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311740366

Susan Egner

Minnesota Author Susan Egner followed her father’s footsteps into the life of a newspaper reporter before turning her pen to fiction. Her father, Lou Egner, was the well-known photojournalist for the Florida Times-Union and the former Jacksonville Journal. Now married and living in Burnsville, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, the mother of two and grandmother of four, fondly recalls, “Daddy gave cameras to my two sisters and me when we were still in elementary school saying, ‘Wherever you go, always remember to take your camera.’ He felt a story could unfold anywhere and he wanted us prepared. That training resulted in my writing about female photographers.”Encouraged by friends after hearing the stories she made up for her own children, Egner wrote and published her own children’s book series, Has Anyone Seen Woodfin? She has made multiple guest appearances with costumed characters in seven states and Shanghai, China; appearing in bookstores, elementary schools, children’s hospitals and the Mall of America. Her work was featured as one of ten programming initiatives at a gala event held in Chicago’s Field Museum by PBS affiliate, WYCC.Egner’s previous writing experience also includes writing and editing for the Dakota County Tribune, a weekly newspaper. In addition, she was a freelance writer for the Dayton Hudson Corporation Santa Bear series.Egner made the transition to e-B­­ook publishing in 2012 with her five-star rated novel, Scotoma. A gifted storyteller, Egner’s characters face challenges and often undergo personal transformation as they confront issues in contemporary society. Her stories are about ordinary people who find themselves in adverse circumstances that could face any of us. The choices each makes—and the resulting consequences—weave a tapestry of mystery, intrigue, and romance that will keep the reader wholly absorbed until the last page.Susan Egner proudly supports Operation eBook Drop, which provides free access to uniformed men and women deployed in service overseas. Learn more about Susan Egner on her website, EgnerINK, on Google+, and on Facebook.

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FOREWORD

A colleague of mine met Susan Egner in her role as an airline flight attendant. Intrigued upon learning that she is also a published author (as she shared an overview of her latest mystery novel), he became convinced that we should become acquainted.

She Is Safe (SIS) is a Christian non-profit organization that I founded in 2002. We work to prevent, rescue, and restore women and girls from suffering abuse and exploitation in high-risk and least-reached places around the globe. This is accomplished by collaborating with local initiatives of education, economic empowerment, anti-trafficking, and advocacy.

Flight into Oblivion immediately impressed me because of its clear focus on the trafficking of women and girls. Sadly, 80% of all transnational victims are females. This book focuses on their plight as they encounter all forms of exploitation and slavery at the hands of those who profit from the trade. This is not simply another mystery novel: As Egner makes clear on her website, her characters face challenges and often undergo personal transformation as they confront issues in contemporary society. Her stories are about ordinary women and girls who are forced to face some of life’s most adverse circumstances. Egner takes readers on a dark journey where we lean forward to see if the paths of these women and girls will lead to individual freedom and personal empowerment.

Flight into Oblivion represents to me a nascent awareness in popular fiction of the scourge of human trafficking we face in the United States and around the world. I join with Susan in the belief that raising the level of awareness among people in all segments of society is important if we are to achieve our common goal of defeating those who would rob others of their dignity and freedom.

And it is brilliant that the title, Flight into Oblivion, tells the story in a nutshell: Girls and women are often transported on commercial airlines through major transportation hubs. We pass them in the terminals; we sit with them—and their captors—on the planes; we see nothing. The book cover depicts a passenger plane vanishing—into oblivion—just as the young girls and women who disappear right before the eyes of those of us who are unaware. This is a compelling mystery that unveils the wretched underbelly of human trafficking, that helps us to see as we’ve never seen before, and that makes us aware of events taking place right before our eyes. We are not likely to see things in the same way again!

Michele M. Rickett

President/Founder 

She Is Safe

From the Author

Congress may be America’s only distinct criminal class. ~ Mark Twain

To their credit, companies, organizations—and individuals—are beginning to recognize that they can play an active role in combating human trafficking. The first step, of course, is to develop awareness of the problem and to learn how to effectively respond to it, once identified.

Winterland Airlines’ employees come into contact with hundreds of thousands of members of the flying public on a daily basis, so their personnel have been attending training seminars to make them alert to the signs of possible human trafficking. Flight attendant Casey Click recently completed the first of these classes, although she wondered if this was a problem she would ever actually encounter. Nevertheless she paid attention. It’s a good thing she did!

With her heart pounding and second-guessing herself right up until the last moment, Casey identified and successfully rescued a young female victim of human trafficking, including seeing her caretaker handcuffed and taken away by authorities. Her training worked: she followed the telltale signs and got results, saving a young life in the process. There was no stopping her now.

After the highly successful disruption and prosecution of terrorists affiliated with al Qaeda based on the keen observations of flight attendant Casey Click, the FBI is no longer reluctant to follow up on any concerns or suspicions she brings to their attention. In what the FBI refers to simply as the Ground Stopped case, Casey was also instrumental in rescuing Nisreen Sayeed, a professional engineer from the Middle East whose sister and mother were entrapped by Nisreen’s uncle in an almost successful terrorist plot. Thanks to Casey, Nisreen survived and was given a new identity and relocated in the United States.

Once again, Casey provides the initial clues that eventually lead to identification of the key players in a widespread human trafficking network with powerful financial and political allies, even in the halls of Congress. Working with her closest friends, Bertie, Bonnie and Kit, FBI Special Agent Krahl and her supportive husband Max, Casey is confronted at every turn about whether to trust her own instincts or reach conclusions based on the way things appear—and that her friends, her husband, and the FBI—seem willing to accept as fact. Once again, Casey’s former boyfriend Jack Soul provides her with the insights that lead to the right choices.

Dedication

No matter what you do, it’ll never amount to anything more than a single drop in a limitless ocean! What is an ocean but a multitude of drops? ~ Haskell Moore in Cloud Atlas

This story is in honor of the unseen and unheralded men and women who are doing their part, no matter how great or small, to promote awareness and combat the insidious scourge of human trafficking that is permeating the very fabric of society in the United States and around the world.

FLIGHT INTO OBLIVION

By

Susan Egner

Flight into Oblivion. Copyright © 2013 by Susan Egner

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author’s written permission.

Thank you for purchasing this Susan Egner eBook.

EgnerINK

Cover art courtesy of Captain Jackie Brix, Aviatrix

Cover design by Mike Seale

Chapter One

Casey Click, now a veteran flight attendant, checked her watch in preparation for landing. It looked like they would arrive early again, which had been true for every leg of this four-day trip. Crew members, flight attendants, and pilots alike, were always grateful when they arrived at their destination early to offset the many, sometimes long, delays they endured due to weather or mechanical problems.

Casey felt their captain, Tara, was largely responsible for these early arrivals. Though she’d tried to express her appreciation, her expressions of gratitude were met with either an abrupt nod or a curt request for something like a bottle of water. The woman was far from pleasant; in fact, she was downright unpleasant to work with and Casey wondered the motive for such antagonistic behavior. The relationship among the crew members could make or break a trip. Casey was often disappointed when long intervals of time elapsed between trips with favorite crew members; however, with this pilot, she hoped for it.

She listened to the first officer give his arrival information, appreciating the fact that their arrival gate was a short distance from a favorite Japanese restaurant in the Detroit Airport. With a two-hour break before their next flight, this location promised a delicious lunch of pork hatsu don and edamame. She wondered if Sandy, the other flight attendant, would be interested in joining her.

The wheels touched down in a feather-like landing that Casey once again recognized as the skill of their unfriendly, female captain. Normally she would feel remiss in not complimenting the landing, and in most instances, pilots seemed to appreciate verbal applause. Well, who didn’t? This time, however, she would withhold comment.

Casey had been flying for almost three years since taking early retirement as a marketing director. Two years of inactivity combined with the staggering blow to their retirement savings due to the ever-upward trend in the cost of health insurance propelled her back to work. There was little chance that she could return to her former job at the level she’d retired, nor did she want to. Her three best friends, Bertie, Bonnie and Kit had suggested becoming a flight attendant after the four of them had returned from one of their annual trips: A lovely, white-haired flight attendant had served them on their flight. It was easy for Casey to see herself in that role after that experience, and the rest is history. For the most part, Casey enjoyed the work. It gave her the opportunity to vicariously experience the lives of so many passengers as they shared their travel plans during the flight. Also, the crew told endless flight stories, most funny, some sad and a few, frankly, terrifying.

She had flown with a handful of female pilots before this one and each had been a joy to work with. Well, she sighed, she had also flown with a couple of unpleasant, even rude, male pilots, though it was rare. For the most part, crews were cohesive and congenial. One sour apple in the female pool of pilots was not so surprising.

Casey proceeded to make her arrival announcement and then waited until the aircraft reached the gate. After experiencing a trip filled with the tension of an uptight captain, it would be a relief to be finished for the day.

Her last day, she had awakened at 3:00 in the morning, Minneapolis time, but would be refreshed by a short nap after reaching home. Max had purchased tickets for the newest show at the Ordway Theater and she looked forward to attending.

Once the passengers had deplaned, the crew was free to leave without grooming the aircraft since the plane was not going out for two hours. Plenty of time for the groomers to clean the aircraft. She didn’t mind grooming the aircraft, but crossing the seatbelts on 76 seats several times a day did a number on every flight attendant’s back. Being free of that requirement was always a small blessing.

Max had the garage door open when she pulled into the driveway.

How did you know I’d be early? she asked through the open window as she pulled into the garage.

He smiled that Cheshire cat smile that always indicated he was impressed with himself. She smiled in anticipation of his explanation.

I finally figured out how to use the Winterland Airline app on my phone. It showed that you left Detroit 15 minutes early. Now I can get all your flight information.

That’s great, Max. I still haven’t figured it out. You can show me how.

Why do you need it? You’re on the flights in question.

It would help me give flight information to passengers when we’ve been delayed and they’re worried about their connections.

Oh, I see. Say, I made you a sandwich. We won’t be eating until seven and I thought you might like a bite before your nap.

I am hungry. Thank you for thinking of it.

While she inhaled her sandwich, Max asked, Did things ever improve with your lady captain?

"Lady? she choked on a mouthful of food. Far from it."

"I’ll take that as a no."

Chapter Two

Casey slept-in the next morning, relishing the start of a five-day break. Most breaks between trips were two days: if you’re lucky, three. Once in awhile she received four to six glorious days at home. One thing about an airline career, it taught you to appreciate home.

When Casey climbed out of bed, she walked across the room to the window and opened the wooden blinds. She was surprised to see that fall colors seemed to have emerged just in the short time she was gone. Where had the summer gone? She thought back over the several long stays at their cabin in northern Wisconsin. Usually Mandy came up with the children to enjoy some canoeing or swimming. Weather permitting, Max would build a bonfire in the evening where he would tell ghost stories, sometimes even including Jack Soul, while the kids would make s'mores. The children were still too young to canoe alone, so Casey would pack a shore lunch, and the entire family would paddle until they found a pleasant spot for a picnic. These were wonderful memories that she hoped her grandchildren would remember long after Max and she were gone. All in all, though the summer was a little late in starting, it had been very enjoyable. She had squeezed every last minute she could between her trips to spend time with family and friends.

However, fall was approaching and quickly on its heels, winter. She had planned to plant at least 300 tulip and jonquil bulbs before the ground froze. This break would offer the perfect opportunity to drive to Gertens Nursery to purchase bulbs.

When she met Max in the kitchen, he handed her a cup of tea.

Wow, aren’t you Johnny on-the-spot? she said, giving him a peck on the cheek as she took the cup.

I was thinking, said Max, why don’t we go out for lunch at the Inside Out? We haven’t been there in awhile, and it’s close to Gertens. We could shop for tulip bulbs after.

Casey laughed, always amazed at how synchronized their thoughts often were.

That would be wonderful, she said.

Let’s plan on leaving at 11:00; is that enough time for you? You can tell me about your trip on the way.

However, there wasn’t much in the way of positive news Casey could share, and she didn’t want to start her five-day break with negative stories. Instead, she turned the conversation to the design of the newest edition to their English garden.

Chapter Three

At the end of five days, refreshed and ready to go, Casey reported for her next trip. The other flight attendant, already on board, greeted her as she stepped onto the aircraft.

Hi, I’m Darby. I don’t think we’ve flown together before.

It was all Casey could do to keep her jaw from dropping wide open. The young woman was positively stunning. Her flowing copper hair and flawless makeup didn’t seem needed to enhance the 35-year-old woman’s spectacular looks. She carried herself as if she had been a runway model, serene and confident. Even the flight attendant uniform looked expensively tailored on a perfect, hourglass figure.

Hi, I’m Casey, she blurted out.

When the pilots boarded, their reaction to this beguiling creature closely resembled Casey’s with the addition of low wolf whistles. Casey couldn’t blame them. She’d flown with plenty of young, attractive flight attendants but nothing equal to the caliber of Darby’s dazzling good looks.

John, Kelly, this is Darby, said Casey.

The captain gave Darby a toothy grin and said, Welcome aboard! sounding very much like the spider welcoming unsuspecting prey to his web. Are you new?

No, not really. Why?

I think I would have remembered you.

Well, I guess we’ve never had the chance to fly together before. It’s nice to meet you, she said, extending her hand.

In that case, there’s something seriously wrong with the bidding system.

Darby released a low, come hither laugh and said, Now, you’re teasing me.

Casey watched these antics with amusement, knowing full well that John had a lovely wife, whom he adored. That had been obvious from the many conversations they’d shared on other trips. Casey could tell he was just enjoying himself. The first officer was a different story. He appeared to be seriously tongue-tied and Casey thought she could detect a slight blush beneath his five o’clock shadow. She noticed that Kelly’s eyes seemed to glaze over whenever he looked at Darby. My goodness, she thought, I think he’s smitten. Unfortunately, if Casey was correct, Kelly was too young and inexperienced for the likes of Darby who was in the process of flashing him a brilliant smile as she introduced herself and took his hand. Casey was certain Darby was in a class far beyond Kelly’s reach, nice guy though he was.

Passengers began to board, sending the crew to their required tasks and ending such thoughts. Darby was working aft, so Casey would not be able to see passengers’ reactions as they boarded and spotted her. Later in the flight, she was sure to hear some comments. After three legs and dozens of ogling men and cooing women, Casey knew. The surprising thing was, Darby won over the women as easily as the men. They adored her.

At the end of the first day, the crew took the shuttle to their layover hotel in Cleveland. During the drive, Casey listened while the pilots outdid each other, or at least tried to, in impressing Darby. However, their mood was quickly dampened when the crew walked up to the hotel’s front desk and a very attractive man in a handsomely tailored business suit stepped over to greet Darby. After Darby registered, the two disappeared, much to the surprise of the crew.

Later the crew met in the hotel’s restaurant bar and found Darby already present with her male acquaintance. She signaled them over and introduced her friend.

Everyone, this is Mike Loden, she said. Not one member of the crew missed the twinkle of amusement in Darby’s eyes.

Loden shook hands and offered to buy a round of drinks. Always tight on expenses, everyone readily accepted.

Casey, what can I get you?

Perhaps a nice merlot, thank you, Mike.

My pleasure. May I see a wine list, please?

Just a house wine is fine, said Casey.

Taking the wine list the bartender offered, Mike said, None of this house wine stuff. Loden proceeded to order top-shelf drinks for everyone.

What brings you to Cleveland, Mike? asked John.

I’m from here, he said.

Darby jumped in. I met Mike on one of my layovers, maybe, what Mike, a year ago?

Sounds about right. I get to enjoy this lovely lady’s company whenever she’s in town, which isn’t often enough in my book.

Darby beamed a pleased smile, and Casey wondered if the two were in love. Certainly acted like it. The group chatted a bit more before Darby and Mike excused themselves for dinner at a more upscale restaurant.

Well, he was a nice guy, said John.

Very nice, agreed Casey, as she stood up. If you gentlemen will excuse me.

Aren’t you going to have dinner?

Not after all those appetizers. I’m too full to eat more. I’ll see you at breakfast.

With that Casey left for her room with plans to call Max.

Chapter Four

When the crew reported for their shuttle at 8:00 the next morning, they were not surprised when Mike escorted Darby onto the elevator. Darby looked dazzling with a blush to her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes. Casey could easily read John and Kelly’s thoughts.

Yep, she got laid.

However, when the couple parted, they did so with a decorous handshake.

That was odd, thought Casey. Well, perhaps Darby thought it more appropriate in front of crew members.

Once on the shuttle, the captain asked, How was your dinner, Darby?

It was wonderful, she said. We had ceviche. Have you had it?

Crew members answered the question with blank looks, so Darby proceeded to explain how shrimp was cooked without heat. Lime juice accomplished the cooking. Then the shrimp was mixed with avocado and cilantro. Casey had to admit, it sounded delicious. She would have to mention it to Max as something they should try. Surely she could find a recipe online.

Casey and Darby proceeded with their preflight check of safety and medical equipment, while the pilots performed their own flight routine in the flight deck and outside the aircraft. Once again, Darby was a big hit on board the flight. Today she worked forward, or first class, but had plenty of time to mix with passengers seated in the main cabin. When Casey set about to collect trash, she was surprised to find a much cleaner plane. It was almost as if passengers were excited to hand their trash and other litter to Darby. Casey was continually surprised that a woman as gorgeous as Darby was also a great communicator with all types of passengers, men, women, young and old. She seemed to connect easily.

Their next layover provided a long stay in Washington, DC, promising sightseeing tours, Casey thought hopefully. There were several new memorials she’d like to visit as well as another part of the Smithsonian. She was determined to visit all sections of the Smithsonian eventually, if it killed her.

She especially wanted to sit by the new World War II Memorial. Her last visit had been nothing more than a dash through the powerful new site. This time she wanted to sit with her journal by the reflecting pool in the autumn sunshine and write down some of her memories. Her peer group had been involved in the Vietnam War and other wars since; but she remembered some of the stories told of World War II by her uncles, as well as her grandfather. Even one great aunt had been a nurse in London during the long days of blackouts and bombings in the Battle of Britain. She wanted to recall some of those memories to share with her children and grandchildren since the tellers of these stories were long dead.

Weather in Cleveland delayed their departure briefly; but as they finally flew in the direction of DC, the skies cleared.

I’m going over to the Washington Mall and visit some of the memorials, said Casey to Darby, as they prepared their beverage services. Care to join me?

Actually I’m meeting a friend. I think we’re going to Mt. Vernon.

Darby’s friend obviously had a car, but Darby showed no inclination to include her crew members. They would have to take the train from the hotel and walk from the station to the Mall.

Well, Casey chided herself, I can certainly use the exercise. I get little enough of it, other than racing through airports pulling my roller bag, and that must not count since it doesn’t seem to be affecting my expanding waistline.

She began her beverage service, stopping to chat with passengers as she served their drinks. She heard the reasons for their trips, some sad, some all business, but most, joyful vacations. Some were returning as she listened to children expound on their trips.

We went to Disney World, said one carrot-topped 10-year-old. It’s a good thing a lot of it is in inside ’cause I burn really easy.

What was your favorite? asked Casey, as she handed him his Sprite. My favorite was Small World and the Haunted Mansion.

Aw, that’s for little kids, scoffed the boy. The haunted house was okay, but I liked Space Mountain better.

You’re braver than I am, smiled Casey.

I think you’re brave, said a similarly complected girl seated beside him who looked to be about six years old and obviously his sister.

You do? Why is that?

Well, my mom hates to fly. She’s scared to death, said the girl, eying her mother across the aisle.

She’s right, said the mother in a laughing voice. It does scare me.

It’s safer than a car, reassured Casey.

See, I told you, you’re brave. You fly all the time and don’t think anything of it.

Do you like to fly?

The girl nodded vigorously. I think it’s fun.

Well then, maybe when you grow up, you can think about becoming a flight attendant.

The girl glanced at her mother, obviously expecting a negative reaction, but was surprised when her mother agreed.

That’s certainly something you can think about, Stella. Maybe you should get some books from the library and read about it.

Stella gave her mother such a look of adoration that Casey was charmed. Here was a mother terrified of flying but understanding that a good mother never held a child back based on her own fears. Casey beamed a smile of approval her way and was rewarded with the same.

After the captain made the arrival announcement, Casey collected what little trash there was. Once again, passengers seemed determined to give their trash to Darby.

Chapter Five

When the crew arrived at their Washington hotel, an expensively attired man stepped out to greet Darby.

Hi, Jim, it’s nice to see you, said Darby.

Casey caught winks exchanged over Darby’s head between the pilots. She had flown with John enough to know that he would find this set of circumstances alarming. Overly conservative, John would be searching in his mind for some justification for Darby’s behavior.

Well, thought Casey, surely Jim would not stay the night as Mike obviously had. This just must be an unusual event where two back-to-back layovers placed Darby in the vicinity of friends or relatives. She eyed Jim, looking for some family resemblance but did not recognize any.

Later when the crew met for dinner, Darby and her friend, Jim Thorndike, joined them for cocktails. As on the previous night, Darby’s friend bought a round of drinks for the crew before the two left for dinner elsewhere.

You live in DC, Jim? asked the captain.

Arlington, Virginia, but I work in DC.

Government work?

Something like that, answered Jim noncommittally. We should be on our way, Darby. I made reservations for 8:00.

I’ll see you in the morning, said Darby, taking Jim’s arm.

Once the two had disappeared into the lobby, John erupted. What’s that all about?

Maybe they’re friends, offered Casey.

Guess we’ll find out in the morning just how good a friend, he said, winking toward Kelly, who kept his thoughts to himself, though his face looked sullen.

And Darby did not disappoint.