Chapter 6

Red remained where she was for a few moments, still wondering how in the span of a few hours, she became the new owner of a classic GB in excellent shape. She finally headed out of the tent and made her way towards the Stars and Stripes tent. She decided to change course and head towards the camper and change into something a little less conspicuous. She needed to put those papers in a safe place as well.

An hour later as she made her way towards the display tent, her mind was still buzzing around about being the owner of one of the only truly original GeeBee's in existence. Those that flew today were replicas and models. If what Cliff said was true, this model was a one of a kind. She'd have to do a little more research when she got back home but for now, she had just gone for the ride of her life today…and it was only Friday.

She walked through the crowds that were beginning to thin and made it to her tent in relatively good time. She smiled at Rachelle who just shook her head and sighed. "How could I guess," was all she could say. "Now I have to figure out how to get it back north."

Red looked around a little, "Rachelle, calm down. We'll send for one of the guys to catch a ride that knows how to fly the Huey and Lex can fly the Steerman back."

Rachelle sighed, "Fine. I'll call the hanger tomorrow and get one of the guys down here on Sunday morning." She knew it was worth it but she loved giving Red a hard time.

"So, what do you want to do for supper? If you're willing to watch the table, I was thinking I could run into town for some Chinese or Italian take-out," she offered. "I can time it so that you guys will be back to the trailer by the time I get back. Think you can manage to 'lock' up for the night?" she teased.

Red looked at Lex who looked back at Rachelle and suddenly hunched over, one shoulder pushed up and his arms hanging limply at his side. He got this twisted look on his face as he grunted out, "Yes, mistress…"

Red couldn't help but laugh at that and Rachelle threw a balled up piece of paper at her with a mock glare. Red held up her hands, "Ok ok. I give. Chinese sounds wonderful. Rice noodles if they have them."

Lex nodded, "General Tao's Chicken for me," he said, liking his food spicy and hot.

Rachelle chuckled and headed out the door, disappearing into the 'street' outside and moved towards the parking lot for their rental car. Red looked over at Lex and both settled in for a little while longer. Things didn't close down officially till 6pm and they still had a good hour to go.

Lex was latching the walls onto the tent supports with Red holding them in place until he was ready to move to the next section. They had gotten all but one done when Michael came into the tent after peeking his head in to give a cordial hello.

"Michael," said Red as she finished holding up the last piece for Lex. "What brings you here?" A little smile had formed at the corners of her mouth showing she didn't mind seeing him again.

Michael was dressed in a three piece suit of a dark gray and a casual blue tie over a white shirt. He had sandy brown hair that was cut and styled in the most current of fashion and it looked good on him. His blue eyes showed against his sun tanned face and he was of a slender but sturdy build.

"Well, I was hoping to take you out for supper and a drink. Seems my company is interested in hiring you to do some work for them," he said with a little grin that creased the skin around the corners of his mouth.

Red stood there a moment and looked at him as the ramifications of what he'd just said began to sink in. A movie company…wanting to hire them. It was almost too much to hope for. This could be their one big break they needed to get well and truly back on the map.

"Really? I mean, that's fantastic." She looked at him for a long moment then smiled, looking at Lex who was grinning like a madman. "I guess I better go back and change then. I don't think you want me to be seen in public in jeans and a t-shirt under a flight jacket.

Michael chuckled, "How about I pick you up at your trailer in half an hour. Will that be enough time for you to get ready?"

She chuckled, "I think so. See you in thirty." With that, she watched as Michael wave a slight wave and then headed out of the tent.

Lex nudged her, "Hey now, no funny business with him. You got Sam, remember?"

She blinked at him, "Huh?" she said in confusion and then it dawned on her, "Oh for Christ sake Lex. Michael's too hoity toity for me. But hey, free supper and drinks. Be nice to be wined and dined for a change. It's part of the business I guess."

Lex sighed and shrugged, "All right, off with you. I'll be there in a bit. Just make sure you wear something nice enough to impress him that you're a lady and not a tom boy."

Reaching over, Red smacked Lex upside his head. "Yes daaaad…," she mocked as she ducked under the tent wall, only peeking back in to grow, "…and don't eat my rice noodles. I'll save those for lunch tomorrow." With that she headed to the trailer in a trot.

Good to his word, Michael was there half an hour later and with a limo to boot. Red had found her black evening dress to get changed into once she'd done a quick pinup of her hair. The dress was something she'd had made for her. It looked elegant enough but covered her scars from the crash. She'd had trouble finding a nice evening dress that didn't expose some of the burned skin or ragged or ugly pink scars. It also allowed her to conceal her small 22mm bobcat pistol.

She never went anywhere without a gun anymore unless she was alone, but even then, there was one usually close at hand. The bobcat was just small enough for her to wear comfortably and keep it hidden from casual observation. It was strapped to her thigh in an upside down holster for easy draw.

Michael gave a handsome smile, "You are constantly amazing me. I didn't realize we'd be looking to hire such a beautiful woman as well as a talented pilot," he said, charming her as he held open the back door to the limo.

Red flushed at the compliment and allowed him to hand her into the limo, sliding over as he got in after she was settled and seated himself next to her. The door was shut and the limo started off at a slow roll, picking up speed as it got past most of the trailers. Pulling out into the Las Vegas streets, she turned to look at him then at the sights of all the neon.

"I know of this little restaurant not far from here. It serves the best Italian. Interested?" Michael asked as they rolled past the casinos and hotels on the strip.

She chuckled, "I'd like that. So, why Stars and Stripes Air Services Michael?" she asked, trying to open some conversation with what she was here for…business.

He held up a hand, "All in good time. You've had a hard couple of days I'd guess. Sit back and enjoy the view. We'll have plenty of time to discuss business after we've had a chance to eat." He smiled again, warmly it seemed as he gazed at her.

Red chuckled and settled into the seat as she turned to watch the sights as they streamed by. As she was admiring the fountain outside of the Paris Casino, she felt him lay a hand on her arm, his fingers entwining around her wrist and felt the sharp sting of something against the soft skin of the flesh there. "What the…," was all she had time to say as she reached for her gun, her head turning to look at Michael.

There was a cool look to his face, an intensity of purpose as he held to her wrist of the hand that was closest to the gun. "Don't reach for it Miss Hawkes," was all he said as she began to hear a roaring in her ears.

The lights of the Strip began to spin and dim. "What…the …hell…," was all she could manage to slur out before she felt her lose control of her limbs, unable to get them to respond to her command.

And then the world went away for awhile as she slipped into a soft black downy sleep.