Chapter Twenty Six– The Last Piece of the Puzzle

/Two months later/

Eli Sande, President of the Federation World Airlines glanced out through the office window situated on the third floor of the executive building at Dulles International Airport in Washington. The air was crisp and chilly this early autumn day but the sun was gently warming the people milling around outside.

He hastily checked his wristwatch and crossed his fingers. Today was to be a big day for the company and if everything went according to plan. Captain Metrand and Captain Patroni would be airborne and on their way from France at the very moment.

There was a knock on the door and without waiting for a reply Vice President Joshua Dalton popped his head in. "They've left," he said as if he knew what was on the other man's mind.

Eli nodded with a smirk. "I have both longed for and dreaded this day," he admitted.

Dalton walked into the room and sat down opposite his superior and friend. "The dynamic duo reported in just before I left and demanded we left some champagne for them," he said jovially, talking about the two captains.

"The dynamic duo," Eli echoed and shook his head in amusement. "The disaster twins, Papa Bear and the Pink Panther," he trailed off with a low chuckle. "Our boys have been called a lot of things lately."

"Media refers to them as heroes of the sky," Dalton said seriously.

"Yeah," Eli replied as got serious too. "For once media and I are in total agreement."

"There is one thing, Eli," Dalton said. "Was it necessary to pull them out of their schedule-"

One stern look from Sande silenced the vice president. "You weren't there but I was and I saw them in action, together. I wanted them to go and get it, together. Metrand needs that break from his position as fleet captain and Patroni would certainly appreciate flying something faster than a regular jet until the other aircraft is to be delivered," stated. "They will never fly together again as they have the same rank. I wanted them to have a normal flight together, like that disaster that ended up in the Alps was supposed to have been."

Dalton nodded solemnly. "About that," he began carefully. "There is one thing I don't understand."

"Only one?" Eli joked.

"What was the connection between the air force pilot and Kevin Harrison and where did he get the fighter jet?"

Eli sighed wearily. "Carmine Drake," he said darkly as he leveled his eyes with Dalton's. "I've only known it for a couple of days myself."

"Who was he?" Dalton asked.

"A former air force pilot, kicked out of service because of disciplinary problems. He immigrated to the African continent after getting released from duty and ended up at the doorstep of a powerful and wealthy man with a shady past," Eli explained.

"It's a long story isn't it?" Dalton said with a grimace as he scratched the back of his head.

"Basically, Drake became a trusted employee of the wealthy man but he longed for flying. With an unlimited amount of money supplied by his employer Drake decided to start developing his own fighter jet. He wanted a model to start from and after learning that a French fighter jet was to be sold on auction as scrap, he returned to France to fly it back to his new home and take it apart. His founder was a longtime friend of Doctor Kevin Harrison's associate in France so when he called upon a favor the wealthy African called Drake who happened to be in Paris that day and said that he could expect a nice bonus in his pocket if he took a little detour and did a little target practice on his way home. He never questioned the motives behind the attack and went in for the kill but he made one fatal mistake, he underestimated the cunning and experience of the commercial supersonics' flight crew," Eli finished proudly.

"Another coincidence," Dalton muttered in disbelief. "My goodness, life is made up by coincidences. If Maggie Whelan had never boarded flight 28 for Paris none of this would have happened. If Captain Patroni hadn't managed to lure the military drone…if Captain Metrand hadn't remembered there was a snowfield in the Alps…"

"Do you believe in faith, Joshua?" Eli asked rhetorically. "I didn't when I was in your age but too many things has happened lately for me to question whether or not things are meant to be. No matter how much you want to believe that you're in control of your own life you'll never be just that."

"That's way too deep for me," Dalton returned with a ghost of a smile.

"Let's skip the gloom then and crack open a bottle of Champagne. Let's celebrate all there is to celebrate. The Concorde, our people, our company, the downfall of Harrison Industries," he suggested as he got out of his chair and made for the door with Dalton in tow.

"I thought there was none left?" Joshua asked innocently.

Eli smirked enigmatically. "A president's privilege."

OOOOOO

Maggie looked up as she heard a clicking noise and her look of confusion vanished only to be replaced by a dazzling smile. Jeffrey smiled back as he halted into the room, his cane making the noise she'd heard as it touched the hard marble floor.

"Jeffrey!" she exclaimed happily as she walked over to greet him with a gentle hug. "I'm so glad to see you."

He blushed a little and then nodded with a tight smile. "I'm glad to be here," he said seriously.

An awkward silence suddenly settled over the two for a moment until the science reporter cleared his throat and turned to look directly at Maggie. "So, I saw you on the air that day," he began.

"Yeah," she whispered and ran a hand through her silky hair. "You have no idea how nervous I was."

"You were right, all that time you were right, Maggie. I'm sorry for doubting you in the beginning," he said.

"No, Jeffrey. I'm sorry for dragging you and Lennie into this mess. You could have been killed," she returned regrettably.

"Could have been," he reasoned with a smirk. "But it didn't happen. I'm standing right in front of you and even though you might be a bit accident prone at times-"

"I'm not," she interrupted feigning annoyance as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder.

He laughed. "Anyway, Maggie. I'm glad I was there. I fear what would have happened to you if Lennie hadn't stuck to you as well when I was at the hospital."

It was her time to laugh. "I'm standing right in front of you," she said echoing his words and then added confidently; "And I'm not going anywhere."

"There you are!" Lennie said in relief as he popped his head into the lounge. "I've been looking all over for you."

"And here's the mother hen," Jeffrey said lightly with a twinkle in his eyes.

Lennie rolled his eyes. "You two would be lost without me – literally," he complained. "They're waiting for you, they want to slap your backs and congratulate you."

"You mean us?" Maggie said with a smirk. "You're a part of this too Lennie."

Jeffrey nodded seriously. "Yeah, a big part of it."

"In that case, we'll all go and get our shoulders patted," Lennie said with a chuckle. "I do take it that you've both heard that Willie Halpern, the lead programmer at Harrison Industries, has been sentenced to twenty-five years for attempted mass murder?"

Maggie placed a hand in front of her mouth in astonishment.

"And that the Chairman of the board, John Field, is facing several charges ranging from withholding of information to corruptive business," Lennie added. "Did I mention that the Harrison Industries stocks are falling to zero and that several risk capital companies no longer wants to be associated with the doomed enterprise."

"I can't believe it's happening," Maggie said.

"You want me to pinch you?" Jeffrey volunteered innocently.

Maggie laughed. "Let's go and attend the party guys," she said happily.

OOOOOO

First Officer Pierre La Croix covered his mouth to stave off a yawn as he got into the taxi that would take him and the young flight engineer out to the aircraft. He rubbed his tired eyes and decided he was too old for the kind of party thrown by the company to celebrate the arrival of the new Concorde the day before. La Croix cast a glance in the rear mirror and noted with satisfaction that the young American didn't look that well rested either.

The taxi pulled up next to the aircraft only a moment later and the first officer nodded his thanks to the driver and opened the door to get out.

"The moment of truth," La Croix said with a grin as the flight engineer, Danny Gulliver, pushed the rear passenger door open and got out to join him.

"This is a dream coming through," Gulliver mused humbly as he watched the sleek aircraft in front of them.

La Croix nodded seeing the awe in the young face and suddenly wished the British flight engineer Peter O'Neil had been with him instead. But Mr. Sande had been specific when he said he wanted to give Gulliver the experience. O'Neil would fly with them occasionally but would be teamed with Captain Patroni and First Officer Hubbs when the other Concorde was to arrive in seven months.

La Croix had been young too but he'd forgotten how it was. He was used to fly with people who'd been at it for years and could call upon their experience. Before him he saw a man with self-confidence and good looks and that would take the engineer far but not all the way. However, he would learn along the ride.

"A beauty isn't she?" A familiar French accented voice spoke up from behind them.

Pierre turned around to see Captain Paul Metrand with a cautious smile on his face. "Paul," he exclaimed gladly as he tipped his hat in a mock salute then turned to introduce the other man. "Captain Paul Metrand this is our new flight engineer Danny Gulliver."

Gulliver eagerly reached out to shake the Captain's hand. "An honor, sir," he said.

"No need to get star struck, Gulliver," La Croix said with a chuckle. "He's human like the rest of us."

"Welcome onboard, Mr. Gulliver," Paul said politely with a cunning smile, ignoring the remark made by his first officer. "You better ignore Mr. La Croix, I've known him for years and during all that time he hasn't said much worth remembering."

"Thanks," La Croix said dryly.

"You're welcome," Metrand replied smugly and turned to the engineer. "So, fresh from the flight academy?"

"I have been on duty for two transatlantic flights and was fortunate enough to fly on several test flights for the factory," Gulliver informed proudly.

Paul and Pierre glanced at each other, their communication so honed in and well-tuned that the engineer never picked up on their slight uneasiness.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be a good compliment to FWA," Paul finally said.

Gulliver beamed at the comment and suddenly gave a low whistle as the cabin crew arrived in a taxi.

Paul and Pierre turned around to follow his gaze just in time to see Isabelle exit the cab's front passenger door and smile at them. Claude exited the back of the cab together with two stunning brunettes.

The team of four headed up to the trio waiting for them and Isabelle nodded toward Paul and Pierre before stepping up to Danny to properly introduce herself and her crew.

"Well, if you'd excuse us," Claude said politely. "We better get onboard and see what awaits us. I do hope they haven't forgot to equip her with everything we need."

Pierre chuckled. "The things you need to make sure the passengers are happy or the things you need to make it through the day?" he teased.

The steward made a face and shook his head as he, together with the new brunettes, made his way up the ladder.

Danny Gulliver watched them for a moment but then focused entirely on the head stewardess who made no move to follow the rest of them. Instead, to his surprise, she walked up to the captain and sneaked an arm around his middle.

"So," Paul began with a smile as he glanced from Isabelle and up at the new aircraft and then back again. "Are you ready for this?"

Isabelle let out a shaky breath and then smiled uncertainly at him. "As long as you don't plan to land on a mountainside," she said softly.

The captain chuckled and gently leaned in to give her a kiss. "Wouldn't dream about it," he said softly.

She crinkled her nose and a warm, genuine smile spread over her lips as they parted. "Well then, Captain Metrand," she said seductively.

He smiled coyly as he put an arm around her shoulder and steered her toward the first step. "Well then, Flight Attendant Delé," he said.

Behind them First Officer Pierre La Croix gently elbowed flight engineer Danny Gulliver. The young American looked surprised and unbelieving at the same time, eliciting a smile from the seasoned Frenchman.

"She's a no go, Romeo," La Croix said, amused at the dejected look on Gulliver's face. "And she's older than she looks."

"You know, I rarely say this but I know when I'm beaten," he replied. "Besides, with the boss out of the picture I'll have plenty of opportunity with the other girls onboard. I heard he's a ladies man, he's got quite a reputation."

Pierre La Croix sighed and rolled his eyes at him. "I think it's safe to say that those days are over. Now come on, let's get out of here and get this bird in the air," he said in amusement as they followed the couple toward the cabin.

Together the crew of seven began their preparations for yet another day, yet another flight.

OOOOOO

The End.

/Thank you for reading. I hope you liked the closure to this movie ;)