"There's probably a rational explanation," Frank continued. "But Dad and John go way back. Dad says this behavior is unlike John and I'm inclined to trust his judgement."

Joe scratched his ear. "So, what do we do?"

"You could page him over the PA," Nancy suggested.

Frank hesitated. "That isn't the best idea, but I think you're on the right track. Come on, I've had a thought." As he started to walk off, he stopped and hesitated. "You said you were heading home. Your flight-"

"-Doesn't matter," she smoothly cut in. "I'll postpone. Why don't you fill me in?"

He didn't look reassured. "Nancy, I know you're busy-"

"I told you. I've finished my case. There's nothing for me at home."

Her face was all hard lines. He could see how tense her jaw was, and her eyes were too bright, almost feverish against her pallid cheeks. He noticed again that she wasn't as polished and put together as he remembered. He wanted to reach out and smooth the lines from around her mouth.

She held his gaze and pulled out her phone. She spoke with someone for a few moments and he gathered that she'd canceled her flight due to "sudden business needs" and organized a travel credit for when she was more certain of her plans.

"Right. Okay," He stammered. "The client we're supposed to be meeting is a guy called John Greenacre. He's very important, very wealthy and he's an airline executive."

"With Away Air," Joe chipped in.

Nancy glanced around at the lounge as she followed the brothers. She took in the signs, the staff in their uniforms. "Away Air is only the biggest airline in the US right now," she observed. "That's impressive."

"He went to college with Dad. They were good friends. They used to trade mystery paperbacks. John comes from a family of judges, and everyone thought he was going to end up going into law. But he came up with some business pitches and changed his classes pretty early on. He's been in Forbes and everything. I don't think he's been too close with anyone from the old days. But he reached out to Dad and asked for his help."

"What with?" Nancy's question came out sharper than she'd intended. But her feet were hurting. She was tired. And her temples ached. She had too many questions. She was still thinking about Frank and the fact that he was a dad. But those questions stirred emotions, and she wasn't sure how to go about unspooling her feelings. It was easier to be clinical and stick to the facts.

"That's the thing," Joe said. "We don't know what's going on."

"Your dad wouldn't take a case without knowing more information," Nancy said emphatically. "I know him better than that. Even if they were friends once."

Frank nodded. "You're right. He wouldn't normally. But John asked for discretion. I imagine he was going to at least explain some of it when they were supposed to meet over Skype. But, like I said, he missed their meeting. No explanation. And Dad can't look into this. He's on an important case in London and it'll tie him up a few more days."

They'd arrived at the inquiries desk. Frank slid his business card across the desk and advised the clerk that he had a meeting with Mr. Greenacre and asked if his client had at least checked in at the airport.

The clerk looked doubtful. But when Joe managed to find the email of engagement and the two brothers had produced their ID cards the clerk looked into their query.

"Mr. Greenacre should be in the terminal," she said, surprised. "He checked into a flight at LAX which arrived an hour ago." She typed quickly. "His luggage is still with us. It was never collected. And he doesn't have any other flights booked until later today."

Joe explained to Nancy, "he was flying out tonight for work. That's why we were going to meet here at the lounge. He was supposed to have plenty of time to see us."

The clerk hurriedly tried to reassure them. "I'm sure he's just tied up. He's a very important man. He probably had to meet with someone else. He won't be far. It's an airport. Very safe. Look at all the cameras and security!"

If it was so safe, why did Nancy have a feeling of tension in her gut?

Frank felt it too. When the clerk suggested paging his client he again declined.

The trio walked away from the desk and Frank sighed.

"You know, she's probably right. Why don't we stretch our legs, and get a Starbucks, or something? I think I need a change of scenery. I'm sorry Nancy. This is probably a waste of time."

"It's okay. Something is going on here. Why haven't you paged your client?" she pressed.

The brothers exchanged a look.

"It's just a feeling," Joe said.

"And based on logic," Frank snapped. He was a logical person. He didn't operate on "feelings" alone. "He's had some stuff happen in his past. There were threats sent to him. It was during the Global Financial Crisis. He had to cut jobs. One of the other executives got axed and he took it hard. He sent lots of nasty emails, slashed John's tires, that sort of thing. He got arrested and might have even served some time. And there's been talk about more cuts coming. Away has had some accidents lately. It's caused market uncertainty, stocks are dropping. You might recall that the CEO resigned a week ago."

"So, he's probably not super popular right now. There are vibes. He's been around a long time and has seniority in a company where dodgy stuff is happening. We wanted to be discrete. Just in case," Joe finished.

"You think he wants you to look into the accidents?" Nancy pressed.

"Potentially."

"Absolutely. I feel certain," Joe said.

Nancy had to laugh at the discrepancy in their responses. "I'm going to stop you both there. I feel like I'm watching tennis with you two. I might need a coffee to switch on."

The three found a Starbucks booth against a big window.

Frank volunteered to get their orders and Nancy draped her blazer across her knees and stared out across the concrete tarmac. She could see two Away airplanes. One was being loaded with luggage and the other looked like it had just landed. They were impressive-looking machines, polished white with purple and yellow accents. It was hard to imagine that the company had so many issues brewing beneath the surface.

Nancy's gaze travelled to Frank who was talking with the cashier. He had one hand in his pocket, and he looked at ease. He was older than when she'd seen him last. They all were. He had neat dark stubble across his strong jaw. When he felt her eyes, he looked up and gave her a small smile.

She looked away. Busted.

August.

A son.

She sneaked another glance beneath her thick lashes. She tried to connect the dots. Her childhood best friend. The guy who made her heart race. It wasn't that she ever thought she'd have had a future with him. She'd had Ned Nickerson back then. Frank had always had Callie Shaw. But there had always been the possibility playing like a movie in the background. Now she was sitting in an empty room and it felt like the lights had turned off, plunging her into darkness and even despair.

Joe was saying something. She blinked and tried to engage.

"How are George and Bess?"

The cousins were Nancy's best friends in the whole world: Bess was petite, curvy, and bubbly. With looks like Sabrina Carpenter, she attracted more men than she knew what to do with. George was tall, athletic with short dark hair and a sardonic smile. They were opposites but the trio would always be tight. They'd been friends since they were children, and Nancy couldn't see that fact ever-changing.

"They're good. Bess is perfect as ever. She's back home in River Heights. And George is here in NY! I've been staying at her apartment."

"What's she doing in the Big Apple?" Joe asked.

"She's dating a woman whose family owns a small chain of gyms here. George started out as an instructor. But she's actually writing a lifestyle blog which takes up most of her time these days."

"Here. Sorry, that took a while. They've been busy," Frank interrupted.

He set their drinks on the table and took a seat next to Nancy. She felt him, a searing heat radiating from the arm that brushed hers as he settled in. "Sorry," he sat unnecessarily, flashing her a small smile. "So, George is finally settling down I hear?"

"I don't know about "settling down." But she's met someone she likes. It's not like she's married with a kid," Nancy said sharply. Too sharply. Her words sailed through the air like a knife. She tried to backpedal furiously. "I mean… we've all grown and changed. George isn't the type to start a family. She's living life at her own pace. Just like you. We're living lives our own way..."

Frank's face fell. He looked at Joe. "You told her?"

Joe shrugged but Nancy interjected. "I heard your phone call."

Frank pushed his drink away and held up his left hand.

She stared at his strong, tanned fingers. They were bare.

"I'm not married, okay. Callie… is currently staying at her mom's house. Things are… hard at the moment. But we do have a son. He's my everything. His name is August. Here…" he pulled out his phone and handed it to Nancy.

The home screen showed a toddler. He had hazel eyes and a full, smiling mouth. He was holding a toy truck between two small, fat hands. He was reaching out as if to show it to the person behind the camera. It made him look so jolly and generous.

Nancy felt something fragment inside her. He looked like he smelt of sun and laughter. She'd never been maternal, but she wanted to take him in her arms and touch his silky hair.

"He's an awesome kid," Joe said. "You should meet him sometime."

"He's very cute," Nancy said inadequately.

Frank started to reply but he stopped, eyes focussed over Joe's head.

There was a commotion in the big, open hall that led from the food court area toward some of the Away departure gates. A uniformed airport employee was speaking urgently to a couple of members of security. She was waving frantically, and it looked like she was crying. Some medics joined the group and immediately began checking the woman over. A man in a suit almost ran to the assemblage.

Nancy hadn't noticed. She was still looking at the picture on Frank's phone. "I shouldn't have said anything. I was just surprised. But he's wonderful. I'd love to meet him."

When she tried to hand his phone back and Frank didn't accept it Nancy followed his gaze.

"What's going on?" she whispered, pressing the phone into his hand. She felt his fingers close over hers and her heart missed a beat. But she forced her attention to the scene playing out.

"What are you two staring at?" Joe demanded spinning around in his seat. "Oh no."

One of the security guards was radioing something in. His colleague was speaking with the suited man and their expressions were grave.

Frank stood abruptly. "I'm going to check this out. Stay put for a moment, okay?"

He half jogged over to the scene that was developing in the hallway.

Nancy and Joe weren't about to stay in the wings. They grabbed their bags and followed in his wake.

"Whoa, stop right there," the guard with the radio said.

Frank explained who they were, and the suit spoke up.

"Harish Singh, Director of Operations at Away. You said that you're friends with our VP John Greenacre?" he asked urgently, waving the security guard to stand down.

"Uh… associates," Joe corrected awkwardly. "We just wanted to offer our assistance."

"I'm not sure you can assist," Singh said. "You see… well, someone just found a body."