Chapter 49
Nothing resolved, the breakfast with Fay Cutcher never moved past the remotely polite. Mark appeared to be running low on things to talk about and they’d only just been served.
Emily added stories when she could think of one, but her attention remained almost entirely on watching the Chinooks flying exercises through the dawning light.
The two backup helos were doing an impressive job of it.
Flying sideways, even backward through the airspace.
Teams dumped in the middle of the runway only to have the other helo snatch them aloft with long lines.
It was definitely a spectacle. Michael, predictably, spoke as little as ever.
An orderly came rushing in and handed Cutcher a note.
Fay read it at a glance. “What in tarnation?” Then she read it again before turning back to the table.
“Please enjoy your meals. This orderly will return you to Base Hangar when you’re done.
Excuse me, this requires my personal attention.
I’ll see you at the hangar as soon as this is resolved.
I look forward to discussing joint exercises between our teams while you’re here, though I think you’ll find more interesting challenges with our SAS at RAF Credenhill.
” She said the last as the sort of suggestion one made to avoid saying it as a direct order. Basically, Get the hell off my base!
Emily kept her silence until Cutcher and the orderly had left them with their meals.
“She doesn’t know whether to get rid of us as quickly as she can or to keep us close so that she can see what we’re up to.” Michael spoke for the first time.
“I don’t care what she’s up to,” Mark blew out a hard breath. “If I had to come up with one more story, I’d have been a dead man. Been a long time since Fay and I did more than pass each other by or have a quick chat in the officer’s mess. I’m tapped out.”
Emily kissed him on the cheek. “You did great. I’d love to know what called her away from our meeting so suddenly.”
If someone at High Wycombe headquarters decided they shouldn’t be here, how hard would the Brits be throwing them out?