by K E O'Connor
“Not often. Eva is too busy skulking around her room and moping about nothing in particular. Alex, as you have seen, enjoys his couch a little too much.”
“I can’t believe they don’t enjoy this,” said Helen. “You can see for miles.”
“I only ever got Alex in here when Greg was around,” said Camilla.
“Greg liked to fly?”
Camilla was quiet. “He did.”
“I think Alex misses him.”
“I can’t imagine why,” said Camilla swiftly. “They were so competitive with each other.”
“They were best friends.”
“How do you know that?”
“Alex talks about Greg. I think he’s lonely.”
“That boy needs to get out more,” said Camilla. “He can do better than Greg. He was holding him back.”
“Why do you think that?”
There was more silence from Camilla. “A mother always knows best. Now for some fun.” The plane banked sharply right.
I held in a scream as the plane flipped over.
Helen squealed with delight and clapped her hands together. “Do it again.”
“Once was enough,” I gasped out.
Camilla laughed and repeated the trick.
My breakfast was definitely not happy with these flips.
“Can you do a dive?” asked Helen.
“No dives!” I said.
“Of course, I can dive,” said Camilla. “We were trained to get out of dangerous situations when I flew RAF jets. Diving is a great way to get the enemy off your tail. Some crafts can’t go below a certain altitude. It’s also a good way to extinguish a fire in the engine.”
“We’re not on fire, though.” I checked the engine. No fire, so no diving.
“Let’s try a dive,” said Helen.
“Hold onto your hats, ladies.” Camilla swooped the plane toward the ground.
I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped the sides of my seat. We were going to die. I just knew it.
“This is amazing,” yelled Helen. “I can see the people below us.”
I risked a peek before shutting my eyes again. “We’re too close to the ground!” How on earth were we going to survive?
“Don’t you trust me?” asked Camilla, her voice high with excitement.
I wasn’t sure I did trust Camilla. Not anymore. I felt my stomach lift as the plane shot back into the sky.
“You’re so clever,” said Helen. “No wonder you were in the RAF.”
I moistened my teeth with my tongue and risked opening my eyes. I let out a sigh. The plane was level again. We were still alive.
“I can handle any aircraft,” said Camilla. “A few years ago, a commercial airline tried to sweet talk me into ferrying hyperactive holidaymakers to and from the Continent. Despite the enticing salary, I declined. There’s no challenge in flying airbuses. I love this kind of plane though. They add a bit of spice to life. You have to be totally focused. Keeping my girl in the air requires precision and skill.”
I took a few deep breaths and forced myself to stop panicking. My gaze settled on the back of Camilla’s head. “I don’t suppose you know how to fly drones?”
“Of course! Like I said, I can fly anything.”
A horrible sense of dread slid over me. “You’ll have to show me how to fly one once we get back on the ground. They look like fun.”
“If you’re into that sort of thing,” said Camilla. “They’re child’s play compared to a real plane. I can fly one in my sleep.”
Suddenly, I wanted out of this plane.
Chapter 20
My heart still raced as the plane touched down. I scrambled out of the seat and pulled off my helmet. I needed to get my thoughts in order. Could Camilla have killed Greg? Alex said she didn’t think much of him, and she could fly a drone. But why would she want him dead?
“Are you okay?” Helen caught hold of my elbow. “You’re looking a little green.”
Camilla strolled over and took the helmets from us. “Any time you want another flight, just let me know. I’m often over here. I’m always happy to take people up in the air.”
“Thanks,” I croaked out. “I’ll check my diary. I’m going to be busy for the next few years.”
Camilla laughed. “Not all of us are meant for adventures in the sky. Maybe you’re better on terra firma, keeping an eye on Alex.”
“You could be right,” I said.
“It’s almost time for the air show to open,” said Camilla. “I’ll see you at the ribbon cutting.” She walked back to the plane, leaving me alone with Helen.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Helen. “You really don’t look well.”
“It’s not the flight that’s the problem,” I said. “Did you hear what Camilla had to say about flying drones?”
“It doesn’t surprise me she can pilot one,” said Helen. “She’s an ace in the sky. And she was in the RAF. How glamorous.”
“There is nothing glamorous about it if she was the one who piloted the drone that killed Greg.”
Helen’s mouth fell open. “What about Harriet and Piers? We’re sure it’s them, aren’t we?”
“Not anymore,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to make sure Camilla was out of earshot.
“Why would Camilla kill Greg?”
“She can be controlling, especially with Alex. Maybe Greg said or did something to Alex, and Camilla didn’t like it.”
“I’m still hedging my bets that it’s Harriet and Piers,” said Helen. “I get Camilla is protective of her son, but she wouldn’t kill his best friend.”
I groaned. Maybe all the diving and flipping was getting my thoughts jumbled. “You could be right. Let’s go find Zach and Gunner, see what Harriet’s been up to while we’ve been in the air.” My knees had finally stopped shaking as we walked through the crowds.
“There’s Gunner!” Helen bounded ahead of me, waving her hand over her head. She had an inability to hide the fact she was seriously smitten with him.
My eyes narrowed as I saw Zach had company. Harriet was standing far too close to him for my liking, one hand on his bicep. As I got closer, I heard her give a false sounding laugh and step even nearer to my man.
Zach glanced up as I arrived and gave me a pleading look. “How was your flight?” He deliberately stepped away from Harriet.
“Scary,” I said.
Harriet narrowed the gap between her and Zach. “Perhaps we can take a flight together some time.”
“I wonder what Alex will think about that.” I stared daggers at Harriet.
“He won’t care,” said Harriet. “He’ll be too busy making his next millions for me to spend.”
I snorted a laugh. If Alex had his way, Harriet wouldn’t be there for much longer to spend all of his money. Pushing aside my jealousy, I smiled sweetly at Harriet. “Have you had a chance to fly the drones yet?”
Harriet sighed. “Why are you so obsessed with those stupid drones?”
“I’m not. But it’s important to try everything.”
“I’d rather not.”
“You are the event’s guest of honor,” I said. “It will look rude if you don’t take part.”
“Then I’ll look rude.” Harriet fluttered her long lashes at Zach.
I bit my tongue to stop from saying something mean. “I bet it will impress everyone here if you can fly a drone. Don’t you think, Zach?”
Zach’s eyes widened slightly, but then he nodded. “It could be fun to watch.”
Harriet let out a dramatic sigh. “You’d be impressed by watching me fly some silly toy?”
“Sure, why not?” Zach raised his eyebrows at me.
“Let’s go do it now,” I said. “You’ll have to open the event soon and won’t want to miss your moment in the spotlight.”
Harriet caught hold of Zach’s elbow. “Lead the way then. I can show you how talented I am.” There was more eyelash fluttering.
Zach looked at me again, and I nodded a
t him. I repressed every jealous feeling I had. If Harriet would reveal herself as Greg’s killer, then I would let her paw Zach for a few more minutes. But I wasn’t happy about it.
Helen walked alongside me with Gunner. “Are you okay with that?” She gestured to Harriet, who had a firm grip on Zach’s arm.
“Of course not! I want to tear her head off. But she thinks she can impress him by flying a drone.”
“If that was Gunner, I’d be scratching her eyes out.”
“I always knew you cared, princess.” Gunner wrapped an arm around Helen’s shoulders and pulled her toward him.
“I haven’t always cared,” said Helen tartly. “When we first met, I thought you were obnoxious.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He kissed her cheek, and she giggled.
As we arrived at the drone demonstration site, several boys were already playing on the drones, supervised by an older guy wearing a baseball cap and fleecy jacket.
“Can the guest of honor have a go on a drone?” I asked him.
“Who’s that?”
“That would be me.” Harriet strutted forward and thrust a hand out. “Give me a controller.”
The man in the cap smirked. “Of course, your Highness. I was just letting my boys have a go before the crowd gets in.” He set a small, black drone on the ground. “Have you ever flown one of these before?”
“How hard can it be?” said Harriet. “You hit the lever and off it goes.”
“It’s a little more complicated than that. The left lever moves you up and down, and the right one moves you side to side.”
“I know all of this,” said Harriet. She smiled flirtatiously at Zach. “I’m a fast learner. I can pick up any skill quickly.”
My jealousy threatened to boil over. I clenched my hands into fists and gritted my teeth. Just another couple of minutes and Harriet would have proved she could pilot the drone that killed Greg. My original theory would be proved right and Camilla was innocent in all of this.
“Remember, the left lever takes you up and down, and the right moves you from left to right,” said the man. “Have you got that?”
“I’m not an idiot,” snapped Harriet. “Get out of my way.” She shooed the boys piloting the drones to one side.
I held my breath as I watched Harriet fiddle with the controller.
The drone wobbled on its base before shooting into the air.
“Go steady,” cautioned the man in charge. “You don’t want to damage it.”
“I won’t damage it,” said Harriet. “I know what I’m doing.”
“It doesn’t look like it,” muttered the man.
The drone bounced back onto the grass and juddered along unsteadily for a few yards.
“Use the left lever to give you some height.”
“That’s what I’m doing.” Harriet pushed the right lever from side to side. I could see she was doing it wrong.
“Give me that!” Camilla appeared next to Harriet and grabbed the controller. “You need a gentle touch. You go jabbing the levers like that, and it will break.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell her,” said the man in charge. “She hasn’t got a clue what she’s doing.”
“I have!” Harriet stamped her foot. “It’s that stupid drone. It’s broken.”
“It would have been if you’d kept messing around with it,” said the man. “Watch what an expert can do.”
Harriet folded her arms over her chest before stamping away and standing next to Zach. “I almost got it. That wasn’t my fault.”
“We can’t be good at everything,” said Zach cautiously, taking a step away from her.
Harriet shot him an evil glare.
I was focused on Camilla, who had already zoomed the drone expertly into the air and was spinning it around our heads. She banked it upward before spinning it back to the ground and then out toward the aerodrome.
“I knew you’d show us how it should be done,” said the man in charge. “I used to watch you when you practiced with the drones a few months ago.”
Camilla shot him a sharp look. “These things are toys. You should try piloting an RAF fighter jet.”
“I’ll leave that to you. You’re great with these drones, though. I’ll know who to find when I need a break. You’re even better than me, and I practice every weekend.”
Camilla lowered the drone to the ground and handed him the controller. “That’s enough fun for one day.”
I watched as Camilla’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced at me. She realized she’d given herself away. She knew exactly how to pilot a drone. It had to be her. But I still didn’t know why she’d killed Greg.
“I must see to my plane,” said Camilla. She raced away before I could think of an excuse to stop her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please.” It was the event organizer on the tannoy system. “I am pleased to announce we are about to officially open the event. Would our honored guest, Harriet Fawcett, join me for the official ribbon cutting ceremony?”
“That’s me!” Harriet grinned at Zach. “Don’t go anywhere, handsome. We’ve got lots more fun to have today.”
Zach opened his mouth, but Harriet was already hurrying away through the crowd toward her special duties. He caught hold of me and pulled me toward him. “What’s going on? I know you told me to keep an eye on her, but she’s getting too close for comfort.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said. “I’m letting her maul you for a good reason. At least, it was a good reason ten minutes ago.” I looked over my shoulder to see if I could spot Camilla. “Now, I’m not so sure.”
“Did you see how good Camilla was with that drone?” Helen hurried over with Gunner. “Even I’m doubting Harriet and Piers’s involvement.”
“What’s going on?” asked Gunner. “You’re having doubts? I thought you had it all figured out, and we were gathering the final bit of proof.”
“It’s not Harriet and Piers,” I said gloomily. “They didn’t kill Greg.”
“What’s changed your mind?” asked Zach.
“Camilla got all shifty when I asked about Greg, and she admitted she knows how to fly a drone. She just showed us how good she is.”
“Alex’s mom killed Greg?” Zach’s eyebrows shot up. “Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know, but we need to find out.” I was pushed forward by the crowd gathering around the official opening ceremony. We had no choice but to follow along with them.
Harriet stood next to the mayor, a smug smile on her face as she looked at the crowd in front of her. She looked like some pompous member of the aristocracy surveying her hard working, put upon minions.
“Welcome to the tenth Old Tubbington show,” said the organizer. “I’m delighted to have you all here today. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do. We’re offering free flights with esteemed local resident, Camilla Hudson, a former RAF pilot and one of the first women ever to fly an RAF fighter jet. I’m sure she’ll be popular all day, so make sure you sign up for your free flight. There’s also the funfair if you like your rides a little more sedate.”
The crowd laughed politely.
“For those who fancy flying something a little smaller than a jet, we have a drone demonstration, where you can get your hands on the controls and pilot your own drone.”
Harriet grabbed the microphone. “Yes, that’s all very interesting. I’d like to welcome you all as well. As the air show’s honored guest, I’d like you all to have as much fun as possible. Everyone is welcome here, so long as you behave yourself.” She laughed too loudly, and the microphone squealed.
The organizer tried to take the microphone back, but Harriet scowled at him and held on tight. He leaned close, so he could speak. “Thank you, Harriet. It’s time to cut the ribbon.” He gestured to the bright red ribbon.
I looked at the crowd and spotted Camilla. She was heading toward the aerodrome, and she had someone with her. It looked like Alex.
I shoved my way through the crowd. I needed to speak with Camilla and figure out why she killed Greg.
Zach joined me. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried Camilla is going to make a run for it. She must realize she’s revealed herself. We need to stop her.” I headed toward the aerodrome, Zach by my side, Flipper and Jessie right behind us.
“How are you going to stop her?”
“I don’t know, but we can’t let her get away,” I said. “I still don’t know why she did it, but she must have killed Greg.” I slowed as we reached the aerodrome. I could hear voices inside. It was Camilla and Alex.
“I don’t understand.” Alex sounded alarmed. “Why do we need to leave?”
“We both need a break,” said Camilla. “You go grab a bag from the house, and we can be away from here in half an hour.”
“I don’t need a break,” said Alex. “I need to focus on the game.”
“The game can wait,” said Camilla.
“No, it can’t.”
“Bring your research with you if you must. It’s time we got out of here.”
“I still don’t get it,” said Alex. “Why the hurry? And why do we have to fly? You know I don’t like planes.”
“Alex, for goodness sake. You will do this. We’re leaving. Now.” Camilla sounded desperate.
“Why don’t you go alone?” said Alex. “You do seem tense. Take a break somewhere sunny. I can look after the house.”
“No! We might be away for some time.”
“Why would we do that?”
“Because we need to.” Camilla’s tone turned sharp. “Stop arguing with me and just do this.”
I risked a glance into the aerodrome. Camilla held Alex by the arm.
“You’re not making any sense,” said Alex. “We don’t need to go anywhere. We’re fine here, aren’t we?”
“We will be,” said Camilla, “after we’ve had a break and got everything sorted.”
“What do we need to sort?” Alex was silent for a few seconds. “This is about the dating app.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Camilla.
“You do. I always thought it was odd the way you came to me with that app.”
“Alex, stop talking nonsense. We need to go.”
