“I meant the transmitter.”
Maya closed her eyes.
Of course.
Not a person.
An object.
“What was beside him?”
“A black carry-on under seat 8C. Aaron was trying to locate it when you returned.”
Maya turned toward Aaron.
“Where is it now?”
His face changed.
“I left it there.”
They ran.
Seat 8C was empty.
So was the space beneath it.
Leo stood beside the middle-aged woman from earlier.
“Mom!”
Maya grabbed him.
“Where’s the black bag?”
Leo pointed toward the rear cabin.
“The lady took it.”
“What lady?”
“The flight attendant.”
Celeste frowned.
“I’m the only senior attendant assigned forward.”
Leo shook his head.
“Not you.”
Maya crouched.
“What did she look like?”
Leo thought.
“Gray hair. Glasses. She gave me juice.”
Aaron’s eyes widened.
“Marian Holt.”
Celeste went pale.
“Who?”
Aaron was already moving.
“Director Marian Holt.”
Maya followed.
“Director of what?”
“Air Force Special Programs.”
