Equity (Balance Sheet #3) by Shannon Dermott Page B

Dublin, Angus?” Fergus asked. The other guy nodded. “Is this your last run of the week, or should I expect you back?”
    My eyes found the guy behind the counter waiting for Angus to answer.
    “No more runs this week. I’ll have to take Ennis up on his dinner offer another time.” They traded some more banter before he added, “Do you have my invoice for the month?”
    “Aye. Let me go get it in the back.”
    A plan began to form inside my head. I walked over to the counter.
    “Angus,” I said, getting the guy’s attention.
    “What can I help you with?” His accent was clearly Irish.
    “Are you taking on any passengers back to Dublin?”
    “No,” he answered hesitantly.
    I gave him my best smile. I knew the moment I’d won. “Can I catch a ride with you?”
    One of his fingers pointed at me as a grin spread over his face. “I usually don’t take on passengers I don’t know. I have a small plane…”
    I appreciated his honesty. He probably didn’t want to feel weird or forced to make small take with a stranger he didn’t know. I was desperate.
    “I’ll pay,” I said confidently. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any currency other than U.S. on me. But I had debit and credit cards. It might not have been wise for me to use them, but it was a price I was willing to pay.
    He looked around, for what I didn’t know. There wasn’t much to see. “How do you know Ennis?”
    There were complicated ways to explain that. I took the easy way. “I’m a friend of the family.” It was roughly the truth.
    He nodded. “For Ennis, I’ll only charge you for the extra fuel I’ll have to use in order to take you.”
    We shook on it. The innkeeper and private airpark owner walked back in with something in his hand. He looked between me and Angus before Angus strolled up to take the proffered invoice.
    “I’m going to go get my plane ready for takeoff.”
    I wasn’t sure who Angus was speaking to and didn’t try to find out.
    “Can I bother you for a piece of paper?”
    “Sure.” He grabbed a notebook from behind the counter where he stood.
    Thinking ahead of me, he also offered me a pen. Gratefully, I took it. Hastily, I wrote a note. I tore the paper and folded it in thirds. Then I scribbled a name on the front.
    I handed the notebook and pen back before handing the note. “Tomorrow, a plane is scheduled to arrive.”
    Fergus nodded. “Mr. Brinner’s plane.”
    “Yes,” I agreed. “A man named Turner is arriving on it. Can you give him this note?”
    His brows furrowed. “You can’t give it to him?”
    I shook my head. “No, I won’t be here.” There was an awkward pause that filled the room. “I thank you for offering to give me a room at the inn. But I’ve made other plans.”
    My hand held out the note.
    “Turner?”
    “Yes,” I answered. “Please make sure he gets it.”
    He nodded. And before he could ask me anymore questions, I darted out of the building.
    The trip almost scared me to death. The plane was small with only had six seats. It wasn’t luxurious like Kalen’s plane. I was almost pleased that it was night. Angus, who’d seemed nervous before about awkward conversation, talked non-stop. He asked a lot of questions and I gave him answers that didn’t give too much information without being impolite. After we landed I had to show my passport to the customs official. Afterwards, I gave Angus the news that I needed to get to an ATM to get his payment.
    He was kind enough to drop me off at a nearby major hotel chain. I used my card to pay for one night. Kalen and maybe the people who were after me would find me. But I figured no one would come tonight. And in the morning I would get lost in Ireland or head somewhere else. I closed my eyes, exhausted after not having slept the night before. I prayed for no nightmares and hoped I’d made the right decision.
    Kalen would be furious I’d left. He would have found me at that inn. We couldn’t be alone together. No matter how