It was going to be a rough night. Only one thought consumed his mind: What if Gilmont was ahead of him?

Chapter 31

Mist coated Gilmont’s windscreen. He hit the wipers and almost missed the exit off the A9 in the pre-dawn light. Swerving, he took an immediate right and entered the Perth Airport, passing only maintenance vehicles in the lot. The place appeared deserted.

Following signs, Gilmont reached the Aero Club and parked beside the hangar. He left his shoulder launcher and rifle in the boot, then knocked on the office door.

No one answered. Gilmont tried the handle, then pressed his face to the glass inset, but all was dark inside. Surely Lauren had contacted Drew. Didn’t he understand the ramifications of this hunt?

Gilmont checked his watch: 4:38 a.m. Tapping his thigh, he paced. A metallic clink down the narrow lane between the buildings attracted his attention. Behind a barricade stood several ultralight aircraft, along with his missing pilot.

Pivoting, Gilmont removed his gear from the boot and approached the tall young man with unkempt dark hair.

The man straightened from his position over a gyrocopter cockpit under the outdoor lights.

“Hiya, Professor. Lauren’s viewfinder’s in the cockpit,” Drew Featherstone said in greeting. “I thought I’d get a jump on the day and tune our ride.”

“I requested a microlight.” Gilmont pointed to one of the other aircrafts.

“Och. Not if you wish to fly this morning. The wind’s too strong. We’ll be taking the gyrocopter unless you’d like to reschedule.” For the first time, Drew’s eyes landed on Gilmont’s “baggage.” His face paled. “I take it we’re not flying for the view?”

“How perceptive of you.” Gilmont placed his launcher and rifle on the tarmac beside him.

“That’s going to make things tight in the gyro.” Crinkles deepened beside the corners of Drew’s eyes.

Gilmont examined the open cockpit with its low side doors. One seat was directly in front of the other, each with a joystick and pedals for their feet. The wonky aircraft was nothing more than an oversized toy.

Not to be put off, Gilmont approximated the actual space. “They’ll fit if my rifle goes in with you. I’m hunting someone; if we find her, you’ll be dropping me off.”

“We’re hunting a person?” Drew moistened his lips.

“The woman who put me in prison, to be precise. Agent Taylor destroyed my life, and now I will destroy hers.”

“All right, boss.” Drew’s voice cracked, and he turned back to the gyrocopter.

Over the next few minutes, Drew dropped his spanner twice before tightening the bolt he had been tinkering with. Fear radiated off the pilot in waves. Obviously, Drew knew Danny would pay him a visit if he didn’t come through for Gilmont.