The red-and-white Cessna was circling so that it could land heading into the slight but steady breeze. As the plane momentarily faced away, Varner quickly opened the rear passenger door and powered up an iPhone. He double-checked it was silenced and then slid it under the front seat. He closed the door and stepped away from the SUV as Ethel began her final approach.

She taxied to the end of the runway where Varner stood waiting. With the engine killed and the propeller stopped, he hurried to help Ethel out of the cockpit. She waved him away and agilely hopped down. Then, as she’d done with Foster, she gave him a big hug.

Jesse was struck by the contrast between Foster and Varner. Foster had been tall and lanky, looking like he’d barely managed to stay under the height maximum for an Air Force pilot. Varner stood only a few inches higher than Ethel. He must have squeaked by just above the minimum. But Jesse thought once the colonel and his wingman had been in their fighter jets, height meant nothing.

Ethel introduced the two men, and they shook hands.

“Can I drive you somewhere?” Varner asked. “Richmond’s my home turf.”

“That’s kind of you,” Ethel said, “but I wouldn’t want to tie you up. We’ll be visiting friends. Just let us know when you need the car back.”

“I’ve got an old Ford 150 that’s my runabout truck. So, take your time. If you need to bunk over, there’s room.”

“Thanks. Jesse’s got class in the morning, so we’ll return by midafternoon at the latest. Take the Cessna up if you’d like. There’s plenty of fuel to get us back to Curt’s.”

Varner handed her a set of keys. “Swapping an SUV for an airplane? Tempting. Maybe I’ll do that.”

Jesse threw his laptop backpack on the rear seat. Varner stood by the driver’s window. “Know how to program the built-in GPS?”

Ethel shook her head. “No need. Jesse and his phone will handle the navigation.” She turned the ignition, and the engine came to life. “And I’ll do my best to avoid any crashes.”

The Explorer headed out the long driveway. Varner watched until it disappeared behind a stand of pines. He pulled out a second iPhone, activated the Find My Phone app, and grunted with satisfaction as a blue dot moved across the screen.

Thirty minutes later, Ethel pulled into the Finches’ driveway. The same green Subaru Forester was in the carport. No other car was parked beside it nor along the street in front of the house. Ethel feared Susan’s sister from Fredericksburg might have taken them out for breakfast.

“Bring your computer,” she told Jesse. “But I might need to speak to Susan alone. Don’t be surprised if I suggest Davie show you his room.”