Crime & Punishment Read Online Free PDF Page B

try to move you to the 1:30 tomorrow on standby if you would like, but…”
     
    She cut him off, “No, that doesn’t work. I need to be on the beach by 1pm.” Lisa could feel herself getting more and more upset. “First your company kept us on the tarmac in New York for nearly four hours without an explanation and because of it I missed my flight. Now you’re saying there is nothing you can do?”
     
    “I am so sorry miss, but there are no other flights out tonight.  We can however offer you a voucher for $100 to compensate you for your trouble.”
     
    Lisa shook her head, unwilling to accept what he was telling her but it was no use.  She fought a little longer, but eventually gave up and threw herself into one of the nearby empty seats, upset and frustrated.
     
    She had been best friends with Bridget since they roomed in college and Bridget had always been there for her.  Now, Bridget was getting married after a whirlwind romance to real estate tycoon Dillon Fritz and Lisa was going to miss the wedding.  She let out a heavy sigh as she looked at her ticket, trying desperately to think of any way to get to the remote islands.
     
    “…yeah, to the Grand Caymans tonight,” an airline employee said on the phone as he walked past. “It’s a private charter flight for Mr. Adam Cole.  I think it leaves at 7pm.”
     
    Lisa’s ears perked up as she overheard the conversation and had an idea.  She picked up her phone and pretended to dial.
     
    “Bridget, hey, this is Lisa.  I am so sorry to tell you I missed my flight, and it looks like I won’t be able to make your wedding after all,” she spoke loudly and looked over at the gate attendant as she did so.  He looked back at her and gave her a weak little smile.
     
    She continued, “No, there aren’t any more flights out today,” and paused for effect.  “No, I made it as far as Miami... Miami, Florida, duh. What’s so funny? What do you mean Adam’s here? Shut up! Seriously!?!?!? Do you know what time he’s supposed to leave? Oh, thank god. Ok, I’ll find him and see you tonight.”  She looked up at the gate attendant excitedly, put her hand over the phone and whispered to him.
     
    “Where do the private flights leave from?”
     
    He looked over and cocked his head.  “Well, they could leave from any gate; it depends on the type of plane, the pilot…”
     
    She cut him off, “It’s the bride's good friend, Adam Cole,”
     
    He interrupted her, “She is good friends with the Adam Cole, the billionaire?  Really?” he said doubtfully.
     
    “Yes.” she answered hoping that she sounded more confident than she felt.  “And he has a charter flight leaving tonight and she said he would take me. I just need the gate – she is arranging everything as we speak. Where should I go?” she asked urgently.
     
    Flustered the gate attendant looked at his computer and back up at her.  “Well, Mr. Cole is leaving from gate B12, but you aren’t listed as a guest, and I don’t see how...”
     
    His voice trailed off behind her as she closed her phone and darted for Gate B12.  She was going to find a way to make this flight no matter what.
     
     
     
    *  *  *  *  *
     
     
     
    She had been double talking, cajoling, demanding and doing whatever she could to find a way onto the charter flight and so far, it had worked.  She couldn’t believe her luck as she crossed the distance to the plane.  All she had to do was bluff her way on board and she would be in the Cayman Islands in no time.
     
    She didn’t know what she was expecting, but the plane was much smaller than she had thought it would be.  She had this idea that the charter would have been for a few people, maybe a business meeting or a family trip, but this plane was downright tiny.  She gathered herself and confidently started up the stairs onto the plane, sure that at any second she would be challenged by a stewardess, and her entire plan would be exposed.   But when