Chapter 10 - The Flight Attendant Who Had Been Watching
Khloe Gallagher had spent eleven years working on private jets.
But before that, she'd grown up in a family that had nearly been destroyed by organized crime.
Her father, Michael Gallagher, had worked as a federal financial investigator.
He'd specialized in tracing illegal money through shipping companies and international trusts.
When Khloe was nineteen, he died during an investigation.
The official report described a car accident.
Her mother never believed it.
And neither did Khloe.
Now Noah Costello was signing her surname.
Her heart began pounding.
"How does he know my name?"
Silas watched her.
"Khloe?"
She turned toward him.
"My father investigated your family's businesses fifteen years ago."
Silas went still.
"Michael Gallagher?"
She nodded.
"You knew him?"
Silas swallowed.
"My father spoke about him."
Khloe stared.
"What did he say?"
"That Gallagher was one of the few investigators who couldn't be bought."
Her throat tightened.
Silas continued.
"Antonio believed he was helping uncover corruption inside the company."
Khloe sat down.
For years, she'd believed her father's death was connected to a dangerous investigation.
Now she was sitting beside the son of the family he'd investigated.
Silas looked at her.
"Why did you take this job?"
She hesitated.
"Because private aviation paid well."
"And?"
Khloe lowered her eyes.
"Because I wanted to know what happened to my father."
Silas's expression changed.
"You knew I was on this flight?"
"No. I was assigned at the last minute."
Marcus checked the crew roster.
"That's true. Another attendant called in sick."
Khloe nodded.
"I didn't know you'd be here until boarding."
Silas looked toward Noah.
The boy was watching them.
Khloe signed.
WHO TOLD YOU ABOUT GALLAGHER?
Noah answered immediately.
UNCLE LUCA.
WHAT DID HE SAY?
The boy hesitated.
Then signed:
GALLAGHER HAS KEY.
Khloe froze.
She thought about her father's belongings.
Most had been sold or packed away after his death.
But one object had remained with her.
A small brass key.
Her father had worn it on a chain around his neck.
Her mother gave it to Khloe before she died.
Khloe had kept it inside her suitcase for years.
She'd never known what it opened.
Silas studied her expression.
"Khloe?"
She swallowed.
"I have something."
"What?"
"A key."
Marcus looked up sharply.
Khloe continued.
"My father left it to me."
Silas stared at her.
Then he looked toward the blue-box documents.
One page contained a handwritten note from Antonio Costello.
If Victor discovers the original records, Gallagher's daughter is the only one who can open the safe.
Khloe's heart stopped.
May you like
Her father had left her a key to evidence capable of destroying Victor Sterling's entire operation.
And someone had arranged for her to be aboard Silas's plane.
