A Journey of Deceit
by
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Webster Brunswick arrived at Miami International Airport from Bogota, Columbia, at two-forty on a hot summer day to board flight 606 at Gate Three for a five-o'clock departure to Kennedy Airport. Not only was he upset due to a long and lonely delay, but he wasn't able to get a first-class seat and was forced to sit in business class. He, Webster Brunswick, chairman, CEO, owner, and president of Elko Airlines was forced to sit where it was least comfortable. Shaking his head, he was shown to his seat. Still angry, he sat in the first row of business class and watched as the plane filled to capacity. He looked around but didn't see any familiar faces. Once settled, with his seat belt fastened, he saw the doors closed and locked, then sighed, feeling nothing would get in the way of their take-off. A moment later, an announcement was made that their departure would be slightly delayed by one hour. "Slight?" he asked angrily. "You call this slight?" Rita Turner, a stewardess who passed out refreshments to ease the waiting period, looked at the irate passenger without a word, served him, and, when he shouted at her again, smiled and shrugged her delicate shoulders. That infuriated him even more. He'd expected better treatment from his airline's personnel. He caught the hem of her uniform and pulled her back to his seat. "Young lady," he said softly, "I expect an answer from you concerning this delay, not just a smile." "Sir, I'm sorry the plane's been delayed, but I can't say anymore than to apologize. I'm not aware of the reason." "I understand you can't do anything about it. However, you don't know who you're dealing with." Her plastic smile reappeared as if to say, Go to hell. I've got other duties than to hold your hand. Webster smiled inwardly. She would be the one going to hell. He decided to follow her no matter where she went and learn where her next destination was. He took a closer look at her and liked what he saw. Smiling, he settled back into his seat, his hand still holding onto her skirt. As he closed his eyes, he thought of the young woman who'd hurt him so badly. Rita studied the man who held onto her hem. She tugged his hand to free herself. He opened his eyes, smiled, and held on, while a slow smile came to his lips. To ease the situation, he said, "Sorry for keeping you. Please continue serving refreshments." She looked at him in amazement, trying to understand the change in him. "When you're done with the rest of the passengers," he added, "please return and refill my glass." Rita was baffled by his audacity and the change in his demeanor. She walked away, shook her head, and went to the galley where the head stewardess was overseeing her charges' performances toward the passengers in first class, business class, and coach. As Rita approached, Bonnie Hart said, "What's the matter, Rita?" She watched the exchange from the galley. "Can't you see a pick-up a mile away?" "Bonnie, I'm not interested in being picked up by anyone. He's not my type." "Understood, but be careful. One never knows where these short encounters might lead. I hope you'll be spared any hardship. If you need help, call me, and I'll take care of it. If I can't handle it, Captain Norris will intervene. Understand?" "It's not necessary, Bonnie. I don't wish to make waves, especially with the airline." "Don't worry about the airline. The union will be behind you one hundred percent. Just do your duties, OK?" "OK. Do you know where he's going after we land in New York?" "Not off-hand. Want me to check?" "No need. If I really need to know, I'll ask." Finally, an announcement came. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts. Trays must be in their upright and fastened position, so we can make an immediate departure to Kennedy Airport. Thank you for your patience. Dinner will be served as soon as we're airborne." It became very quiet as passengers watched the stewardesses pushing refreshment carts down the narrow aisles, smiling, and asking passengers their wishes. As the serving began, Rita had Webster's aisle, where he sat calmly, studying her with tender eyes. She blushed deeply when she stopped beside him and asked, "What would you like for refreshment, Sir?" He held her elbow for a moment. "Please talk to me."
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About the Book
Webster Brunswick, chairman and owner of the Elko Airlines, was forced to sit in the business section on his way to New York from Miami after a successful conference in Columbia. Once airborne, he met flight attendant Rita Turner, who was on her maiden flight. Webster fell in love and vowed to follow her no matter where. During turbulence, he helped Rita with the carts and with storing away the trays because he could see that she was frightened. While chatting with her to ease her fears, he found out that Rita had a connecting flight to Israel. "Isn’t that a coincidence?" he asked her. "That’s where I, too, am heading." Once landed in New York, he called on his vice president, Chester Danbury, to get him on the same flight to Israel. Boarding the flight, he requested the business section, knowing Rita was stationed there. In the meantime, Chester called on Henry Abbot, a former cop living in Israel, to alert him that Webster would arrive. Everyone knew Webster, because he was a well-known and respected figure in Israel. While planning how he could propose to Rita, he was kidnapped, but, since he was always guarded by Abbot’s people, they soon found him. He learned of the problems at home and of how his lawyer and vice president tried to take away his airline by hooking themselves up with the ringleader of the Mafia. Abbot advised Webster to fly back on a secret mission to meet with two detective agencies, the Marc Cummings Agency and the W&W Investigative Services. Both agencies agreed to help Webster and private detective Laura Marie Winslow faced one of the most puzzling assignments of her career.
About the Author
Ruth Jonassohn left Germany as a child in 1939, and moved with her parents and siblings to La Paz, Bolivia, where she spent her childhood years. In 1949, they moved to the United States and settled in New Jersey. Ruth went to Business College and then worked in New York and Connecticut for a Nonprofit Corporation in the Baking Industry as a Packaging Buyer and Purchasing Manager. She was also a member of the Packaging Institute, U.S.A. In 1982, she and her husband moved to Tamarac, Florida, where she became an active member of the Board of Directors for their association. She is trilingual and enjoys classical music, opera, theater, reading, and writing. She is the author of six published novels.