Читать книгу The Killing Grounds: an explosive and gripping thriller for fans of James Patterson - Jack Ford, Jack Ford - Страница 15

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At the Scottsdale airport, Arizona, which served as the home for many of the area’s corporate aircraft, Levi Walker wiped the sweat from his forehead.

‘Man, I’m hot. I got to get me a cold drink. I can almost taste the beer on my lips.’

Joining Levi by the side of the airstrip, Cooper leant on the hood of Maddie’s truck. His six foot three frame towering over both Maddie and Walker. He gave a crooked smile to his friend, relieved to be on US soil. He’d thought about this moment since Eritrea, and it sure as hell didn’t disappoint.

‘Anyone would think you’d spent the last week in a hot penitentiary, the way you’re talking.’

‘Not me, Coop, no way. I’ll leave that to the crazy folk… Oh crap. Is that who I think it is, Maddie?’

Levi pointed up to the sky. Shielded his eyes from the dazzling sun. Watched as a beautiful Diamond DA62 aircraft with turbocharged Austro AE330 jet fuel piston engines came into view. Soaring down gracefully.

‘I’m afraid so.’

Levi raised his eyebrows. Scratched his newly cornrowed afro and admired the expert landing of the plane. He walked towards it but stopped. Turned back. ‘You know, Coop, I never told you earlier, but it’s good to have you back.’

And in the glaring sun a few hundred meters back from the plane, the warm winds caressed Cooper’s handsome face and the light bounced off the white body of the aircraft, making it difficult for him to see.

The jet’s door opened and casually he sauntered forward. Greeted the pilot with warm words and a gesture of his hand.

‘Hey! Good to see you, Granger.’

The punch to Cooper’s jaw was quick. Hard. Knocked his head sideward. He touched his lip with his tongue and tasted the spring of blood. He stared back at Granger. Said nothing.

‘If you ever. Ever, do anything like this again, you’re out. You got that Cooper? You want to play Superman, maybe you should’ve done that when it mattered.’

Cooper lunged forward, but although he was angry he let Maddie grab him, letting the familiarity of her touch calm him down.

‘Don’t like the truth Cooper? Neither do I.’

Granger rubbed his face, red from stress. He turned to Maddie and Levi. ‘I expected better from you Maddison, thought you were the one who was supposed to have a sensible head on. And as for you, Levi, never, ever try to pull a fast one on me again.’

And with that he stomped back to the plane, stamping his feet into the dust, followed by Levi.

Cooper watched on, unable to move. Resentment had a funny way of doing that to him. Granger had a funny way of doing that to him. He felt Maddie touch his arm gently.

‘It’s only because he cares, Tom. We were all worried. I don’t know what you expected. You can’t just go around doing what you want and think it won’t hurt others. Because it does… It really does.’

Without bothering to say anything, Cooper lit a cigarette before walking over to join the others. Something told him this was going to be one helluva day.