Two reclusive people meet in a charity soup kitchen in a down-and-out area of London, and their mutual attraction tempts them to follow their hearts. Both know that breaking out of their social shells risks revisiting buried traumas, but it might re...
Patrick strode across the room and out into the suite's foyer to answer the doorbell, returning half a minute later with Garth and Jack. After introductions, Valerie motioned to the couches and chairs in the smaller lounge. "Sit and tell us what you've learned."
"The police know little about it so far, beyond a helicopter has gone missing from the Cape Town Helicopters fleet. They directed me to the all-news channel and suggested News24 online."
Chloe clicked away at her keyboard as Garth continued the briefing, and when he had finished, she turned the computer and said, "Here are the people in charge of the company, Mummy. They should know more."
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Valerie looked at the screen. "Excellent, Sweetheart." She opened her phone and went to the email app and typed in the addresses of the Base Manager, the Operations Manager, the Commercial Manager and the head of Flight Operations. Then she composed a quick message.
Hello, Gentlemen; I am the partner of Mr Benton who was aboard your missing helicopter on the way to Franschhoek. Please contact me. We have information on where they may be. Valerie Redburn
She read it through and pressed Send, then she turned to Chloe. "What else have you found?"
"News24 has some details. There were five people aboard. The pilot is Lisa Haas, of Cape Town, but the four passengers remain unidentified." She turned the computer so her mother could read the brief news item.
As Valerie read, she conveyed pertinent points aloud. "The emergency location transmitter aboard is not compatible with new satellite technology. The Mountain Club of South Africa has members of its Search and Rescue team on standby, and the Air Force will have a search helicopter on site at daylight." She looked up at Garth, Jack and Patrick. "When is daylight down here this time of year?"
Chloe pointed to her computer. "The weather channel shows sunrise tomorrow is 06:24."
"That means it'll be light enough to fly by six," Garth added, glancing at his watch. "A little over seven and a half hours from now."
Valerie nodded as she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. "So, what now?"
"Wait." Garth shrugged. "Little we can do but wait and hope there were no injuries."
"Yeah." She looked up from her twirled hair and winced. "They'd have a first aid kit aboard, wouldn't they?"
"A comprehensive one," Patrick replied. "They're regularly inspected and updated by regulation at home. I'm sure they would have the same requirements here."
"What about the plane, Garth? I'm sure it has an ongoing schedule."
"We've a booking to Montreal on Saturday afternoon, then deadhead to Toronto for a five-day layover for scheduled inspection and maintenance."
"So, you can remain here another day?"
"We won't leave without Mr Benton."
"Yeah." She stared at her twirled hair again, then began unwinding it. "We may as well all camp here for the night." She stood and pointed. "Let's see what we have. I know there are two main bedrooms, so with all this space, there are likely others."
