IROP: Irregular Operating Procedures

IROP Copyright 2015 by Susan Egner

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the author’s written permission.

Thank you for purchasing this Susan Egner eBook.

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Cover design by Marcie Burgad and Courtney Cardwell

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

MADD

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks to:

Marcie Burgad for the inspiration to write this story.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their tireless concern and steadfast attempts to educate our youth about the dangers of underage drinking.

Michelle Tonning, Editor, for her astute editing and heartfelt contributions to the storyline.

Courtney Cardwell for her grace and enthusiasm as a frontline editor and website advisor.

Bill Johnson for keeping all things from becoming chaos.

Mike Seale, Editor-at-large, for guiding my eBook career.

Sam Welch for his boundless supply of story ideas and faithful support of my writing career.

My husband, Rodger, for his patience and support of the writing process.

Epigraph

In every human being, there are two wolves. One wolf is love from which all that is good in life comes: generosity, forgiveness, acceptance, peace. The other is fear, which creates all that is destructive: greed, hatred, prejudice, violence. These two wolves are always fighting

Which one wins?

It is the one you feed. Always the one you feed.

Vermilion Drift by William Kent Kruger

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Epigraph

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

About the Author

Other Books by Susan Egner

IROP

(Irregular Operating Procedures)

Chapter One

The ramp staff thought the plane was empty. The CRJ900 jet aircraft stood dark and silent at the gate, waiting to be boarded. Pilots called the sleek jet sexy due to its low-wing and high-tail design that guaranteed powerful speed. It was operated by a crew of four and seated seventy-six passengers, twelve in first class. The spirit of Jack Soul sat in one of these seats, awaiting the arrival of flight attendant, Casey Click.

Casey, having become a first-rate flight attendant at the beginning of her retirement years, demonstrated time and again a resilient spirit in handling daunting challenges. In the past, she had amazed Jack by her sheer determination and stamina, but mostly by her heart. Casey’s heart was always in the right place. Though he did not know how things would play out, he had been informed that she would soon be facing new, overwhelming challenges; possibly on her next trip. He hoped to help her when the time necessitated, but in the meantime, he could only watch and wait.

Shortly after she had declined his offer of marriage, Jack, a commissioned naval officer and carrier pilot, was deployed to the South China Sea off the coast of Vietnam. A year later he was shot down by enemy fire, captured, and held prisoner. Though many of the POW’s survived the constant and intense brutality over seemingly endless years, it took Jack five years before he succumbed, not to his captors, but to death.

During that time, Casey had finished college, met Max and married. She gave birth to her first child, a son, one month before Jack died. Later they had a daughter. He was long dead and forgotten by that time; never to have children of his own. Now, for whatever bizarre reason, he had been brought back. Perhaps, to deal with his unresolved past with Casey. The aircraft cabin door opened and Jack Soul disappeared.

The crew boarded the aircraft in good spirits, still laughing at a joke that First Officer John Crain had just told. Casey brought up the rear as she struggled with her roller board.

Can I give you a hand, Casey? asked the Captain, Doug Mainer, when he noticed her lagging behind.

My wheels seem frozen. The bag won’t roll.

Probably the bearings. You’ll have to get them replaced.

Where do I take a suitcase to replace wheels?

Did you buy it at the Stop Over Store? he asked, referring to the airport store that catered to airline crews.

Yes, I did.

They have a repair service. Be sure to ask for skateboard wheels. They’ll outlast the bag, said Mainer as he hefted her suitcase onto the plane. I’ll put it in the bin for you.

Thank you, Doug.

Along with the rest of the crew, Casey performed her pre-flight checks before passenger boarding began. Once the passengers had all boarded, Casey checked to be sure everyone had properly stowed their belongings before telling the captain that the cabin was secure. As she was passing row eight on her way back to the forward part of the aircraft, a seated young man turned and flashed a smile. Casey caught her breath. He was stunningly handsome, almost to the point of being beautiful. He had blue-black hair that was thick and wavy. His eyes, a crystal blue, were topped by dark eyebrows and thick, dark lashes. His mouth displayed straight white teeth in a smile that beckoned you to approach him. His skin had the warm glow of an annual tan. Though she had not noticed him when he boarded, judging by his legs protruding into the aisle, she guessed his height to be well over six feet.

His attire was also impeccable, though not standoffish. He wore a Nike jacket over a light blue shirt, which was open at the neck, and creased, slightly faded jeans. Altogether, a very accessible persona that immediately intrigued her. He appeared to be traveling alone. She wondered if he was returning to Detroit from a business trip, or was he making a connection to another destination. Casey glanced at her departure report for his seat assignment. It showed that his name was Jason Oh. Must be a printer error. The last name seemed incomplete.

After buckling her harness in her jump seat, Casey looked down the aisle. The man was leaning out as if studying her. When she caught his eye, he flashed a grin that took possession of her thoughts. Her throat closed and a blush crept up her cheeks. She suddenly understood the meaning of being all thumbs.

This is ridiculous, she thought. I’m acting like a besotted teen when I could easily be his mother.

Besotted? asked Jack Soul in an amused voice as he appeared in the galley.

You can read my thoughts? Casey asked uncomfortably.

You said it out loud, he laughed.

Casey gave him a flustered smile before turning away to fuss with her seatbelt. When she turned back, he was gone. Her hands fretted with her hair and then her blazer before she commanded herself to get a grip. Her emotions were bouncing around like balls in a pinball machine and it was totally lost on her as to why; she needed to get herself under control and attend to her announcements.

Ladies and gentlemen, in preparation for take-off, please check that your seatbelts are securely fastened. Thank you.

The remainder of the flight continued without incident. The gorgeous young man slept during her entire service and descent announcements. Once seated in her forward jump seat for landing, she let her glance travel around the plane in search of anything out of place that might become a projectile during touch down. Whenever she looked his way, he appeared to be reading or deep in thought. His head remained in a downward pose until she heard the landing gear touch down.

When she made her arrival announcements, he watched her attentively, but his look was in no way inviting or threatening. Whatever he had done earlier in the flight that caused such a rush of feelings, he was not doing it now. Casey, suddenly aware that her breathing had become erratic, inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly. In and out, in and out, she breathed cautiously until her demeanor had steadied.

What is going on with me? she thought, glancing around for Jack Soul to make sure she had not spoken her thoughts aloud, but the galley was empty. This behavior was totally out of character for her.

Relieved when she heard the chime telling her to open the aircraft door, she was eager for the passengers to deplane, especially the passenger seated in row eight. While she waited for the jet bridge to hook up, she thought over her reaction to the man but could not come up with a definitive explanation. She had never strayed from Max, and if she had, it certainly would not have been for a man not much older than her own son. That’s what people in mid-life crises did to prove they weren’t getting old. She didn’t mind getting old. Age had given her grown children and now grandchildren. Her life was happily intact. She attributed these unnatural feelings to fatigue. After all, the crew had reported at five-thirty that morning and were supposed to be finished by noon. Due to weather delays, it was now eight-thirty at night. She was more than ready to be off this aircraft.

Once the jet bridge attached, the gate agent signaled that passengers could deplane. As they exited the aircraft, Casey gave her familiar departure remarks.

Thanks for flying with us. Have a wonderful evening. Good bye.

Suddenly the young man was in front of her. Thank you for a lovely flight, he said as he stooped into a bow and pressed his lips to her hand.

She flinched but caught herself before yanking her hand away. You’re welcome. Have a nice evening. Reclaiming her hand, she turned to speak to the next departing passenger. Casey’s heart had performed an uncomfortable flip-flop in her chest leaving her disoriented. She smiled and spoke to the remaining passengers almost by rote, her thoughts lost in a fog.

This had been her first flight in many months on the company’s smaller jet that seated only fifty passengers and required only one flight attendant. Now she wished she were on the larger aircraft where she had a second flight attendant. She could use some girl talk right about now. The captain, not much older than her own son, stepped out of the flight deck, followed by the first officer who was even younger.

Egad, there wouldn’t be any discussion about this on the shuttle ride to the hotel, she thought. She would have to wait until she returned home to get the girls’ perspective on what had just happened. She was totally at a loss.

An hour later, fresh out of a shower, she gratefully climbed into bed. The crew did not have to report until the following afternoon, giving them a chance to catch up on their rest. She, for one, needed a solid night’s sleep. However, it took her the better part of an hour to clear her head of the unnerving impression made by the passenger in seat eight.

Chapter Two

She awoke slowly the next day, reluctantly glancing at the clock to see that it was only seven-thirty. She had no intention of getting up this early, knowing she had a long day of flying ahead. Though the day started late, it also ended late. Grateful for the hotel’s blackout curtains, she snuggled into her pillow, willing herself back to sleep. When she finally woke up at eleven, she felt rested and refreshed.

That next two days of flying went without incident and on its termination early on day four, Casey headed for the lite-rail station. Just as she stepped on the train that would transport her from Terminal One to the Terminal Two parking ramp, her phone beeped that she had received a text message from her friend Bonnie. Once seated, she read:

Understand you’ve landed. No need to rush home. The guys are getting in one last game of golf. Meet us at Houlihans in Eagan for lunch.

Casey was eager to tell the girls about her trip and relieved that she could do so right away. Though a fist of caution knotted in her stomach, she was eager to hear their perspective before she saw Max. Perhaps a glass of wine first would help lighten her apprehensions. She found all three of her closest friends seated at a table in the popular restaurant already filled with the lunch crowd. Each held a glass of wine.

We ordered a Pinot Grigio for you, said Bertie.

Actually, I’d prefer a Merlot.

Uh oh, she’s looking for body. Something is up, said Bertie.

Releasing a sigh of relief, Casey laughed, Oh, it’s good to be among friends.

Bad crew? asked Kit.

No, not really. They were nice enough, just young.

Did they hassle you? asked Bertie in an indignant voice. As if they’re never going to get old, she added, her voice disgusted.

It was nothing like that, said Casey, plopping down in a chair.

Then what was it? said Bertie.

Let me get a glass of wine and relax for a few minutes and then I’ll explain. Tell me what’s been happening here.

While Casey waited for her wine, the three women gave her an update on Bertie’s kids, Bonnie’s job as a research paralegal, and Kit’s latest passion, learning magic tricks.

Magic, Kit? That’s quite a departure from your last two classes in French and glass-blowing. What are you learning?

I’ve just started, Casey. All we’ve learned so far is a few card tricks, some techniques of slight-of-hand, and other fundamentals of close-up magic.

What made you choose magic? That’s what I meant.

Magic is much more than just learning tricks, Casey. Magic helps you on so many other levels.

Like what? asked Bonnie, now interested but skeptical.

Well, for starters, magic helps improve manual dexterity.

That makes sense, said Bertie. What else?

Learning magic actually helps improve both creative and memory skills. In fact, my instructor said that it improves reasoning skills.

Wow, maybe I should learn a little magic, said Bertie.

You seem pretty excited, Kit, said Casey.

I am excited. Here’s the bottom line. Now don’t laugh, but magic improves your public speaking skills, of which I have none. You know how embarrassed I get when I have to speak to a group of people.

Are you planning to go into public speaking? asked Bertie, shaking her head to the negative.

No, of course not. I just want to be more at ease when I have to speak up in meetings at church or garden club. That kind of thing.

Sounds very practical, said Casey. Do you need to practice between lessons? Do you want to practice on us?

Kit smiled broadly. That would be great if I could, only I’m not ready yet, but soon.

You just let us know. We’ll be your first audience, won’t we girls?

Bertie and Bonnie nodded in hesitant agreement.

Just don’t be pulling coins out of my ears, said Bonnie, that gives me the creeps.

Understood, said Kit, smiling with appreciation.

Casey received her wine, took a grateful sip and released a contented sigh.

Your turn, Casey. Tell us about your flight, said Kit.

Casey sipped her wine for a minute and then proceeded to tell them about the man in row eight.

He kissed your hand, exploded Bonnie.

Maybe he was French, offered Kit, who had just finished a Rosetta Stone course in the French language.

He spoke in perfect English without the slightest trace of an accent.

But he called the trip lovely, said Bertie. Not a term most men would use; at least not anyone macho. She wiggled her eyebrows in Groucho Marx speculation.

Casey sighed, feeling more relaxed than she had felt in the last three days.

You sound seriously troubled, Case, said Bonnie.

With her wine glass halfway to her mouth, Casey nodded and took another sip.

What’s the problem?

Why it troubles me is because I can’t explain my reaction. You know I would never be attracted to anyone but Max, and even if I were, it would never be to someone young enough tobe my own son. It wasn’t that kind of attraction; it was something else. Something I can’t put my finger on.

You make it sound sinister, said Bertie, looking around. Where’s our lunch. I’m famished.

As if beckoned, the waitress appeared and served their meal. Casey crunched on her salad as she picked over a new word in her everyday vocabulary: sinister. Had it been sinister? Was that the correct response? He hadn’t done anything but smile, remark politely about his flight, and kiss her hand. Well, yes, the latter was a bit creepy.

She shook her head. I don’t know what it was. All I know is, I felt out of control, as if…as if I would go with him whether I wanted to or not. Let’s just say that I was more than relieved when he was gone.

As if there were nothing more to be said on the subject, the conversation shifted to local news.

Chapter Three

Summer was over and the first chilly nights of fall were upon them. Max surprised Casey one morning by having a fire burning in the fireplace when she came downstairs.

Max, what about our tradition?

Max shooed her out of the kitchen. Go sit by the fire.

Casey did as she was told, still puzzled by the change. Before she could give it much thought, Max appeared carrying a tray.

A mimosa for my lady, he said, offering her a stemmed glass. He took his seat and tipped his glass toward hers. I’d like to make a toast.

Casey held up her glass and gave him an amused, if puzzled, smile.

To my wife, three years ago today you became a flight attendant and what an adventure it has been.

They clinked glasses.

It has been an adventure, hasn’t it?

I’m really proud of you Casey.

At that moment, the front door opened and in walked Bertie and John carrying something freshly baked in a basket. Its delicious aroma preceded them. Mark and Bonnie followed, carrying a bouquet of flowers; then Kit with a basket of travel toiletries from L’Occitaine.

Oh my, I don’t know what to say.

Max and John opened two card tables and set them side-by-side between the two wing-back chairs. This way all eight of them could face the fire but easily carry on a conversation. Bertie served coffee and took her seat. Max carried in a quiche and a bowl of freshly sliced fruit.

Well, dig in, he said.

Several hours later after everyone had left, Casey thanked Max.

That was sweet of you, Max.

Well deserved. How many days off do you have?

Six. Why?

"I thought we might run over to Door County for a little holiday. We can find a historic inn or a cute bed-and-breakfast in Egg Harbor.

Egg Harbor? laughed Casey. There’s really such a place?

He handed her a map of Wisconsin where he had circled Egg Harbor; a village situated along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Studying the map, she asked, How long of a drive is it?

Actually, I thought we would use some of your well-earned passes and fly to Green Bay and drive from there. What do you think?

I love it. Do you want me to list for tomorrow?

Don’t you think we should try for today? We don’t need to take much. I can be ready in ten minutes. What about you?

Casey laughed, thinking it had been a long time since Max had been this spontaneous. It wasn’t that he didn’t like to travel, but by nature, he was a home body. She was delighted.

I’ll go online right now and check the flights.

Casey was able to reserve two seats on the afternoon flight to Green Bay where they rented a car to make the one hour drive to Egg Harbor. In just seven hours Max and Casey were transported to an enchanting harbor village lost in time.

It’s actually on Green Bay? I didn’t know that was a body of water.

Slept through geography, I see, winked Max.

Actually I made very good grades in geography. I just don’t remember most of it.

You’re forgiven. I don’t remember English literature and my spelling is atrocious.

Do we have reservations? she asked, staring out the car window at the surrounding landscape interspersed with quaint buildings housing shops, lodging, and restaurants. This is delightful.

I called several places and all have rooms available. I thought we’d check out the area and choose a place that appeals to us. So keep your eyes open. Let me know what looks good to you. Then we’ll stop and have dinner and register somewhere.

After a delicious dinner in an alpine designed restaurant, they chose a lodge that was similarly quaint, making sure they had a room overlooking the water. They spent the next few days hiking and beach combing though the air was brisk and required down jackets. They visited local art galleries and shops, and bought a few trinkets to stow away for Christmas presents for the kids. On their last day, Casey awoke to find