CHAPTER 9: Nice Camo Job

At the top of the hill behind Armstrong Mill, the pilot was finishing the pre-flight check on the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter while Grace and Jackson watched from a distance. Frank joined them, carrying paperwork in a plastic envelope. “Can we talk a minute, brother?” he asked, leading Jackson out of earshot.

The pilot finished up, wiped his hands on a rag and smiled at Grace. She stepped forward, introduced herself. “Azi Uloki,” he said, shaking her hand. “A pleasure, Miss.”

Grace learned Azi was from a Nigerian timber town, earned his citizenship serving in the US military. “Have a beer with me sometime, Azi?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said, noticing that Jackson and Frank were walking over. “Maybe best not to tell the boss?” he added quietly. She nodded.

Jackson said, “I see you two have met?” Azi and Grace nodded and Jackson said, “Look, I’m sorry, but we can’t take you. We’ll get someone to drive you home.”

The men eyed her, measuring her response. “Hey, I’ve been up in choppers before,” she said. “I won’t get sick.”

“It’s not that,” said Frank. “To speak plainly, we just can’t afford the risk.”

“Reporters fly through war zones all the time. We never sue.” She smiled, adding, “Happy to sign a waiver.”

Azi and Jackson looked at Frank, establishing an obvious pecking order. Frank shook his head.