She was dressed in simple blue jeans, a gray hoodie, and white sneakers, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, almost no makeup on her face, a small backpack slung over her shoulder, and in her pocket, her passport in the name of Victoria Grant, which she had obtained a year ago for private travel, using her mother’s maiden name. She really did look like an ordinary young woman flying to the French Riviera for a break. Pedro was sitting elsewhere in the waiting room pretending to read the newspaper, but Victoria knew he was watching her closely.
When boarding for the flight to Nisa was announced, Victoria joined the line with the other passengers. Her heart was beating faster than usual. It was a strange experience being a passenger on her own plane, yet remaining incognito. At the check-in counter, she handed over her ticket. The employee, a young woman in her early twenties, didn’t even look up at her; she simply scanned the boarding pass and wished her a pleasant flight. Victoria smiled to herself.
The plan was working. She boarded. Her seat was in the middle of the cabin by the window. Victoria settled in, fastened her seatbelt, and looked around. The cabin looked clean and new. This was one of the latest Airbus A320s to join the airline’s fleet six months ago. She remembered how she had been personally involved in the negotiations with the manufacturer. Flight attendants began circulating through the cabin, checking seatbelts and helping passengers stow their luggage.
Victoria watched them attentively. The girls were polite, smiling, and professional. So far, everything met the company’s standards. The plane filled up. Next to Victoria sat an elderly couple, a husband and wife in their sixties, clearly British and heading off on holiday. They were chatting amiably about what they would visit in Nisa. The engines roared. The captain’s voice came over the loudspeakers. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is Captain David Hartley. Welcome aboard Asure Wings flight to Nisa.”
Estimated flight time, 2 hours 10 minutes. The weather in Nisa is sunny, 24°C. Please make yourselves comfortable and have a pleasant flight. The voice was even, professional, nothing special. Victoria leaned back in her seat, trying to relax. Takeoff was smooth. The plane gained altitude. It entered cruise control. The flight attendants began serving drinks and light snacks. Victoria ordered coffee. The girl brought it with a smile. She placed a cookie and a napkin on the tray table.
