Dead in the Air: Dead of Night Mysteries

By J.C. Hatch

SOME FLY TO LIVE… OTHERS FLY TO DIE

 

J.C. Hatch's popular Dead of Night series is back with a new short story, Dead in the Air. 

 

Chigs Cartwright is having a bad day. As the island's only mechanic, he is pushed to fly into a storm with his friend and pilot, Ace Kanoa. 

 

Their mission? To deliver a mysterious package to the big island. 

 

As the storm worsens, the flight becomes stranger and stranger. The two friends fly into a cloud that opens a doorway to the past. It is here that they come into contact with a menacing foe—one with a score to settle.

 

With a young girl's life in their hands, it is up to Chigs and Ace to make sure they deliver the package. Can they defeat their enemy? Can they find a way out of the portal? Or is their floatplane destined to end up at the bottom of the sea? One thing is for sure… they are in for a dogfight. 

 

Are you flying… or dying? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jason Anderson
• Release date: Aug 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223778868

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

"A re we flying? Ace Kanoa asked as he walked across the dock toward the floatplane. Or are we dying?"

Chigs Cartwright didn’t bother to look up at the pilot as he finished his preflight checklist. There was a lot of work to do. The yellow and white de Havilland Beaver would not fly itself. The plane barely floated on top of the water with its duct-taped pontoons. Word had gotten out that the plane was to be flown to the big island.

Props look bent. Flaps are shot. She’s leaking oil. The check engine light is on, but all systems are a go for flight, Chigs muttered under his breath. Do you have a death wish? You couldn’t possibly want to fly this piece of junk right now. There’s a storm on the horizon.

I have no choice, the pilot said with a laugh. Ace wore aviator sunglasses and a leather bomber jacket. He chewed gum loudly as he slapped Chigs on the back. Lighten up, buddy. Everything will work out.

Until it doesn’t.

People are counting on me, Ace said. He threw his leather duffel bag inside the cabin of the plane and looked towards the parking lot by the office. There’s a special shipment on route. It’s supposed to arrive at any moment. And it needs to be delivered to the big island pronto.

Chigs stood up and stiffened his back. At first glance, no one would have ever thought he had a long career in the air force. He was tall and wiry, wore glasses, had a pale complexion, and often gave the impression that he spent most of his time behind books.

I know you think you can fly to hell and back in a paper airplane, but this is a mistake, Chigs said, wiping grease from his hands with a dirty rag. The skies don’t lie. There’s a storm brewing. I wouldn’t want to get caught in that sorry excuse of a plane.

What are you talking about? She’s reliable, aren’t you? Ace slapped his hand against the metal exterior of the plane. She’s never let me down before.

There’s always a first.

Both men grew quiet as a white minivan pulled into the parking lot and stopped by the gate entrance. A chubby man wearing khaki shorts and a floral shirt appeared. He carried a small blue cooler in his hands. The man didn’t bother to stop by the airport office to check in. Instead, he wobbled down the ramp toward the plane, clutching the cooler close to his chest like it was a football.

Are you Ace? the man asked. He sounded winded as he approached.

That’s me. Is that the shipment? I was expecting something larger and more important.

Like what? Chigs asked. A treasure chest?

Ace grabbed a dirty rag from the dock and tossed it at Chigs.

Don’t be confused by its size, the man said, maintaining his seriousness. This shipment is more important than any treasure you or I could ever find. A small girl’s life depends on it. Great care must be taken to make sure that it is delivered safe and on time.

Chigs noticed that the blue cooler was temperature controlled. It had a digital display on its exterior that read the temperature of the contents inside.

I will need you to sign the paperwork first. We’ll then go over some important instructions. Then the responsibility will be in your hands, the man said. Time is of the essence. The girl’s conditions are withering. She might not have much more time.

We should get a move on it, Ace said. I’ll sign your paperwork and I’ll get mine from the office. Why don’t you hand the cooler off to Chigs? He can take it from here.

The cooler stays with me until all the documents are signed.

You can trust Chigs. He’s the most reliable guy I know. Just look at him.

Chigs wiped his cheek with the backside of his greasy hand. The grease spread across his eye, making him look like a racoon.

The man was unimpressed. He grunted loudly. "He could be the president of the United States and I still wouldn’t give him it without