Chapter 356

Payne landed the Gulfstream 650 flawlessly, taxied it into the hangar, and put it to bed for the night. It would sleep for the next two days, while it underwent routine maintenance. After she descended the stairs, a member of the ground crew handed her the roll away night case, and she went to the office to collect Dycke's four-legged gift."

When she asked for it, the maintenance director said it was making too much noise, so they put it outside. She was incensed that they would put an animal outside into the cold dark night; that is, until she saw the animal, and she screamed. The entire ground crew laughed as she jumped up and down.

Dycke bought her a cat, but this one had an engine that roared. It was a bright pink Jaguar XJS convertible. She laughed; she cried; but she was rooted to the spot one spot. She could not move.

Dycke put his arms around her, and said, "Happy Birthday, my love. Try to keep it in one lane. I don't want to lose you.&q