Some time later…
The chopper's interior hummed low, the sound of rotors whup-whup-whup fading into the steady drone of the engines.
Outside, the city stretched beneath them—grids of streets blurred into dull gray as the dawn fought to break through a sky clogged with dark clouds. Morning light barely touched the buildings, the edges swallowed in shadow.
Don sat by the window, his gaze tracking the horizon as it shifted. Rain threatened in the air, though nothing had fallen yet. The clouds hung heavy, as if waiting for someone to give the signal.
Charles spoke beside him, voice even, words measured as he laid out the rest of his plan. He had a way of talking like it was a business pitch, each point delivered cleanly, smoothly, no hesitation. His tone stayed light, but there was weight behind the words. A hint of satisfaction, maybe. Or anticipation.
