Chapter 67
Washington, DC, FBI Headquarters: Friday, June 29.
Senator and Mrs. Land were on hand to meet Colleen and David when they arrived at Dulles Airport. At the Senator’s request, Colleen and David were going to stay at their apartment in Washington, DC. They would be required for additional debriefing on Saturday after which they were free to go. Later they would be required to testify at the trial.
“Colleen,” began Michael, “this is Mr. Heckler. He is with the FAA.”
Colleen felt a cold chill envelop her. She had been expecting this ever since they first flew to Georgia in the Senator’s Bell Jet Ranger. Why hadn’t she tested for her pilot’s license a long time ago? Now she would have to pay the price.
“Miss Gilmore, would you mind coming with me, please?” gestured Mr. Heckler.
He took Colleen into the adjacent room and asked her to sit on a stool. A photographer took her picture.
A mug shot, thought Colleen, so this is how they do it.
“You may now join the others, Miss Gilmore.”
“Thank you, Mr. Heckler.”
When she joined the others, David put his arm around her and asked if she were in some trouble. “I’m afraid so. I did an awful lot of illegal flying. They just took a mug shot of me.”
Mr. Heckler returned to the room with an envelope in his hand. “Colleen Gilmore, I understand you flew the Senator’s Bell Jet Ranger with a passenger from Dulles Airport to north Georgia, stopping for fuel at Charlie Brown Airport and then landing on private property. After that, you again flew the same aircraft with several passengers to upstate New York, making three fuel stops along the way. Several days later, you flew that same aircraft with a passenger to New Jersey. The next day you again flew to a property in north Georgia, landing in a field. I also understand you took the controls of a damaged military Blackhawk helicopter and flew it back to Charlie Brown Airport, safely landing with several passengers onboard.”
“Miss Gilmore, I have to ask you, are these statements correct?”
“Yes sir,” with tear filled eyes, “I did.”
“Well then, I must say Miss. Gilmore, you are one hell of a pilot. I would now like to present you with your pilot’s license. It will not be necessary to take the test. From what I can see, you are more than qualified and I am happy to do this for you.”
“Miss Gilmore, the license has a normal expiration date on it and you will be required to renew it when it runs out.”
“Oh, yes sir, I will! Thank you!”
Chapter 68
Ocean Beach, NJ: Sunday, July 1, 12:45 PM.
Roger, Marie and Mary Katherine came storming into the beach house. Colleen and David were making lunch.
“Hi guys, I want you to meet my very good friend David Albright.”
“I am pleased to finally meet you. Well, Sis, you have certainly been hard to find. Did you know mom and dad filed a missing persons report on you? Thankfully, we got a call saying you were all right and working with Senator Land on a special project.”
“Well, I guess you could say that.”
“Colleen, where have you been and what were you working on?”
Colleen winked at David and replied, “Oh, just some boring old stuff, I’m glad that it is finished and we can all enjoy the 4th of July together.”
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