BLIND DESENT Page 32

  "Are you okay?" Curt asked.

  Anna, ticket in hand, and he sat in the uniquely soulless environment of airport waiting areas.

  "A week in a hot tub and I will be. You?" She asked to be polite but found that she cared about the answer. Of late, Curt Schatz was one of the few people on earth who didn't grate on her nerves.

  "Anxious to get back to the university. There's only a week before Christmas break. Since we won't be allowing them to come to class for a month, I know my students will be eager to squeeze in every bit of learning they possibly can these last few days."

  Outside, buffeted by December winds, a prop plane taxied onto the ramp's loading zone.

  "We'll keep in touch?" Anna asked.

  "You saved my life," Curt replied. "Now you're responsible for me."