The Flight over the Bermuda Triangle chapter 1

Adapted by Ma Li

C. Daly King (1895 – 1963), an American psychologist and mystery novelist, is hailed as “the Huxley of the mystery – writing world”. Since his first work, *The Ship to Murder*, in 1932, he has written more than thirty mystery novels in a series, collectively known as the “Land, Sea, and Air Trilogy”. Most of these stories take place on long – distance vehicles such as ships, trains, or planes. Utilizing the “closed – off” nature of these settings, the stories are filled with controllable dramatic scenes, full of thrills, twists, and turns. *The Bermuda Flight* is one of the short stories in this series.

A List of Terrorists

There were only five minutes left before Flight 1044 from Bermuda to New York was due to take off. Flight attendant Jenny was about to board the plane when her boyfriend, journalist Dick, rushed over and stuffed a magazine into her hands. “Jenny, someone’s been following me. Keep this magazine safe and do as I say!” It turned out that Dick had just discovered that the explosion of a ship not long ago was caused by explosives planted on board. The list of terrorists who planned the explosion was tucked inside this magazine. But he had been targeted by the terrorists, so he had to give the magazine to Jenny to take away. “Remember, no matter what, you must get it safely back to the New York newspaper office!”

Finally, Dick kissed Jenny and took out a diamond ring. “I planned to give this to you when we got to New York, but I guess I have to give it to you now. Don’t worry, I’ll propose to you formally in a few days.” Then he hurried away.

Watching Dick disappear, Jenny came to her senses. She stuffed the magazine into her backpack and quickly boarded the plane. The flight purser handed her a passenger list and said that three more passengers had just boarded: Mr. Hastings in Seat 6, Mr. Carlson in Seat 9, and Mr. Clinton in Seat 18. Jenny’s heart skipped a beat. If there had been a “tail” following Dick, that person must have seen Dick give her the magazine and then followed her onto the plane. Which one of these three was the culprit?

By this time, the plane had taken off. The flight purser reminded Jenny to prepare drinks and dinner. Jenny agreed and went to the kitchen. But her mind was racing. She had to hide the backpack first, but where? The kitchen was between the cockpit and the cabin. Passengers usually didn’t come here, and she could keep an eye on it while preparing dinner. Yes, she’d hide it here!

Jenny opened the freezer in the corner and stuffed the backpack inside. When she stood up, she noticed a stain on her cuff. It must have been from the salad in the freezer. She tried to wipe it off with a tissue, but it only got worse. She gave up and went back to the cabin to distribute drinks. Just then, the flight purser came over and said, “Jenny, the captain wants you to take some passengers to visit the cockpit.”

Jenny was stunned. She had forgotten about the routine of allowing passengers to visit the cockpit during the flight. This meant that anyone could go in and out of the kitchen! Before she could think further, several passengers in the front rows got up and followed the flight purser towards the kitchen. Jenny’s heart tightened. She wished she could finish distributing the drinks quickly and rush back to the kitchen. Soon, the tray was empty, and Jenny was about to run when the flight purser stopped her again. “Jenny, where are the luggage declaration forms?”

Jenny had to rummage through the briefcase at the back of the cabin. She knew that the flight purser wouldn’t let her go until she found the forms. By this time, the first group of passengers had returned, and the second group had gone. It was almost the turn of the three suspicious men! Jenny was in a panic. She dumped everything out of the briefcase but still couldn’t find the forms. Just then, the three men got up and went into the kitchen…

After rummaging around for a while, Jenny finally found the forms in a small pocket inside a coat. She stuffed the forms into the flight purser’s hands and ran towards the kitchen. By this time, the last group of passengers had also returned!

Jenny rushed into the kitchen. The sight that greeted her made her blood run cold. The backpack had been taken out of the freezer and thrown on the floor. The bag was open – needless to say, the magazine was gone. That magazine contained the list of terrorists! Jenny felt dizzy. One of these three men must have done it! She composed herself, went back to the cabin, and pretended to explain the flight route to the passengers one by one, sizing up the three suspicious men again.

Mr. Hastings in Seat 6 was an elderly man with gray hair and glasses. He was concentrating on reading a newspaper, looking like a manager or a CEO.

Mr. Carlson in Seat 9 was in his forties and very strong. He seemed a bit uncomfortable and shyly said that it was his first time in Bermuda to see his son. He even showed Jenny a photo of his son. His luggage was an old – fashioned black bag under his seat. Maybe the magazine was in there, but Jenny had a hunch that it was probably filled with tourist souvenirs.

Mr. Clinton in Seat 18 was handsome and well – dressed, in his mid – twenties. He said that his father had suffered a heart attack and he was rushing back. There was a zippered bag on the overhead luggage rack, and the zipper was open. If the magazine was really in there, would he leave it like that? Jenny shook her head. He didn’t seem like the one.

Most of the time had passed, and Jenny still couldn’t find any clues from the three men. She was extremely frustrated. Suddenly, she saw the stain on her sleeve and her eyes lit up. She had been so careful but still got stained by the salad. The person who stole the bag was in a hurry, so there must be a stain on his sleeve too! Mr. Hastings didn’t wear an outer coat. He had folded his coat and put it under the newspaper. Was he trying to cover up something on his coat? Mr. Carlson put down the flight route map first and then reached into his pocket for the photo of his son. Why didn’t he just use his other hand? And Mr. Clinton’s right hand had been resting on the armrest all the time. Was it just good manners or was he hiding something… Yes, there must be something wrong!

When Jenny came out with coffee again, Mr. Hastings had put away the newspaper and put on his coat. There was no stain! Next was Mr. Carlson. This time, he reached out both hands to take the coffee, and there was no stain on his cuffs either. Now there was only one suspect left – Mr. Clinton!