at least it gave them a break , the ability to breathe for a minute , to wait . i tried calling him , but no answer . it should have seemed threatening because she knew that man . just the airport , the city and the airport again . the word was jerked from brett . being a woman , she 'd had an uphill battle all her life . jake 's eyes shot back to the man , but he was already out of sight on the stairs . i always make that point , talking to marines . 