Falling: A Novel

Jo, Kellie, and Big Daddy drop the oxygen masks while answering questions from the passengers. As Jo finishes up, a woman confronts her. Big Daddy comes to Jo’s defense and convinces the woman to sit down. Jo, Big Daddy, and Kellie discuss who among the passengers might be the backup the kidnapper mentioned, but none of them can report anything unusual. Big Daddy does point out a very large man he says gives him a bad vibe.

Rick Ryan, a social media influencer, comes to speak to them. Rick posted a picture of himself in one of the oxygen masks with a caption mentioning the reasons the flight attendants gave for dropping the masks. Airline employees commented on the picture, saying Jo, Kellie, and Big Daddy’s reason is false. As they talk, one of the passengers points out that Rick’s post is being discussed on the news. As Jo goes to calm the passengers, the fire alarm sounds in one of the bathrooms.

As the politician approaches the Hoffman house, he pauses to take a phone call. Theo worries that approaching him will cause a scene that will attract attention from inside. Theo moves into the man’s periphery and begins waving his arms.