Page 200 of Dark Angel
“That’s why I’m lead translator.”
Someone turned up the volume on one of the televisions and Natasha spun around.
“Breaking news,” said the news anchor. “We’ve just gotten word that a group of ten leading scientists along with their traveling companions were kidnapped at Dulles International Airport. The group was returning from a three-week European tour discussing the vulnerabilities of the electrical grids in major cities around the world. When they didn’t arrive at their hotel, the FBI was contacted.”
“Ohmygod,” Halston blurted.
Natasha turned. “We have many power hits and the worlds’ experts be taken. We live in crazy world, no?”
Halston couldn’t tear herself from the television, the anxiety sweeping through her. She needed to know if her parents had been on that flight.
Wolfie will know.
But she’d left her phone at the hotel.
I need to leave.
“Minka, are you okay?” Natasha asked. “You’re sweating.”
A thin line of perspiration dotted her forehead. “I had a fever last night. I think I’m getting sick?—”
Natasha back away. “Not give to me.”
What I have isn’t contagious.
“We have a partial list of scientists,” said the news anchor who rattled off several names.
When Halston didn’t hear her parents’ names, she inhaled a calming breath.
“The renowned expert in power grids, physicist and electrical engineer Dustin Devereux, and his translator wife Sonya Devereux were amongst the group of people kidnapped.”
“It’s more like vanished,” said the news reporter on scene. “I’m here at Dulles and the group of twelve went missing shortly after they were loaded into two white vans.”
Halston’s knees gave out and she dropped to the floor, stopping herself with her hands before she smacked her head against the tile.
“Minka, what is wrong with you?” Natasha barked.
A firm arm helped her up. She couldn’t catch her breath, the little yellow stars were crowding her peripheral vision. Though foggy, she peered at the ambassador.
“Let’s sit you down,” he said.
He brought her to a nearby table where she folded into a chair. Seconds later, someone handed her a bottle of water. She twisted the top, gulped down several cold mouthfuls.
“I came to see holdup with breakfast,” he said. “Did you fall?”
“She has fever,” Natasha blurted. “I wish she hadn’t been here. I cannot be sick.”
Get it together. Now! You can do it.
Heaving in a deep breath, Halston released the air before repeating it again. The stars disappeared, but she didn’t feel confident she could stand. Every television on the cafeteria wall showed mugshot-sized photos of the scientists, then another group of pictures of their traveling companions.
Her parents’ pictures were plastered on the screen confirming they had been taken.
NO!!!! This can’t be happening.
Anxiety turned to dread. Her throat went dry, she started trembling.
I need to leave. Now.
