Page 12 of Airborne
HEATHER WATCHEDthe sandy-haired man pull back the curtain that separated business and economy class. The young woman in a stranglehold tried to pull free, but he yanked her tighter.
He shouted at Nathan. “Are you deaf? Tell the pilot to fly the plane to Germany or the girl dies.”
Heather understood how terror drove people to irrational behavior, beyond logic and often to accomplish a selfish goal. The enraged man’s eyes darted around the cabin, and he jerked the hostage closer. The young woman trembled, and she didn’t look much more than twenty years old. Was he the one who’d unleashed the virus? Or was he afraid and reacting in a panic state?
“Sir, the pilot has orders to follow.” Nathan held up the communication device. “I’ll talk to him now. With so many people sick, I’m not sure what’s possible. His instructions are from those on the ground.”
“Listen to me!”
Heather took another hesitant step toward the man. “We—”
“Get back to the galley or I’ll kill her.”
She complied. “I’ve done what you’ve asked. Can we talk from here?”
“Stay there.” The man’s attention swung in every direction. “You’d like to help? Get the attendant to contact the pilot.”
“I’m speaking to him now,” Nathan said.
“Landing on time in Frankfurt is important to me, too,” Heather said. “What’s urgent for you?”
“People expect me. I have a tight schedule. Stuck in quarantine until the government issues a stamp of approval? Not me.”
“Like you, I have a life other than a flight in crisis,” she said. “This huge interruption will cost us time and money. We’ll figure it out together.” She took another step.
“Stop where you are.” His voice graveled low. “I’ve never met a woman who didn’t have an agenda.”
The male volunteer who’d just spoken to Nathan stood in the aisle ahead, midway between Heather and the abductor. “Hey, buddy, I agree. Women can be a pain. I’ve been lied to and manipulated by every one I’ve met. Finished with them.”
“I’m right there with you.”
“You think your reason to land in Frankfurt is important?” the volunteer said. “I have a huge deal to close, and if I miss the meeting, the deal’s off. By the way, my name’s Thomas.”
The man’s attention perked. “What are you gonna do, Thomas?”
“I hate to lose the money. I mean it’s huge, and the financial impact will hurt those in my company who are anticipating a bonus.” Thomas made slow strides toward the man while talking. “Bills won’t get paid. College funds stagnated. Homes foreclosed. Planned vacations canceled. Get the picture?”
“Then help me get the aircraft to Frankfurt.”
“I’m sure I can do something. Let’s discuss options.” Thomas slowed his steady pace. “Can we talk while you hold her?”
“My mouth moves just fine.”
Thomas blew out a sigh and pointed at the man. “She looks sick, and if she bites you, you’re infected.”
The man lowered his arm to avoid her mouth. “She won’t try.”
Why had Thomas risked his life and the young woman’s to intervene? Admirable move. But dangerous. Perhaps he was trained in hostage negotiation.
Heather retreated behind the galley. She caught Nathan’s eye, crouched low to the opposite side, and crawled through the curtained area along the opposite end of the aisle. To reach the man and free the woman, she’d have to squeeze past another man seated in the same row. The other two seats had been occupied by the woman hostage and the man who held her.
“One problem is how do we handle the sick?” Thomas said.
“Doesn’t matter. They’ll get over it or they won’t.”
“True. So far I’m healthy.”
“I’m good to go. Sure would help if the AC was lower.” The man chuckled. “Add cooler temps to my demands.”
