Page 213 of Wrecked
Two minutes later, the controller said, “Alpha Alpha, you’re clear to land at 1100 First Street, Southeast DC.”
“Alpha Alpha cleared to land,” Hawk replied.
Thank you, Philip.
Five minutes later, he arrived in DC and had pinpointed Addison’s location. Prescott slid open the side door of the aircraft and was peering out with binos.
“What do you see?” Hawk asked.
“Still looking,” Prescott replied. A few seconds later, he said, “Got her. She’s facing the west. What’s your plan? Are you landing on the roof?”
“No, it can’t support the weight of the bird. Drop the rope ladder out and make sure it’s secured to the craft.”
“That’s insane, Nicky.”
“Just fucking do it,” Hawk barked. “Then, waste that terrorist.”
* * *
Addison had spotted the helo in the distance and hope welled up inside her. Liliana was pacing on the other side of the table, back and forth while she ranted about her magnificent family. Addison had stopped listening, her thoughts fully engaged on listening for the aircraft.
Please be him. Please come for me.
Addison’s gaze swept the roof. It wasn’t big enough for the helo to land on, plus the building might not be able to withstand its weight. Addison closed her eyes, started doing her rhythmic breathing. A four-count inhale, hold for four, release slowly. Pause. Repeat.
“Are you fucking sleeping?” Liliana screamed.
Nice and easy.
Addison opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping the horizon. The sound had grown louder, but she didn’t have a visual on the craft.
Then, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, the giant bird rose up from the side of the building. Addison’s heart leapt, but she kept her breathing in check. Hawk was in the cockpit, the side door open, Prescott strapped in, a long gun in his grip.
Then, she saw the rope ladder and her hope fell flat… as flat as she’d be if she jumped off that building and landed with a splat on the hard pavement below.
Ohgod, no, Hawk. I can’t.
Liliana spun around and marched toward the craft, waving her arms, like she was being attacked by a swarm of killer bees. “Motherfuckers! Get the hell away from us.”
Liliana opened the jacket, revealing the sticks of C-4, taped to her vest.
Addison waved Hawk away. “Go,” she screamed, even though he couldn’t hear her. She continued waving him off, but he wouldn’t fly away.
Liliana pulled out a hand-held detonator. “You can’t win!”
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Liliana dropped, the detonator falling from her hand. Addison ran over to confirm she was dead. That’s when she saw the timer attached to the explosives, counting down, with fifteen seconds left.
It’s now or never.
She eyed the dangling rope ladder.
Do it! You can do it!
Mustering all her courage, Addison started running. She had one chance. She homed in one of the rungs, ran to the edge and jumped. She crashed into the ladder, grabbed a rung, but the ladder started swinging from the force of her impact.
Hawk pulled away from the building with her trailing behind, like a kite’s tail blowing in the wind. She started climbing, squeezing the rungs with all her strength. She could barely catch her breath, the chopper blades whipping the air in a million different directions.
