projector. At first, the islanders were confused by the picture in front of them. However, once Tom explained that each of the blips related to a person and that they were looking at a 3D image of the Estate, they were very impressed. When he instructed the system to identify Saki, his mother and father, they were truly amazed as they watched the green blips make their way between the study and the lounge. Tom noticed that the total number of intruders was now forty three. The handheld PC was perfect for the attack and Tom had requested a few more. These, of course, had been duly supplied and a box of twenty were ready to be configured. This was more than enough. Tom explained the plan to the team and began configuring the handheld PCs.
Papa, Kano and Kisho took over and briefed the next two teams. A further two teams were still in the air and a sophisticated communications system supplied by Zach allowed the final two briefings to take place mid air.
Chapter 59
Donald had hardly slept all night. For the first time in weeks, the deal was not what had kept him awake. He could not stop watching the hostage scenes around the world and concluded that his deal was responsible for the atrocities. He could imagine exactly what each of the parents were going through as he was in the same situation. Rachel had taken some sleeping pills. The bruise on her face from the earlier slap was still growing and the pain had been intense. She had refused to take the sleeping pills at first and then only agreed when Donald had promised to do likewise. He had pretended to swallow his but spat them out when Rachel was not looking.
Donald spent the night trying to work out what he could do. He knew that the minute he pulled out of the IBC deal, some horrific accident would ensure that none of the family would live to disclose the real reason for pulling out. Although Rachel had not realised that, Donald knew that Saki had and was absolutely certain that Tom would have. Donald had over 4,000 children on his conscience but could not help focussing on only two, Tom and Lela.
Saki was in the room next door. He had slept little, although knowing what was to come on Monday at noon, he knew he needed to be alert and had power napped as much as his brain would allow. His two babies were in danger and he was not there to protect them. That was his job and he had failed. The reports from Kano and Kisho should have alerted him sooner that something was wrong but neither he nor Donald had picked up on the signals when reading through the reports. However, one thing did pray on his mind. How had anybody managed to get Tom and Lela away from the twins? They were the best. He could not believe that they had failed him. Nonetheless, Donald had heard Tom on the phone and at the gate. It just did not make sense.
Donald knocked on Saki’s door and entered.
“How are you doing, Saki?”
“Not good, you?”
“Same.”
“Donald, I just can’t get it out of my head. I can’t believe the twins would let us down. Are you sure they have the kids?”
“Yes. I wish I was wrong but he had Tom on the phone and let me speak to him very briefly. I keep replaying the moment in my mind but all I come up with is that they must have them.”
Saki looked at the TV feed.
“Still no demands from the kidnappers. That’s very strange, it’s been over two days now.”
“I know. It’s all linked. They don’t care about anything but the deal,” said Donald. “It’s all I can think about. Four thousand children in danger because of me.” Donald became tearful.
“No! Four thousand children in danger because of them, not you!” Saki was adamant. “This is not your fault, you’ve done nothing wrong and don’t forget that!”
“I know you’re right but I can’t help thinking ‘what if…,’” said Donald. “Anyway I need to finish the final drafts by this evening. I better get on with it and check in with the anal retentive.”
Donald was referring to Mark who was driving him mad, checking every alteration in case there was some hidden code in the way he had crossed something out or had added a word.
Reaper’s phone rang. It was the client.
“What’s the latest?”
“They boarded the flight at 5.00 p.m. in South Africa. There was a half hour delay and so they’re due to land at 3.00 a.m. They should be here by 4.00 a.m. which gives us plenty of time.”
“How do you know they definitely boarded, if you’ve got nobody on the ground?”
“My communications man dialled into the airline’s system and checked, firstly that they’d checked in and secondly that they’d boarded. That kid has some system in his room.”
“OK and how’s Kennedy progressing with the deal?”
“Fine, our guy says they’ll be finished by tonight and he’s been extremely well behaved.”
“Watch him. He’s a very clever man and knows what’s going to happen. He won’t go down without a fight.”
“Don’t worry, he’s not prepared to lose his son,” replied Reaper confidently.
“Do not underestimate him.” The phone went dead, no goodbyes, no pleasantries.
Chapter 60
Tom finished configuring the handhelds and used one of them to dial into his computer to check the AlbAir system. Tom’s system had access to each one of his father’s business systems and there were hundreds of them. His father knew nothing of this but Tom liked to keep an eye on the inheritance. He would need to give Kirstie, the daughter of the AlbAir CEO, a big thank you when he saw her next. As promised, she had ensured that Tom and Lela had checked in at 2.00 p.m. and boarded at 4.45 p.m. She had also arranged for the half hour delay. On arrival at Glasgow, the plane would be asked to stay in a holding pattern for thirty minutes despite empty skies and an empty runway. She would ensure that the plane would land no earlier than 3.30 a.m., as agreed.
The terrorists would be feeling quite safe in the knowledge that Tom and Lela were on the plane and on their way towards them. Tom had considered whether announcing the crash of the plane would be better. In that way, they would never be expected back. However, when Tom mentioned it to Lela, she pointed out that it might cause “just a little” distress among the other passengers’ families and that he shouldn’t be so ridiculous. Tom agreed and went for the delay instead.
He then went to check on the teams who had amalgamated into a mass of bodies relaxing and sleeping while they could. It was going to be a long night. Lela had crashed out on one of the bunks and it was then that Tom realised how little sleep he had had in the last thirty six hours. He lay down on the bunk next to Lela and fell into a deep sleep. Two hours later, the buzzer woke them all up. It was time to go.
One of the ground crew came running in to find Tom. There was a problem. One of the Citation X’s had a mechanical fault. Tom thought this wasn’t a problem. They could just double up in one of the other Citation X’s. However, it was pointed out this was not an option. The distance was already at the extreme end of the Citation X’s range and any additional loading would result in their having to refuel. The time involved in refuelling was not an option, a finite window existed for what they needed to achieve.
There was no other option. Tom looked across the runway at the monster A380. Kano and Lela followed his gaze and winced.
“Not again,” they whispered in unison.
“OK. Can you fuel up the 380, please,” said Tom to the ground crew.
The flying arrangements were quickly rearranged and the teams boarded the A380 for the final leg of the journey. Tom took the Captain’s seat, input their destination and then made a quick phone call to arrange additional transport at the other end. He then made corrections for the weight of the plane and prepared for take-off. Kisho, his First Officer, assisted with the final checks as Tom taxied onto the runway. Moments later, they were airborne and Lela and Kano applauded an extremely smooth take off. It did not, however, reassure them enough to stop
