The Istanbul Decision
Page 18
When it finally straightened out, he pulled himself back up and scrambled down the car to the engine. Cynthia was still sitting on the floor, unmoved and unmoving, oblivious to what was happening around her. When he approached she looked up, flinching as though she expected to be hit.
"Easy, girl," he said softly. He put a hand on her shoulder, and her face suddenly lit up with recognition.
"Nick!" She reached out for him, but he pulled away.
"I've got to slow us down first." He went to the control panel and pulled out the piece of wood Kobelev had used to jam the throttle. The engine slowed immediately, but the train's momentum and the grade were still pulling it along too fast.
He applied the brake. A horrible screeching filled the air, and sparks rose from the wheels as they fought the track. But she slowed, gradually but unmistakably. It took him all of fifteen minutes to get her stopped completely. By this time Cynthia was at his side, her face buried in the collar of his parka, weeping uncontrollably.
Difficult as it was for her to speak, she managed to squeeze out a few words: "There's a girl back on the track. Kobelev shot her, but she didn't die. She's lying there all alone."
"I know. We're going back to get her now." He put the engine in reverse and began to slowly push the fifteen empty cars back up the hill.
It was rough going until they reached the bridge, then the road bed flattened and they began to pick up speed. In a few minutes they were back on the straightaway, and the overturned helicopter became visible on the snowfield. As they approached, a figure emerged, waving.
"Hurry up, Stewart," Carter shouted when he finally got it stopped. "You're holding up the train."
Roberta quickly climbed the narrow ladder to the engine.
"Roberta Stewart, this is Cynthia Barnes, actress extraordinaire, and lately, girl hostage."
"Nice to meet the real you," said Roberta.
"Nice to see you're alive and well," Cynthia said, smiling.
"Now," said Carter, putting his right arm around Roberta and kissing Cynthia on the cheek. "Do you suppose the two of you could go back into the dining car and rustle up something for us to eat while I get this train moving again?"
They nodded.
"Good. Next stop, Istanbul."