“I don’t know, I heard them say something about drinking water they weren’t supposed to have drunk. I think they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time so they came to help us.”
“OK, how many are there TOM?”
“There are five of them,” he lied. They had left ten bodies behind and Tom thought that if he said there were only two soldiers, it would sound suspicious.
“OK. I need you to tell me where they’re taking you. Tell them you are talking to your father and need to know where you are landing.”
“OK. Will I call you back or are you holding on?”
“Holding on Tom. Remember your mum and dad, no funny stuff.”
Tom made his way to the cockpit to speak to Kano and Kisho.
“Where are we heading to?”
“Not sure, still trying to calculate exactly how far we can go on this tank. By the looks of it, we can do just over a thousand miles, this thing is full to the brim. Give me another ten minutes and I’ll let you know,” said Kisho.
“OK.”
Tom made his way back to the main cabin where a very concerned Lela watched his every move.
“What’s wrong?” she mouthed to him, conscious he was still on the phone to whoever was putting the fear of God into him.
Again, Tom only shook his head.
“The pilot doesn’t know yet, he’s still working things out but he reckons we’ll be flying about a thousand miles.”
“That is not the kind of answer I need if you want to see your mother again.”
“They honestly don’t know yet but as soon as they tell me, I’ll let you know. I promise I’m telling you the truth. Please don’t hurt them,” pleaded Tom holding back the tears.
“OK, OK, I believe you. Now take down this number and call me the second you know. Meanwhile, we’ll be tracking you.”
Reaper read out the telephone number and hung up.
Chapter 48
As Tom hung up the phone, the helicopter suddenly took a dive towards the sea and they were all thrown to the floor.
“What the hell happened?”
Kano appeared.
“Sorry guys, we have a small problem.”
“What?”
“We just picked up a signal behind us. By the looks of it, we’re being chased by an Apache helicopter.”
“Oh God,” said Tom who thought things could not get any worse.
“What the hell is an Apache?” asked Lela.
“Very bad news. It’s an attack helicopter which will take us apart in about half a second,” said Tom turning to Kano, his brain kicking into action. “How far back is it?”
“I’m not sure. It was through a long range scope that we picked it up and we can’t actually see it yet,” replied Kano.
“I need to see Kisho and the charts,” announced Tom with authority.
“But Tom, what about the call? What’s happened?” asked Lela in desperation.
“Oh, our parents are being held hostage by, I assume, similar madmen to those at the four schools,” he answered glibly. He had much more pressing matters to deal with, they may be dead themselves in the next few minutes.
As Lela digested the devastating news, Tom made his way to the cockpit with Kano. Lela was left with Chen who did his best to comfort her.
“OK, let me see the read-outs,” said Tom. “And where are the charts and how far back is the Apache?”
“Here are the read-outs,” said Kisho. “And they’re about ten miles behind us but closing in fast.”
Tom looked at the charts and all the available data.
“OK, increase to maximum speed 167 knots…”
“But that’ll just eat up our fuel and we’ll fall short of the African mainland,” interrupted Kisho.
“I was going to say, for twenty minutes only,” said Tom.
“But why, what’s the point? They’re much faster than us and they’ll catch us in no time,” protested Kisho.
“Yes, but the only Apache sitting at the base had no auxiliary tanks and no missiles. It has a maximum speed of 197 knots but only for short bursts and every time they do that speed, their fuel will disappear. Their maximum range is about 260 nautical miles but that will reduce every minute they exceed their cruising speed of 160 knots. So if we increase to 167 knots, they won’t get close enough to use their guns unless they’re suicidal. The nearest land is where we just came from.”
“But how do you know all that?” asked Kano.
“I just do, like I know this is an EH101, maximum speed 167, cruising speed of 160 and range of just over 1,000 nautical miles with extra fuel tanks. I have a passion for aircraft.”
“Cool, do it Kisho,” said Kano. “But what did you say through there about your parents?” he asked, current crisis averted.
“It seems that my mother and father and I assume Saki have been taken hostage.” Tom went on to explain the whole conversation with the mysterious and fearsome caller.
“Get Lela in here,” said Kisho after hearing what Tom had to say.
Tom went to get Lela.
Chapter 49
Reaper watched as his communications man worked his magic. He was the same man who had tapped into the Kennedys’ phone line, had diverted all their calls to his own line and had blocked all mobile signals into and out of the Estate. Within two minutes of the call, he hit the play button. Reaper listened.
“Excellent work, let’s go!”
Reaper made his way to the main gate and pressed the intercom button. He pulled his mask over his face to ensure that none of the cameras could see his face.
“Hello?” came a voice, it was Donald.
Reaper pressed a button.
“Mum, Dad, it’s me and Lela. We’re OK. Please help us,” pleaded Tom to his father.
“Mr Kennedy, your actions in the next few seconds will determine whether you ever see your son alive again.”
Reaper’s statement was menacing and final.
Donald’s finger hovered over the panic alarm.
“What do you want?”
“I want to come in,” said Reaper. “And if you press that panic button, you will have killed your son.”
Donald’s finger jumped away from the button. Saki arrived by his side, almost as though he had sensed he was needed. Donald quickly explained the situation. Saki did not hesitate, he pressed the entry button and the gates opened.
The eleven Range Rovers sped through the gates and down the driveway towards the Main House. Reaper made his way to the front door where Donald and Saki were waiting. Reaper’s communications man raced past Donald and found his way to the central security system which he updated so that it would accept the ‘new’ guards. Within two minutes, forty men were patrolling the Estate, ensuring nobody came in and more importantly, nobody left.
In the time it had taken for Reaper to reach the house, Rachel had been made aware of what was happening. As Reaper walked into the lounge area, she was crying. Donald sat next to his wife to comfort her. Saki sat quietly in the corner of the room.
“What do you want?” asked Donald.
“That will become clear but at the moment I just want to settle in,” responded Reaper.
“So you are Saki?” Reaper turned to Saki and looked at him.
Saki stared back, he recognised the eyes that were looking at him. They had been clearly described to him by a cripple in Sabah. If it were not for the fact that this man was holding the key to his most precious possession, he would have snapped the man’s neck there and then. Fury pulsed through every vein in his body. This was the man who had planned the attack which killed his Tylanni.
“Yes,” he responded. His training ensured that none of his internal rage was evident to anyone else.
“As long as everybody does exactly as we ask, nobody will get hurt. We will be with you for a few days and then we will leave you in peace,” announced Reaper to the room, smiling under his mask.
Tom made his way back to the cockpit to get Lela.
Lela was crying, rolled up in one of the seats. Chen was playing with some sort of mobile behind her.
“What are you doing Chen?”
“Hmm nothing. I just found this device on the floor.” As Chen replied, the device buzzed.
“That’s the noise I’ve been hearing all day…let me see?” Tom asked.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, what are we going to do about your parents?” said Chen changing the subject.
“Nothing until I see the device… give me it!” Tom’s voice became angry.
Lela sat up.
“What’s going on? Chen, just give him the device!”
“OK…here,” Chen threw the device violently at Tom. As he did, his other hand moved quickly under his shirt to retrieve a pistol taped to his back.
Lela watched the device fly towards Tom. She could have stopped it but had noticed Chen’s other hand moving around his body. Lela watched and as Chen brought his hand around with the pistol, she pounced. She grabbed and snapped Chen’s wrist before his hand had made it round and the gun fell safely to the floor.
Tom ducked and the device hit the cabin wall at the same time as the gun hit the floor. Chen sat wide eyed looking at his hand in its unnatural position. Lela, had had enough and was ready to strike another blow but Tom raced over and suggested that Chen was not going to do any more damage. Shock had set in and his breathing had become very laboured, the pain would be intense.
On hearing the commotion, Kano rushed in.
“What happened?”
“It appears that Chen is not who we thought he was,” said Lela.
Chen stared blankly, the pain in his wrist was like nothing he had ever experienced.
“So who is he?”
“Well you heard the question, who are you?” said Lela moving towards Chen.
Chen flinched. He was a great fighter but Lela had bettered him without effort. He was still trying to work out what and how she had done it. He knew when he was beat.
“My real name is Ling.”
“But that’s a girls name,” said Kano.
“I am a girl. Well, actually I am a woman. I am twenty two and was hired to watch and help capture Tom and Lela.”
Tom heard the slap but did not see it even though he had not taken his eyes off Ling but her head snapped back and she let out a scream. By the time he looked over at Lela, she was just standing still with a smug look on her face.
A tear rolled down Ling’s cheek.
“I made Mia crash into the gate.”
“So who the hell is behind it all and what do they want?”
“I’m afraid I honestly can’t help you. I don’t know the answer to either of those questions. All I know is that whoever they are, they have lots of money. I was paid $500,000 up front and was to be paid the same again on completion.”
“Forgive me for not believing a word you say…bitch!” Lela was angry and finding it hard to control herself.
“Lela, please. You’re not helping,” said Tom to Lela but turning to Ling, he said, “As you know, we have access to a lot of money. If you do know anything that will help us get our parents back, we will pay you very handsomely.”
“No. I’ve told you all I know.”
“OK, we tried it your way, now mine,” said Kano.
He took Ling by the arm and led her through to the back of the chopper. Ling panicked and made a bid for the door but was on her back and being dragged down the cabin before she had moved an inch.
“What is he going to do to her?” Tom asked Lela.
“Nothing. He’s just scaring her. She’ll tell him everything she knows, he is a really scary guy. My dad reckons that the twins were the best two students he ever taught. In fact, it is said they’re the second and third best on the island.”
“Who’s the best?”
“My dad,” said Lela with pride.
“You never told me that.”
“You never asked.”
“So Saki’s good?”
“No, he’s unbelievable. Nobody comes near him. The twins are the closest but still some way behind. My dad is regarded as the best there has been for generations.”
“Wow, the things you find out at the weirdest times,” said Tom.
“I think it’s important you know now that nothing and I mean nothing will happen to Donald and Rachel while my dad is looking after them. We must not worry about them. We just need to get there so they know we’re OK.”
Kano came back to the main cabin.
“Nope, she doesn’t know anything else.”
“What did you do?” Tom asked.
“Other than making her wet herself with fear, nothing”
“So where is she now?”
“Tied up tight and going nowhere until someone cuts her free. We won’t need to worry about her again.”
Tom remembered the device and ran to pick it up. It was some sort of messaging system. The latest message had not been read. Tom clicked the button and it opened.
“We are in the house and have control, ensure targets remain within your sights and await further orders.”
The realisation that the situation was real sank in and Tom’s legs buckled. Kano moved in an instant, broke Tom’s fall and placed him in one of the seats.
“Thanks Kano. Is Saki as good as Lela says he is?”
“Tom, he’s the best. Let’s put it this way, the people in most danger in your parents’ home are the intruders. Don’t worry about your parents they’ll be fine.”
“OK, so how do we let them know we’re OK?” Tom perked up with the positive talk.
“Absolutely no idea,” replied Kano.
Chapter 50
Reaper checked his watch. It had been twenty minutes since he had spoken to Tom. He had just received word that his Apache chopper had run out of fuel and returned to base. The other helicopter was still in pursuit with eight soldiers on board. They were about thirty miles behind Tom and Lela but as they were also in an EH101, they would be unable to catch the targets before they landed. However, they would be right behind them when they touched down.
Reaper had expected to hear from Tom sooner but thought he would give him five more minutes. Reaper walked into the kitchen which had become their Operations Hub. The den, just off of the kitchen, had a wall of TVs which were perfect for keeping an eye on the different news feeds.
“So what now?” Leo asked.
“We just need to find out where they’re going to land. Pieter is standing by, ready to go whenever we get the landing position. And with the other helicopter hot on their heels, they should get quite a welcome.”
“Excellent, so we should have them in our hands by…” Leo looked at his watch “…five hours from now, about 5.00 p.m.”
“Yep.”
“What about the soldiers who are with them?”
“Pieter has three snipers and don’t forget we have Ling on board so there won’t be a problem.”
“What are the parents saying?” asked Leo.
“They want to talk to them of course, but I have told them no way, they get the kids when we get what we want.”
“Are they buying that?”
“At the moment yes, but we need to get them in our hands soon or we may have a problem. I don’t think they’ll buy it for two days.”
“Excuse me!” shouted Donald from the adjacent room.
Reaper left Leo and made his way back to the lounge.
“What?”
“Do we have to stay here or can we move around the house?”
“You can do whatever you want, but just be assured you’re not going anywhere and all communications have been cut. Any calls coming in are being intercepted by us.”
“But I’m in the middle of a big deal. If I disappear, people will wonder what’s wrong.”
“Oh, don’t you worry, I know all about your deal. You will be allowed to work on that. In fact, it’s imperative that you do but not before a colleague of mine arrives. He’ll be keeping an eye on eve
rything you do. One slip and the man holding the knife to your son’s throat, will let it slip. Understand?”
“Yes, clearly. Is this what this is all about then, the deal?”
“All will become clear.”
“But you took all those schools just because of a business deal?” Donald had pieced it all together.
“Very clever Mr Kennedy. They said you were a very bright man. Now be very bright, keep quiet and you’ll get to see your son again.”
“And Lela?” Donald added quickly.
“And Lela, yes. If you want to go to your bedrooms or use the toilet or watch TV, feel free. My men, however, will be with you. Any silly moves and the children die. Clear?”
“Yes,” said Rachel quickly, she just wanted Tom and Lela back unharmed. Saki nodded, as did Donald, resigned to their predicament.
Chapter 51
“So who are we up against and why?” asked Kisho. They all congregated in the cockpit to decide what to do next.
“Not sure but whoever it is, they’re a very big player,” said Tom. “And I’m guessing that the four schools were taken in order to get the troops off of our island. That is a massive operation. As to why, no idea but whatever it is, it obviously involves me and Lela which probably means my dad.”
“Who cares about that. What are we going to do?” asked Lela.
“Can I see the charts?” asked Tom. “The first thing we need to do is keep them happy and that means telling them where we’re going to land.”
Tom disappeared with Kisho into the main cabin. Kano and Lela were left holding the controls.
“I didn’t know you two could fly helicopters,” said Lela impressed.
“We can’t, only Kisho can. I took the ground vehicle courses and he took the flight courses.”
“But you’re flying now aren’t you?” she said with panic in her voice.
“Not really, we’re on autopilot. If anything goes wrong, I’ll call Kisho, don’t worry,” he said as reassuringly as he could.
Lela thought for a moment.
“I can’t believe it, all those children in those schools, all because of us. You know they’ve killed some of them?” said Lela, the enormity of the situation hitting her. “We have to do something!”
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