by Tami Kidd
“Hello again, sir, how can I help you?”
“Could you do me a favor? Flight 1286 arrived, but the party I’m supposed to meet doesn’t seem to be around. Could you page her?” Noah asked.
“Perhaps your party went to the restroom and just hasn’t made it down yet.”
“Maybe. I’ll give her a few more minutes.”
“Okay, sir, if she doesn’t come down soon, let me know and I’ll page her.”
Noah nodded, walked back to the escalator, and watched. Ten minutes later, he walked back to Corrine’s counter. She was helping another customer so he waited. When the other person left, he took his turn.
“Would you page her now please?”
Corrine paged Mara several times with no luck. Finally, she offered to check the passenger list to make sure she was on the flight.
“I don’t see her name on the list, Mr. Carpenter.”
Noah’s eyebrows knit together. “How can that be? She called me from the airport before she boarded to tell me she was on her way.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but she’s not listed. Could she have used another name?”
“How about Mara Strange?” Noah didn’t think Mara would be using Alex’s last name, but it was worth a shot. Maybe they tied the knot without telling anyone.
Corrine typed the name and shook her head. She looked behind Noah. He turned and saw another customer waiting in line. Unwilling to walk away or give up, but not sure what he should do, he stepped aside. He took his cell phone out of his pocket again and scrolled through his list of contacts until he found Mara’s number. He pressed the call button. It rang and rang some more before it went to voice mail.
“Mara, this is Noah. I’m at the airport. Your flight just arrived, and you weren’t on it. What the heck? Give me a call ASAP. I don’t know what to do. Do I wait or what? Call me!”
Three
Alex Strange jolted in his seat when the judge pounded his gavel, dismissing court for the day. He rubbed his eyes with two fingers. He checked his watch. Well, this day is shot to hell. His legs stiff and his butt numb, Alex fell in behind the people exiting the courtroom. Outside, people loitered in the hallway to discuss the day’s proceedings, make dinner plans, or schedule breakfast meetings prior to tomorrow’s start. Alex walked over to the elevator and waited with a small group of people. His phone rang, so he stepped away from the crowd to wait for the next elevator. He hated it when people carried on a conversation in an elevator, so he refrained from subjecting strangers to listen in on his business, which he was sure wouldn’t interest anyone anyway.
“Hello,” Alex said.
“Hi, Alex, it’s Noah. Sorry to bother you with this, it’s probably nothing, but—”
“What’s up, Noah?” Alex asked.
“Mara didn’t get off the plane when it arrived. It was delayed, and when it landed, she wasn’t on it.”
“What?” Alex stopped walking and stood in the middle of the hallway. A man behind him accidently bumped into him.
“Sorry,” the man said as he sidestepped around Alex.
“No problem.” Alex waved at the stranger.
“Huh?” Noah’s voice called out from the phone.
“Oh nothing, some guy ran into me.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the courthouse. The session just finished for the day.” Alex stepped into an empty conference room and sat at a large table. Resting his head in his hand, Alex said, “I don’t understand. I dropped her off early this morning.”
“I know. She called me right before she boarded to let me know everything was on schedule.”
“Have you talked to anybody with the airline?” Alex asked.
“Yeah, they said her name wasn’t on the passenger list.”
“I have her flight information, including seat assignment, gates, and times at my office. Her flight had a layover in Dallas. I wonder if she missed the connecting flight.”
“All I know is she’s not here. Don’t you think she would have called if she missed her flight?” Noah asked.
“Yeah, I do. Unless something happened to her phone.” Alex paused and then continued. “Okay, thanks for calling. I’m going back to the office. I’ll see what I can find out and give you a call back.”
“What do I do? Wait here at the airport or go home?”
Alex heard the worry in Noah’s voice. “Go on home,” Alex said. “There’s no sense in you sitting around there. It could be a while before we know anything. I’ll call you. Noah, don’t worry. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”
****
Alex ran past the secretary’s desk without a word and bolted into his office. Once inside, he rummaged through the papers on his desk, sending some flying through the air.
Janet followed him into his office. “What are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for Mara’s flight information.”
His secretary walked to the desk, scanned the papers, picked up a note, and handed it to him. “Here it is.”
Alex snatched it from her hand without a word of thanks.
“What’s wrong?”
“Noah called. Mara didn’t get off the plane in Little Rock. The airline said she wasn’t on their passenger list.”
“That’s crazy. How could she not be on their passenger list?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I need this.” He held up the piece of paper. “It’s got everything right down to her seat number.” Alex’s hands trembled as he reread it.
“Take a breath and calm down. We’ll get this figured out.” Janet walked over to Alex and placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. She gently led him to his chair.
“Where could she be?” He looked up at her.
“Maybe she decided to go to Tahiti,” Janet said trying to make light of the situation.
Alex smirked. “Not funny.”
Janet shrugged. “Sorry. She probably missed her connecting flight.”
“I’ve got to make some calls. Will you shut the door on your way out?”
“Sure boss, no problem.” At the door, Janet turned to look at him. “Don’t worry, she’ll turn up.”
Alex glanced up at her and nodded. His throat constricted as he clenched his hands into fists so tight, his nails dug into his palms. Damn it. Not again.
Four
Why do we obey those in authority? When we see blue lights behind us while driving, first we curse, check our speed, and automatically look for the nearest place to pull over. A judge or jury hands over a decision that decides our fate and we accept it without question. Laws are passed and we acquiesce without hesitation. A strange man walks onto a plane, flashes a badge, and I surrender to him willingly. What makes us yield so easily to others we perceive as authority?
Mara sat in a small windowless room with dingy cement-block walls. The space smelled of stale sweat, dust, and tacos, a nauseating combination. The cheap aluminum table in front of her wobbled slightly, and the straight back metal chairs were hard and cold. Worn, pockmarked linoleum decorated with dirty-gold stars covered the floor. The room was so hot it was hard to breathe. She looked around for an air vent and found one in the door leading into the hall.
The man who removed Mara from the plane brought her to the little room and left, locking the door behind him. Without her cell phone, she had no idea of the time. Hours could have passed or maybe just minutes. She couldn’t trust her judgment. Mara’s head swam, her mouth felt like cotton, and her stomach churned. She wrung her hands like damp dishrags. Placing two fingertips to her neck, she felt the erratic beat of her heart. Calm down. This is just a terrible mistake. They’ll figure it out and let me go.
For something to bide the time, she studied one corner of the room where a small gray trashcan sat filled with the debris of someone’s lunch, probably the source of the taco stench. Good, a place I can throw up in if I need to.
Hearing footsteps outside, Mara turned toward the door. The vent is good for something. With a
click, the lock disengaged. Her bully of an escort limped in and handed her a bottle of water. She hesitated briefly as she studied his face. She reached for the bottle, twisted off the cap, and gulped the water. She coughed as some of the cool liquid dribbled from her lips. With trembling hands, she wiped the water from her chin. “Thanks,” Mara whispered.
“Ms. Byrne, I’m sorry you’ve been sitting here for so long. I intended to have you transported to another location by now, but there were some technical difficulties. I apologize for the delay.”
Mara glared at him, her mouth slightly open. Revitalized from the refreshing water, she said, “You’re sorry? Really? Well, I’m sorry because I don’t believe you. If I remember correctly, from your ID, your name is Michael Porter, right?”
He nodded.
“Well, Mr. Porter, what do you want with me, and where are you taking me? I believe I have a right to know.”
“Ms. Byrne, all your questions will be answered. Please be patient.”
Mara slammed the table in front of her with her palm. “Patient? I think I’ve been more than patient. You dragged me off the plane as if I’m some sort of criminal.” Her voice rose with each syllable. “Then you stuck me in this hellhole for God knows how long and tell me to be patient.”
“I understand you’re upset, and I promise no harm will come to you. We just need to talk to you.”
“Oh, you have no idea how upset I am, and if you don’t give me some answers soon, you will be sorry. I have rights,” she said indignantly.
He looked at her without saying a word.
Mara inhaled and said more calmly, “I don’t know how they do things where you come from, but the last time I checked, this is the United States of America, and as a U.S. citizen, I am entitled to certain rights. One of those being that you cannot hold me against my will without charging me. Furthermore, if I am under arrest, you have to allow me one phone call.” Tilting her head to one side, she crossed her arms and stared at him.
“Ms. Byrne, you’re not under arrest.”
“Fine,” she said rising from the chair. “Then I’m walking out of here.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t let you do that,” He moved between her and the door. A light tap knocked. He turned and opened it a crack.
A raspy voice on the other side of the door said, “We’re ready.”
“Thanks, we’ll be right out.” Michael pushed the door closed. Reaching inside his pocket, he pulled out the wrist restraints. “It’s time to go, Ms. Byrne. I’m going to place these on your wrists. Please don’t resist. If you do, I’ll have to sedate you. I don’t think you want that. Do I have your word that you’ll cooperate?”
Mara glared at him for a moment. “Gee, let me see. Do I want to be tied up and dragged out of here unwillingly, or do I want to be drugged and carried out? Hmm, decisions, decisions.” She thrust her wrists forward. “Let’s get this over with, Michael.”
****
Her captor whisked Mara aboard a private jet to an unknown destination. The wrist restraints had been removed, and again, she found herself seated next to the window. This time instead of Cal, Michael Porter kept watch from the seat across her.
“It’s ironic don’t you think?” Mara asked.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, using words to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning, like mockery.”
Michael lowered his head. A faint smile crossed his lips.
She waited for a response. When he didn’t reply, she continued. “Oh, that’s not what you meant? Sorry. Well, isn’t it ironic that you dragged me off a plane only to put me on another. Can’t you make up your mind? You’re sending me mixed signals, Michael.”
Michael inhaled deeply. “Believe me, this isn’t fun for me either. However, on this plane, you are destined to a different location.”
Mara paused and then tilted her head to one side. “What do you do besides abscond innocent people off airplanes?”
With cold, hard eyes, he stared at the glass of tomato juice he held, swirling it around, watching the thick, red liquid as though momentarily hypnotized by its lazy motion. Setting the glass on the table beside him, he looked at Mara and crossed his legs. “I’m not important. What matters now is that I get you safely to your destination. You’re the important one.”
“Am I a high value asset?”
Michael gazed straight ahead and did not respond to her sarcasm.
“Fine.” Mara stood and started toward the rear of the plane.
“Where are you going?” Michael asked as he moved forward in his seat.
“To the restroom. Don’t worry; I’m not going to bail unless there’s an escape hatch and a parachute inside.” Mara smiled wryly and turned away without looking back.
When Mara returned to her seat, she noticed Michael putting his cell phone back in his pocket. “Phoning home?”
“Just making sure everything’s in place for our arrival.”
The flight, already too long and heading in the wrong direction, frustrated her to no end. Mara shook her head as she sat in her seat. “If I had known this was going to be such a long flight I would have brought a book to read.”
****
David Ruiz ended his call, turned to the president, and said, “That was Porter, sir. Everything is on track. They should arrive on schedule. Ruiz looked at his boss, waiting for a response.
“Thank you, David.” President Richard Riley gazed at the wall as if it would foretell great secrets.
Ruiz cocked an eyebrow. “Sir? Is everything alright?”
“I’m sorry, David. Yes. I’m just having second thoughts about how we handled this situation.”
“I understand, sir. This is not something you would have chosen to do, but I can assure you this is the best course of action.”
“I don’t like taking chances. Do you think the press and the rest of the staff bought the idea that I wanted to take an impromptu golf trip to Florida?”
“Yes, sir. I do. You made your appearance on the course. They took their pictures. Everyone’s happy. All they need to know is that you took a day to play a few holes and relax with a good book. I’ll be sure to let them know the title, so they can publish that too. You know how the public is, obsessed with everything you do.” Ruiz walked to the mahogany bar and filled two crystal glasses with ice. He poured honey-colored liquid into them and brought one to the president.
The president took the drink. “Thank you, David. I hope you’re right about this.”
“I am sir, trust me. You’ll have your meeting. Stress the importance of cooperation. Hopefully, the response will be what you want. Then you can take Marine One back to Washington, and no one will ever know.”
“I know you don’t agree with my views on this subject. I know you think we should head in a different direction. I disagree with your comment that I’m committing political suicide. I really think this is for the good of all mankind.” He took a sip from the glass and savored the heat. “If I can pull this off, can you imagine how it will change the world?”
Ruiz swallowed a long pull from his glass. “Yes sir, I can see how it would be a great achievement. There will be no limits to what you can accomplish or how far you can go.”
The president stood, walked to the window, and stared out at the plush green golf course beyond. “I’m not doing this for votes. I’m not running again.”
“I wasn’t aware you weren’t running again.”
The president turned to look at his chief of staff. “No, if I succeed with this, then I’ll let someone else take over and make sure it’s run properly.”
Clearing his throat, Ruiz glanced at his watch. “Sir, they should be landing shortly. Maybe you should prepare.”
The president put his glass on the desk. “Thank you, David. You’re a great comfort.”
A crooked smile replaced a heartier grin. “Thank you, sir.” Ruiz watched the president leave.
****
Silence dominated the
remainder of the flight. When the plane touched down and taxied to a stop, Michael rose and motioned Mara to stand. “Time for the restraints again,” he said.
Mara looked into his eyes and stepped within inches of his tall frame. She could feel the heat from his body as she held out her hands. “You seem very experienced at this, Michael. Does this excite you?”
Michael’s face turned crimson. He bound her hands and placed a blindfold over her eyes. Adjusting it till he was certain she could not see through the edges, he took her by the elbow and guided her off the plane. His limp and her blindness slowed them down.
Outside, the jet engines whirred to a soft crescendo. Mara expected to hear more, but other than the slowing engines, only a symphony of crickets backed by a slight rush of wind could be heard. Michael directed her down the stairs. Once at the bottom, she stepped onto an unyielding, flat, solid ground. Aside from the blindfold, warm air caressed her face.
The sound of car doors opening drew her attention. A firm hand held her head down while another guided her to sit. The weight of the car shifted as others got inside. No one uttered a word. The motor turned over, and the car began to move. She heard the tires transition from one surface to another, gravel to asphalt. A few minutes later, they came to a halt, and the driver cut the engine. Again, the doors opened. Someone took Mara by the arm and directed her from the car, making sure she didn’t bump her head on the doorframe.
A series of electronic beeps, followed by a single tone, and then a whoosh alerted her to a door opening. The firm grip that had guided Mara, thus far, pulled on her arm. She could tell they entered a building. The clatter of discordant footsteps echoed, grating on her nerves. Another door opened, one less noisy. Strong hands gently placed her on an overstuffed chair. She sank down into the soft cushions. Someone removed the blindfold from her eyes. The light made her squint, and she blinked when she heard a click. As her eyes grew accustomed to the change in light, she glanced around. She sat alone.
Warm rich colors exquisitely decorated the room. A large mahogany desk occupied the space to her right and directly in front of her, a brown-leather couch. Beside her, another identical chair remained empty, waiting for someone to occupy it.