Chapter 4 - THE MEN ON THE TARMAC
No one ran.
There was nowhere to go.
The cabin doors remained closed while the captain spoke with someone through the cockpit communication system.
Passengers had begun filming despite repeated instructions from the crew.
Claire held Emma’s hand.
Oliver was awake now, making small noises against her chest.
Margaret sat completely still.
The arrogance was gone.
“What are you afraid of?” Claire asked.
Margaret looked at the black SUVs outside.
“The man in the gray tie.”
Claire spotted him.
Tall.
Silver at his temples.
About fifty.
Calm posture.
He stood slightly behind the other agents.
“Who is he?”
“Victor Hale.”
“What agency?”
Margaret gave a humorless smile.
“Whichever one needs him.”
The forward cabin door opened.
Four agents boarded.
Victor Hale was not among them.
The lead agent introduced himself as Special Agent Warren Pike.
He showed credentials.
“We have a security matter involving an item recovered on this aircraft.”
Passengers erupted with questions.
Pike ignored them.
His eyes found Claire immediately.
“Claire Whitmore?”
She didn’t answer.
Margaret’s warning echoed in her mind.
Pike stepped closer.
“We need you and your children to come with us.”
Claire tightened her hold on Emma.
“Why?”
“For your safety.”
“What danger am I in?”
“We can discuss that privately.”
“Who is Daniel Whitmore?”
Something flickered in Pike’s eyes.
Margaret noticed.
Claire did too.
“My husband carried a badge belonging to an agency I’ve never heard of.”
Pike’s expression became neutral again.
“We’ll discuss all relevant details downstairs.”
Margaret laughed.
Every agent looked at her.
Pike’s face changed.
“You.”
“Hello, Warren.”
“You were instructed never to approach the Whitmore family.”
“I didn’t.”
“You’re sitting beside them.”
“She came to me.”
Claire stared.
“That’s a lie.”
Margaret ignored her.
Pike motioned to another agent.
“Take Collins.”
Two men moved forward.
Margaret stood willingly.
As they cuffed her, she looked at Claire.
“Remember what I said.”
Pike turned.
“What did she say?”
Claire made a decision.
“She told me nothing.”
Margaret’s eyes briefly softened.
Pike studied Claire.
Then Oliver began crying.
The sound broke the tension.
Claire rocked him.
“I need somewhere private to feed my baby.”
Pike nodded.
“We have vehicles waiting.”
“I’m not leaving this airplane until I know where you intend to take us.”
“To a federal facility.”
“Which one?”
“Mrs. Whitmore—”
“My husband supposedly died eight months ago. His government identification just appeared beneath a stranger on my flight. That stranger knows my newborn son’s name. You boarded this plane already knowing who I am. I’m done going anywhere without answers.”
Several passengers applauded.
Pike did not appreciate it.
He leaned closer.
“Your husband was involved in a classified investigation.”
Claire felt Emma squeeze her hand.
“Was?”
Pike hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Is Daniel dead?”
The agent’s silence answered more than words could have.
Claire’s legs nearly failed.
Emma started crying.
“Mom?”
Claire crouched and hugged her.
Pike spoke quietly.
“I did not say your husband was alive.”
“You didn’t say he was dead either.”
“There are circumstances you don’t understand.”
“Then make me understand.”
Pike looked toward the front door.
Victor Hale was now standing inside the aircraft.
He had boarded without Claire noticing.
Hale walked down the aisle.
Unlike the others, he displayed no badge.
He stopped beside Oliver.
The baby suddenly became quiet.
Hale stared at him for a long moment.
Then at Claire.
“You shouldn’t have brought the boy.”
Claire stepped backward.
Hale smiled.
May you like
It wasn’t friendly.
“Daniel always did have terrible timing.”
