Jonas Saul - The Hostage

Sarah Roberts wondered if intent mattered. Could murder be justified?

She rested her head back on the seat and contemplated what her life had become debating the senseless murder of Drake Bellamy and thinking about her dead sister. What caused Vivian to stay in touch?

After she stopped Drakes planned murder, would she be able to find out why Drake was targeted? All the key players were already dead. There had to be a reason other than just murder.

Turbulence snapped Sarah out of her thoughts as the KLM Boeing 747400 shook. They dropped through the clouds as she rubbed her stomach. The planes in-flight meal hadnt sat well.

The ground took shape below, Toronto sprawling to all points on the compass except where Lake Ontario touched its southern shore.

The lake had the look of an ocean due to its massive size. From where she sat, a few thousand feet in the air, the lake stopped at the horizon. The United States couldnt be seen on the other side.

The lone male passenger beside her had slept most of the flight, but was waking now. She had the window seat in a row of three. An empty chair separated the man who had introduced himself as Dave when theyd first sat down. Heading home to a funeral, hed said. How sad.

A commotion started in front of her seat. The couple in the next row were arguing. She looked at Dave and smiled at the tension in the seats ahead. Then she heard the woman gasp. Sarah looked out the window again but only saw the sprawling city and the massive lake. Shed never been to Toronto, but shed seen pictures, so she had an idea of what to expect. She scanned the downtown area, but for all her effort, she couldnt locate the CN Tower, one of Torontos landmark tourist attractions.

Somethings wrong. Thats why theyre arguing.

Her stomach dropped.

What now?

She looked at the man beside her again. He seemed disinterested in the people ahead of them as they grew more and more animated.

A beep resounded throughout the aircraft, signaling everyone to fasten their seat belts. Sarah already had hers on. She looked out the window again as they got closer to the ground.

This is your captain speaking. Good afternoon. Well be landing in Toronto to moderate winds, with a light cloud cover and a temperature of twenty-eight degrees Celsius. Were slightly ahead of schedule as we had a tailwind. Well be landing fifteen minutes early. The cabin crew and myself would like to thank you for flying KLM flight 487B and wish you safe travels wherever your final destination may be. Cabin crew, take your seats for landing.

Sarah stared out the window as the city drew closer. No CN Tower. Nothing recognizable. Weird.

Torontos big. Maybe its in another part.

The couple in the seats in front of her grew louder. The man pushed the flight attendant button.

Sarah tapped the back of their seat and leaned forward.

Is everything okay? she asked. Now that were preparing to land, I dont think any flight attendants will come.

Both of them turned and looked at her through the gap in the seat.

Thats not Toronto below us, the male said. Somethings wrong. Were landing in Chicago. That lake down there is Lake Michigan, not Lake Ontario.

What? Sarah couldnt believe it. They had to be making a mistake. Are you sure? The captain just announced that we were landing in Toronto.

Im absolutely sure. I used to live there. This is Chicago. No doubt about it.

But why? Theres no layover booked there. Let me check my boarding pass.

Sarah reached in her carryon bag and grabbed her boarding pass, already knowing she wouldnt see the name Chicago on it. It said KLM, flight 487B, her seat number and the destination: Toronto. She had to be in Toronto by Wednesday to stop Drake Bellamys murder. If she was on the wrong flight, she had no idea how fast she could make new plans.

What do your boarding passes say? she asked.

According to this were on a flight to Toronto. It doesnt make any sense, because thats Chicago below us.

Sarah turned to her right. Dave, the man sitting one seat over, had a stupid smile on his face.

Have you checked your boarding pass?

He shook his head in the negative, but didnt say anything.

Why are you smiling? Sarah asked. Do you find something amusing?

Dave opened the right side of his jacket far enough to show Sarah his weapon.

Im an air marshal. The penalties and jail time can be severe for cases of air rage, so I suggest you sit back and relax. Dont do anything stupid. No more disturbing the other passengers. No more questions. Theres nowhere you can go, nothing you can do. Stay calm. Everything will be explained when we land.

Sarah stared at him, open-mouthed. Tell me youre joking, please, because showing me your gun like that is what I consider to be a threat. Ive done nothing wrong on this flight. Ive not been arrested and Im definitely not your prisoner. So, tell me youre joking, because if you arent, we are going to have a problem. A serious fucking problem.

The air marshal undid his seat belt and stood up in the aisle. He looked toward the back of the plane and nodded his head. He turned forward and repeated the same nod.

Two men walked toward Dave along the aisle.

Dave turned to the passengers watching him from their seats when his backup arrived.

May I have your attention, please? My name is Dave Ingram. I am an air marshal. These men are also marshals. We have a temporary situation that you neednt be alarmed with. This plane is landing in Chicago and then it will be heading to Toronto as planned. You may be a little late getting to your final destination and were sorry for that inconvenience, but we have a passenger here that needs to be detained. Stay calm. Well be on the ground in moments.

What a nightmare. Who is orchestrating this?

People whispered among themselves. Sarah felt every face aimed toward her. She needed to think. They were close to the ground. The plane would touch down within a minute. She had to do something, but what?

Could Rod Howley be behind this? No way. Hes dead or seriously wounded back in Hungary.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as the wheels touched down.

Stay calm, Sarah, stay calm.

There was no use trying to fight three armed men. With the way air travel had changed, if she attacked the marshals, regular passengers would come to their aid.

What will Parkman think when he arrives in Toronto to pick her up at the airport and, not only is flight 487B late, but Sarah isnt on it? He is going to be pissed. They were supposed to meet and go to a ball game tomorrow to see the stadium before Wednesday, the day Drake is to be killed. Parkman will be furious when he finds out whos behind this.

Im going to be furious when I find out who has fucked up my day.

The air brakes activated and the plane slowed, taxiing off the landing strip.

The three marshals wouldnt take their eyes off of her. Whoever was behind this had informed these men who she was and that she was to be watched carefully. Do not underestimate her. Sarah is dangerous.

Good advice.

Sarah undid her belt. The plane stopped, still quite far from the terminal. In the distance a line of three black SUVs headed their way. FBI?

The couple sitting ahead of her sneaked peeks backwards. She smiled at the woman, who jumped away as if bitten.

Is all this really necessary? Sarah asked.

Dave nodded.

Who has the kind of power to change the flight plan of a major commercial airliner? Sarah asked. The U.S. government maybe? The Sophia Project guys? Am I getting closer?

Dave didnt respond this time. He bent down and looked out Sarahs window at the approaching SUVs.

Theyre coming now, he said to the two men on either side of him.