* * *
Daniel gloated as he watched Karen stare at her husband. Finally, she looked away and out a window of the small passenger cabin of the helicopter as it pulsed its way along.
“What’s the matter Karen?” Daniel asked. “Don’t approve of Frank’s little side business?”
She didn’t respond.
Daniel laughed and looked at Frank with a big grin. “Your wife has scruples, unlike you.”
Karen sat in total disbelief realizing her husband was intimately involved with Samantha’s abduction and the conspiracy to capture Hunter.
Frank reached for her.
“Don’t touch me,” she said. “I don’t understand you and why you would do these evil things.”
“Karen,” he began. “I can explain.”
Daniel laughed again. “What are you going to explain, Frank? That you’ve been working for me for the past few years? That you’re the one who helped set up some dummy corporations for me so I could... protect my money.”
He turned to Karen. “In your husband’s defense, he had no idea what he was getting into in the beginning. He honestly believed he was doing me a favor. Helping me out. It wasn’t until months later that he finally realized what was going on.” He grinned at Frank. “But of course by then, he was in too deep. He knew too much. He had no choice but to continue to follow orders. Either that or destroy his career, go to prison, and lose you in the process.” Daniel sat back with a satisfied look. “Frank’s been a busy boy and very useful to us.”
Karen stared at her husband. “Frank,” she said.
“I’m sorry, Honey,” he replied. “I never meant to...”
Daniel stiffened. “Enough! Stop talking! I’m tired of listening to everyone’s pitiful whining. All of you are pitiful people. I want it quiet so I can think. I have things to think about.”
Karen looked away and out a window as did Frank. Minutes ticked by as they all sat quietly until Karen finally broke the silence. With composure she asked Daniel, “What did you mean I was insurance?”
“I thought I told you to be quiet,” he said.
“I want an answer. I deserve an answer.”
Daniel looked at her for a long moment. “Okay. Here’s your answer. As long as your husband continues to do what he’s told, you get to live.”
“I see.” She didn’t flinch.
Daniel snickered. “You’ve suddenly developed some backbone.” He looked at Frank. “There’s more to your wife than I expected. This might turn out nicely after all.” He gave Karen a wink.
She continued to stare at him. “Don’t get your hopes up.”
“No?” Daniel leaned forward against his restraint. “If you’re nice to me, I can be nice to you. Frank won’t mind, will you Frank?” Daniel laughed. “You see, I get what I want. You think he’s going to go up against me? He doesn’t dare. He doesn’t have a backbone. He’s spineless and weak.”
Karen continued to stare at Daniel.
“Stop looking at me like that,” he said. “And stop asking questions.”
She grinned.
“Now what?” he asked.
She kept grinning.
“Stop grinning! Stop talking! Stop looking at me!” He was belligerent and glowered at her. “Unless... you want me to toss you out of this helicopter.”
Frank jerked at his remark.
“Oh, ho! Look who’s suddenly getting a little testy!” Daniel laughed at Frank.
“So go ahead,” Karen said calmly.
Daniel looked back at her. “Go ahead? You mean you want me to throw you out!” He laughed. “Are you crazy? We’re flying at five thousand feet for god’s sake. You have any idea the little bitty greasy spot you’d make when you slammed into the ground?” He laughed mockingly.
“I dare you.” she said.
Frank watched his wife with grave concern and shook his head.
“I dare you,” she repeated still staring at Daniel.
“Frank!” he ordered. “Open the door. Toss your wife out!”
“No, you stupid spineless ass!” Karen shouted. “You do it!”
Daniel looked at Frank then back at Karen. “Okay.” he said. “I will.” He reached for the door latch but his headset and shoulder restraint caught. He pulled off the headset and released his restraint to grab it. Karen quickly glanced at her husband and gave a slight nod. Frank released his own seat restraint.
Daniel forced the door completely open bringing with it a rush of wind and noise into the cabin.
The pilot yelled back at Daniel. “What the hell are you doing! Close that damn door!”
“I have some unfinished business to take care of first!” Daniel yelled back over the roar of the wind and the rotors. As he reached for Karen’s restraint, Frank attacked him. In response, Daniel pulled a gun from his shoulder holster, but Frank grabbed his hand and the gun fell to the floor.
Karen knocked it away with her foot then struggled to kick Daniel repeatedly.
“What’s going on back there!” the pilot yelled again.
Hunched over in the cramped cabin space, Daniel tried to respond but Frank gave him a left jab to the jaw. Off balance, Daniel stepped backward, banging his head on the transom of the open door, but caught himself in a panic.
“Hey!” the pilot called out again trying to look over his shoulder.
Frank lunged at Daniel but both men collapsed to the floor, with Daniel now on top of Frank, their feet at the door opening. He reached for Frank’s throat as the wind mixed with driven rain pelted the cabin interior. Frank maintained his grip on Daniel and delivered another jab.
Karen shrieked as both men inched closer to the open door their feet now hanging out.
With intense anger, Daniel grabbed Frank by his shirt collar with one hand, pounding his face with multiple blows. Frank managed to drive his knee into Daniel’s groin jolting him up. Terror swept over Daniel’s face as he realized he could easily slip out the rain slick doorway.
In a panic he attempted to strike Frank again. Both men struggled to their feet fighting ferociously while the pilot fought to maintain control of the aircraft against the drag created by the open cabin door and the increasing wind and rain.
Suddenly, Daniel regained the advantage by dropping down, rolling Frank over the top of him and out the opening. Karen shrieked in terror as she watched her husband desperately grab for something to hold onto only to slip away.
Daniel rose up, exhausted and breathing heavily as he glared at Karen. “You’re next,” he managed to say through clenched teeth.
Karen gave him one last penetrating look as he reached for her belt buckle then kicked him away with every ounce of strength she could muster. Daniel lost his balance falling against the seat near the open door, momentarily stunned.
Still out of breath, he glared at her and leaned forward to stand up. In one last desperate and terrifying effort, Karen delivered a violent and final kick to his gut then watched as Daniel fell backward into the open doorway, frantically clawing at the slippery surface before he disappeared as well.