“Money, sounds like.”
“Right,” she said. “That’s why he and those goons did it, but what’s the virus for?”
“Bioweapon. His guess. Not mine.”
“That’s some messed-up shit right there.”
“Yeah.” Eric shared a long look with Leo. “And I’ve got a funny feeling it’s not over.”
“This starting to feel like a conspiracy to you, Eric? A big one?”
“Sure is.” He thought for a few seconds. “Theycan’tlet Tenny live.”
“Think they’ll take us down? Whole aircraft?”
He shivered, thinking about Zoe and Ford back there. All the others. Good people, who didn’t deserve to die.
“Shit.” His mind was working fast, going into overdrive. “How soon till we land in Punta Arenas?”
“Hour or so.”
“All right.” He smiled at her. “I’ve got an idea.”
Chapter 51
Entering United States Airspace—18 hours later
“Got company,” Leo muttered when they entered U.S. airspace the next day.
Eric heard it—an F-16 darted under them, swooped up and to the side. Circling them like a goddamned shepherd.
“Escort.” He eyed the horizon.
“Yeah.” Leo didn’t have to look at him.
A voice crackled in their headsets. “This is a United States Air Force armed F-16. You are in violation of restricted airspace.”
“Restricted airspace my ass,” Leo muttered. “I filed a damn flight plan.”
“Yeah, well, we all know they don’t give a shit about the flight plan,” Eric responded.
“This is a United States Air Force armed F-16. You have been intercepted. Please acknowledge or rock your wings.”
Eric lifted his phone. “I’m recording.”
“Here we go.” With an irritated sigh, Leo acknowledged them, asking, “What is the violation?” When she didn’t get an answer, she identified herself and went on. “This aircraft is returning home from the Volkov Antarctic Research Station. We have a prisoner on board. And we’ve got a journalist from the Los AngelesTimeson the phone. She is recording and live-broadcasting these communications and knows the identity of every person on this aircraft. Please convey that information to…whoever you are currently reporting to.”
After a pause, the F-16 pilot replied, “Roger that.”
There was no more communication, so she remained on-course, following the tower’s instructions as they approached. When they were cleared to land, she did so impeccably. The woman had nerves of steel. Best pilot he’d ever had the pleasure to fly with.
On the ground, Eric stared out at what looked like millions of flashing lights and let out his pent-up breath before heading to the back. Alone, he opened the airplane door to find quite the welcoming committee, weapons trained on him.
ATF, FBI, police. From the looks of it, they were all here. Media organizations crowded the grass beyond the fence. Above them, more than one news helicopter circled.
“We’ve got one wounded United States citizen,” Eric yelled out the door. “In need of immediate medical care.”
“Step outside, sir!”
