Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Served Her Water
Laura stopped.
The woman smiled.
"Good."
"Now we're all going to remain calm."
Laura looked at Elena.
Her face was pale.
But her eyes were alert.
"Let her go."
The woman shook her head.
"Not until you listen."
"Who are you?"
"Someone who knows what you did in Afghanistan."
Laura felt her jaw tighten.
"I didn't do anything wrong."
The woman laughed.
"That's what they all say."
Marcus moved closer.
Laura held up one hand.
"Stay where you are."
He stopped.
The woman tilted her head.
"You still think you can give orders."
Laura kept her voice steady.
"No."
"I'm asking you not to make this worse."
The woman studied her.
"General Halden said you'd be difficult."
"Halden has been wrong about me before."
The woman's smile disappeared.
"Enough."
She pressed the blade closer to Elena.
Several passengers began crying.
Laura's eyes moved briefly toward the emergency exit.
Then back to the woman.
"What's your name?"
"Doesn't matter."
"It matters to Elena."
The woman hesitated.
"Caroline."
"All right, Caroline."
"Tell me what you want."
Caroline looked toward Marcus.
He nodded.
"The evidence," she said.
"It's in Madrid."
"Then you're threatening the wrong person."
Caroline shook her head.
"We know about the bracelet."
Laura felt her chest tighten.
"Then you know I don't have it."
"You're going to call your sister."
"And tell her to bring Sophie to a location we choose."
Laura stared at her.
"No."
Caroline's expression hardened.
"You don't have a choice."
Laura looked at Elena again.
The flight attendant's fingers were moving slowly.
She was reaching toward the cabin alarm control behind her.
Laura understood.
She needed time.
"How long have you worked for Halden?"
Caroline narrowed her eyes.
"Long enough."
"Did you know Nathan?"
"Everyone knew Nathan."
"Then you know he had a daughter."
Caroline's expression shifted.
Only slightly.
But Laura saw it.
"You have children?"
Caroline looked away.
"Don't."
"Does Halden know their names?"
Caroline's eyes returned to Laura.
For the first time, there was uncertainty in them.
Laura continued.
"Because men like Halden don't stop using people when they're no longer useful."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Shut her up."
Caroline hesitated.
That was all Elena needed.
She struck the alarm control.
A sharp tone sounded.
Marcus turned.
Laura moved.
She caught Caroline's wrist and forced it away from Elena.
The blade fell.
Elena dropped to the floor.
A passenger rushed forward to help restrain Marcus.
Caroline struggled.
Laura held her against the galley wall.
"Don't move."
Caroline began crying.
"You don't understand."
Laura looked into her eyes.
"Then explain."
Caroline shook her head.
"He has my son."
Laura's grip loosened slightly.
"What?"
"Halden has my little boy."
Laura stared.
May you like
Caroline's voice broke.
"He said if I didn't help him, I'd never see my son again."
