Sea of Fire

Chapter Seventy-Three

"The tower saw the attack on Mr. Herbert," the pilot said to Jelbart. "They've called the police, as you requested."

"Good," Jelbart said. His own headset was off.

"Now they want to know why Mr. Herbert and Mr. Darling are on the tarmac at all," the pilot went on.

"I think that should be obvious," Warrant Officer Jelbart replied. He was watching the two dark figures on the slowly brightening airfield. "They're having a conversation."

"The tower recognizes that," the pilot said. "They want to know why."

"I took my headset off so I didn't have to listen to their spew," he said.

"I understand," the pilot said. "But the controller has already remarked on the number of Commonwealth Department of Transport safety violations this action embraces. This includes the fact that the Cairns airfield is an emergency landing strip for the region. And that is the only runway."

"Tell them this is a bloody emergency," Jelbart replied impatiently.

"Look!" Loh said suddenly. "Darling's going back!"

The urgency in the female naval officer's tone was not matched by the billionaire's slow gait. A moment later, Herbert pointed toward the jet. He began wheeling after Darling.

"Tower, please hold," the pilot said. He turned to Jelbart. "What are we supposed to do?"

"Block him from taking off," Jelbart said.

"No, wait," Loh said. "I don't think that's what Bob wants us to do."

"What are you talking about?" Jelbart said. "That was the plan."

"I know," she said. "But it looks as though Bob is pointing to Darling. Give me a minute. I'm getting out."

"To do what?" Jelbart asked.

"Please, just wait," she said.

FNO Loh opened the door. She ducked from the helicopter and jogged toward Herbert. The roar of the rotors was like the bellowing of the sea. The tang of burning jet fuel permeated the air. It dominated the smell of the ocean blowing in from the east. In all, it was like the familiar sound and smell of the main deck of her patrol boat, a call to arms.

Herbert saw Loh approach. He motioned toward the billionaire, then grabbed his own wrist.

She was right. He wanted Loh to try to stop Darling.

The naval officer turned toward the jet. She was running hard now. Darling had reached the steps and looked back. He saw her and, without expression, climbed into the cabin. She was not going to get there before he shut the door. Still racing, she turned toward the helicopter. She gestured upward and then toward the nose of the Learjet. The pilot obviously understood. The helicopter took off and rapidly overtook her. The pilot circled wide of FNO Loh to keep the prop wash from knocking her down. He stopped about two hundred meters in front of the jet, some twenty meters above the tarmac. The Bell hovered there. The Learjet was not going anywhere. If it started to taxi, the helicopter pilot could stop it by placing a landing strut on the windshield.

Loh passed the cockpit and reached the wide door. It was just forward the wing on the port side. She could hear the door being locked as she arrived. She pounded on it.

"Mr. Darling, come out!" the Singaporean shouted. "You will not be able to take off!"

The combination of the helicopter rotor and jet engines generated a great deal of noise. Loh was not sure he heard her. She stepped away from the aircraft and peered into the cockpit. The sunlight was glinting off the windshield, making it difficult to see. She shielded her eyes. The Singaporean had intended to signal the pilot to let her in.

But that would not be possible.

The cockpit was empty.