Donald had hardly slept all night. For the first time in weeks, the deal was not what had kept him awake. He could not stop watching the hostage scenes around the world and concluded that his deal was responsible for the atrocities. He could imagine exactly what each of the parents were going through as he was in the same situation. Rachel had taken some sleeping pills. The bruise on her face from the earlier slap was still growing and the pain had been intense. She had refused to take the sleeping pills at first and then only agreed when Donald had promised to do likewise. He had pretended to swallow his but spat them out when Rachel was not looking.
Donald spent the night trying to work out what he could do. He knew that the minute he pulled out of the IBC deal, some horrific accident would ensure that none of the family would live to disclose the real reason for pulling out. Although Rachel had not realised that, Donald knew that Saki had and was absolutely certain that Tom would have. Donald had over 4,000 children on his conscience but could not help focussing on only two, Tom and Lela.
Saki was in the room next door. He had slept little, although knowing what was to come on Monday at noon, he knew he needed to be alert and had power napped as much as his brain would allow. His two babies were in danger and he was not there to protect them. That was his job and he had failed. The reports from Kano and Kisho should have alerted him sooner that something was wrong but neither he nor Donald had picked up on the signals when reading through the reports. However, one thing did pray on his mind. How had anybody managed to get Tom and Lela away from the twins? They were the best. He could not believe that they had failed him. Nonetheless, Donald had heard Tom on the phone and at the gate. It just did not make sense.
Donald knocked on Saki’s door and entered.
“How are you doing, Saki?”
“Not good, you?”
“Same.”
“Donald, I just can’t get it out of my head. I can’t believe the twins would let us down. Are you sure they have the kids?”
“Yes. I wish I was wrong but he had Tom on the phone and let me speak to him very briefly. I keep replaying the moment in my mind but all I come up with is that they must have them.”
Saki looked at the TV feed.
“Still no demands from the kidnappers. That’s very strange, it’s been over two days now.”
“I know. It’s all linked. They don’t care about anything but the deal,” said Donald. “It’s all I can think about. Four thousand children in danger because of me.” Donald became tearful.
“No! Four thousand children in danger because of them, not you!” Saki was adamant. “This is not your fault, you’ve done nothing wrong and don’t forget that!”
“I know you’re right but I can’t help thinking ‘what if…,’” said Donald. “Anyway I need to finish the final drafts by this evening. I better get on with it and check in with the anal retentive.”
Donald was referring to Mark who was driving him mad, checking every alteration in case there was some hidden code in the way he had crossed something out or had added a word.
Reaper’s phone rang. It was the client.
“What’s the latest?”
“They boarded the flight at 5.00 p.m. in South Africa. There was a half hour delay and so they’re due to land at 3.00 a.m. They should be here by 4.00 a.m. which gives us plenty of time.”
“How do you know they definitely boarded, if you’ve got nobody on the ground?”
“My communications man dialled into the airline’s system and checked, firstly that they’d checked in and secondly that they’d boarded. That kid has some system in his room.”
“OK and how’s Kennedy progressing with the deal?”
“Fine, our guy says they’ll be finished by tonight and he’s been extremely well behaved.”
“Watch him. He’s a very clever man and knows what’s going to happen. He won’t go down without a fight.”
“Don’t worry, he’s not prepared to lose his son,” replied Reaper confidently.
“Do not underestimate him.” The phone went dead, no goodbyes, no pleasantries.