The police arrived at the Estate just as the last two terrorists were being bound by the islanders. The police took over and arrested all the terrorists, sweeping the grounds to ensure they had all of them in custody. They then embarked on a barrage of questioning but Donald insisted that his family had been through enough and that they needed some time to catch their breath. The Police Chief, who had attended the scene himself, ordered his men out of the Main House immediately.
“OK, now tell us what really happened,” said Donald gently as he turned to Tom and Lela.
Tom and Lela explained almost everything. They explained how they’d involved their friends and the islanders to pull off the rescue. They explained in detail how amazing the islanders had been, apprehending over 200 terrorists, without firing a shot, in less than five minutes. They explained how Tom had realised what it had all been about and after telling Lela, how she had insisted they help the schools as well as rescue their parents. They explained how Papa had tweaked the plan, insisting he only needed five minutes in each school. They explained how the islanders, even those currently serving with the British Army, had come together from across the world to help. One call from Papa and they all converged on Masirah without delay. Tom, of course, had provided assistance with travel arrangements. They explained the role of the children whose fathers were in charge of electric grids in each of the locations and had ensured the power was cut and more importantly stayed off for the full five minutes. They explained the role of Zach and all of the military children from across the world in supplying the scramjet and huge amounts of equipment. They explained the mail requests that had travelled across the internet to the children of various Special Forces personnel to make emergency calls at exactly 3.30 a.m. GMT and to keep their parents hugely concerned for a full five minutes.
Tom and Lela went on to recount many more stories about how they had brought everything together and made the rescue such a huge success. The one thing they omitted to mention was the flying part and the ‘borrowing’ of the A380. They would break that one to them gently, later.
“Unbelievable! So they never had you at all!” Donald exclaimed.
“Are you kidding! With Kano and Kisho looking after us, not a chance!” replied Tom.
“I knew they wouldn’t let us down, I just couldn’t work it out,” said Saki feeling vindicated.
“The one thing I don’t know though, is who is behind it all,” said Tom.
“I know, I just don’t see that oaf being behind it all,” said Donald as he looked over to the bloodstained carpet where Reaper had lain.
“He wasn’t,” said Saki quietly.
“So who was?” asked Donald eagerly.
“The same man from fourteen years ago, the same man who murdered Tylanni,” said Saki with venom.
“For God sake Saki, who?” Donald could barely contain himself.
“I don’t know and believe it or not neither did the oaf. Trust me, he would have told me if he did,” said Saki and nobody doubted him. Saki did not think it was the time nor the place to mention that he had been given three names of who it could be. He would speak to Donald later. Everyone had had enough terror for one day.
The TV interrupted the conversation with news of a breaking story.
“Oh God what now,” said Rachel wearily.
“Breaking news just in. Air France have just released a press statement that one of their A380s, the largest passenger plane ever built, has ben stolen. It was last seen in Johannesburg yesterday evening and was being prepared for a return trip to Paris today. Rather embarrassingly for Air France, when the passengers arrived the plane was gone. Well,” added the newscaster “it’s not everyday the world’s largest plane just disappears into thin air.”
Donald did not hesitate for a second. Tom and Lela had just come from Johannesburg.
“TOM, LELA, did you forget to tell me something?” he asked with a smile.
Tom and Lela explained everything.
“YOU WHAT??!!” Donald, Saki and Rachel exclaimed. Although Donald saw the funnier side sooner than the others, Rachel was not certain that she would ever see the funnier side of her only son flying a huge prototype plane half way across the world at the age of thirteen.
“I think I need to make some phone calls,” said Donald.
Some hours later and just in time for his signing at noon, Donald had phoned what felt like hundreds of households around the world expressing his sincere gratitude and congratulating parents for the courage and ingenuity of their children. He had called the Air France Chief Execuitve first and was fairly certain he had ‘saved the life’ of Tom’s friend, Benoit, who had helped ‘borrow’ the A380.
McDonald, Murray
Kidnap (The Billionaire Series)