Page 85 of Trust No One

“Yeah. Bastard was slick. Never touched his gun. Just curled his arm around Mel’s waist like he was supporting her, then shoved the needle into her arm. They were behind the pillar, so the gate agent didn’t see that part,” Dev said through clenched teeth.

“I heard Kingsley telling the agent that Mel was a nervous flyer. That she’d self-medicated with a couple of drinks at an airport bar. Said she wasn’t drunk. Just a little unsteady on her feet.” His breath hissed out. “I want to rip Kingsley apart.”

Dev took a deep breath, trying to settle himself. He’d be no help to Mel with this anger raging through him. “Couldn’t use my gun to stop Kingsley. Too many civilians.” He grabbed Gideon’s shoulder. “You call the Feebies?”

“Yeah. They should be here soon.”

“Thank God they haven’t let anyone else on that plane. I’m gonna talk to the gate agent. Tell them to move the people here to another gate. Announce there’s been a last minute change of planes or some shit like that.”

“Yeah,” Gideon said. “Get these people out of here.”

Dev hurried toward the gate agent, who was on the phone. When she spotted him heading her way, she hung up the phone. Straightened. “Can I help you?”

Dev jerked his head toward the plane. “The woman that guy practically carried onto the plane? That’s my partner. He’s kidnapping her. What are you doing about that?”

“Someone called the police. FBI, too, and they’re on their way.” The woman swallowed hard. “Our orders are not to do anything until they arrive.”

“Good. But you need to get these people out of the area. Move them to another gate. Tell them this plane needs a new part and you’re waiting for it. Or whatever excuse sounds plausible. Just get them away from here.”

“I was just about to do that,” the woman said.

Dev took a deep breath. Blew it out. He was too intense. Too hot. But, God! Mel was in trouble. And that bastard Kingsley had been enjoying every minute of it. “Look,” he said. “Sorry I came on so strong. But that woman is everything… is very important to me. And that guy? He’s dangerous.” He took a step back. Another. “Go ahead and make your announcement.”

He retreated to where Gideon stood, leaning against the window. When he reached Gideon, the other man grabbed his shoulder. Squeezed hard. “We’ll get her off that plane,” he said. “Safely. I heard them say they were waiting for the FBI. I say the hell with that. Let’s put our heads together and figure out a plan.”

Dev nodded. Slipped his hand into his pocket and touched the small square of paper that was always in his pocket. Drew a deep breath. “Yeah. Let’s figure out how to get Mel off that plane. And get Kingsley into custody.”

* * *

Kingsley gripped her upper arm, his fingers painfully tight. When they reached the cabin, the flight attendant stared at them but didn’t say a word. Kingsley pushed Mel ahead of him and into the second to last row of first class seats. “You’re in the window seat because I don’t trust you, Melbourne. Don’t want you bolting and making a run for it.”

Was Cliff out of his mind? She couldn’t make a run for it. The best she’d be able to do was stumble off the plane. Fall down in the jetway.

Mel gripped the armrests and lowered herself into the seat. Her head pounded and the plane seemed to be spinning. Slumping against the back of the seat, she closed her eyes. It would be so easy to fall asleep.

No. She forced her eyes open. She couldn’t do that. She had to be awake. Alert, or at least conscious. When Dev and Gideon made their move, and she knew they would, she needed to be able to help, even if it was only by distracting Kingsley.

The drug rushing through her veins made it hard to think. But she grabbed onto her meager plan. Distract Kingsley. Keep his attention away from Dev or whoever showed up to stop him.

Shaking her head slightly, trying to clear the cobwebs, she worked hard to focus on the tip of Kingsley’s shoe. What could she do to stop him?

She could do squat. The drug he’d injected into her made it feel as if her head was stuffed with cotton balls instead of a brain.

She needed water. Maybe if she drank enough water, it would flush the drug out of her body. So she turned her head carefully toward Kingsley. “I need some water, Cliff,” she said. “My mouth is so dry.”

“That’s the drug,” he said with a smirk.

“So get me some water. Ask that flight att… attendant.”

He stared at her for a long moment, then shrugged. “Guess water won’t hurt anything.” He leaned out of his seat. “My wife needs some water,” he said. “Do you have any bottles?”

Mel heard the woman clearing her throat. “Um, yeah. I can get you a bottle of water.”

Footsteps faded, and a few minutes later she came back with a large bottle. Handed it to Mel. “Here you go.”

“Thanks,” Mel said, her tongue thick and uncooperative. She was sure she was slurring her words. But at least now she had water.”

She struggled to open the cap, and out of the corner of her eye saw Kingsley watching her. Bastard.

---