Queen Victoria's Revenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

were still alive. Skyjacking, kidnap and possibly murder—what fine people they were. As soon as the ship had leveled a bit Tony took off his safety belt and bent to touch the girl’s forehead. It was warm enough and a pulse there throbbed nicely. Unconscious but not dead, with an ugly welt that vanished back under her hairline. There were four seats across here in the center section, and with the arms lifted up they made a comfortable couch. With some effort he picked the girl up and put her on the seats. While he was wondering what to do next her eyes opened and she looked at him blankly.
    â€œPlease,” he said. “Don’t shout or anything. All the other stewardesses are out of the plane—they must have missed you with all the excitement. We’re airborne now.”
    â€œWho are you? Where are we going?” Quieter now, her English was almost perfect, with only a slight accent.
    â€œTony Hawkin, FBI. I brought the money aboard and have been skyjacked as well. And I have no idea where we are going.”
    â€œPraise Allah the others are safe, though I am of course sorry for you, Mr. Hawkin.”
    â€œTony.”
    â€œTony. I am Jasmin Sotiraki and I am senior in charge…”
    â€œÂ¡Mira eso!” “¿Que tenemos aqui?” “¡Oye, Ramon!”
    The skyjackers were stirring about. The one called Jorge was standing in the aisle, gaping, calling out to one Ramon, who, it appeared, was their leader. He appeared, like a bad omen, almost instantly. He glared down at Jasmin, who sat up in the seat and exchanged glare for glare. The scratches on his face had been painted with Merthiolate and had clotted nicely. He was very angry.
    â€œDile a esta puta que si causa una molestia o si habre la boca, la mataré. Dile.”
    â€œLook, Jasmin, this man is very angry. And he has absolute control. He says he will kill you if you do anything, even say anything, and I assure you he means it. Please.”
    â€œI will be all right,” she said. Never taking her eyes away from the other’s. He grunted—then reached out and slapped her wickedly. Her head rocked with the blow and inadvertent tears sprang to her eyes. But she said nothing, biting her lip, the red print of his hand clear on her skin. Ramon grunted again, then turned and went away.
    â€œI will kill him,” she whispered in Tony’s ear. “One day I will kill him, but I will make no trouble now.”
    â€œThat’s nice,” he said, and resisted the temptation to pat her hand, feeling, with some justification, that she was not the kind of girl who would like her hand patted at the moment. “Would you like a drink of water?”
    â€œNo thank you, I am fine.”
    â€œPerhaps a drink from the bar?” Hopefully.
    â€œThere is no bar. This is a Moslem airplane on the way to Mecca, there is no profanity of alcoholic beverage aboard other than that possessed by these canaille.” So much for hope of profane beverage. He sighed inwardly.
    â€œThey seem to be well enough stocked with the stuff—as well as weapons. How did they get all this hardware aboard?”
    â€œI am sure I have no idea. Look, there is the copilot out from the flight deck. Attend him quickly, he may know our destination.”
    Tony attended him as quickly as he could without drawing unwelcome attention from the gunmen and managed to intercept Tubby as he opened the rest room door.
    â€œWhat’s happened? Where are we going?”
    â€œYou don’t mind, do you? It’s been a long time between trips.”
    â€œCan’t it wait a moment more?”
    The copilot sighed. “Yes, I suppose it has to. We’re off and on the way to Brussels, Belgium, if that is any help to you. And now, if you don’t mind.” The door closed with a positive click.
    â€œBrussels?” Jasmin said. “Mon Dieu —why there? The Beige will arrest them instantly. I thought