Page 41 of Degrees of Control
“Kate, you know I’m not at liberty to say,” he says.
“Chase told Dereck that he should answer all of my questions.”
“Kate, he wanted you to understand the severity of the situation. They’re working as quickly as they can to wrap this up,” he says.
“Do you know what a bunch of bullshit this is?” I state.
Sheldon has the good grace to look embarrassed at my outburst. “At least tell me something,” I urge.
“He’s just not in a position to take a phone call. We’ve got our best men with him and it’ll all be over soon. Why don’t you get comfortable and I’ll let you know as soon as we hear from him. In the meantime, try not to worry, Kate,” he says.
Mikael places a comforting hand on my shoulder and I realize that’s all Sheldon is going to divulge. I walk across the yacht’s living space to the leather sofa that faces the large glass window and lay my head on the arm of the soft couch, pulling the afghan over the top of me. The rolling turquoise sea is mesmerizing, the whitecaps are dancing in the distance and the lull of the gently rocking ship is strangely calming. Sometime later, the sharp crackling sound of the short wave radio startles me.
“Sheldon here,” he says, pausing to listen to the person speaking on the other end.
“Roger that,” he says, disconnecting. “We need to move both of you right now, Kate. I’ve got orders to get you onto that helicopter and back to dry land,” he says, opening the closet in the far corner of the room.
“Is that where Chase is?”
“Kate, put these on and tuck your hair into the hat. We need to protect your identity at all costs,” he says, disregarding my question. He hands me a green flight suit along with a matching cap as he forages in the bottom of the closet for a pair of men’s black boots. These will have to do,” he says, holding up two pairs.
“If you can’t tell me anything else, at least tell me if Chase is okay?”
“I wish I could, Kate. Everything went sideways. Right now, I need to get both of you to a safe spot until we learn more,” he says as I hastily pull the jumpsuit on over my clothing.
“Let’s move, everyone. Kate and Mikael, you need to keep your faces down until we are out of surveillance range. It’s critical no one can trace you back to this ship today,” Sheldon says, as we are shuffled up the stairs, onto the windy deck and into the back of the spacious Augusta. The security men board last and it is hard to keep my eyes averted from the worrying firearms. I try to take in deep breaths and slowly let them out, attempting to reduce the anxiety that threatens to overcome me at the thought that Chase may be injured or worse.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It is a short flight to Oranjestadairport and as the Augusta touches down there is a flurry of activity on the ground around us. I recognize Chase’s security men emerging from the limo and congregating around the helicopter as we get out. “There’s been a change of plans. We’re heading to the states,” Sheldon shouts, trying to permeate the wind and noise of the blades still swirling above us. “Mikael, Chase wants you to stay on the island. We have a car waiting and the driver will see you home,” he says.
Mikael gives me a quick hug. “Stay safe and give Chase my best,” he says. Sheldon takes my arm and guides me toward the large jet on the runway, proudly displaying the Prestian Corporation logo. It is a massive plane, larger than anything we’ve flown in before.
“Where’s Chase, I’m not going without him,” I yell, as we reach the ramp to the plane.
“He had to leave, Kate, but will meet you stateside,” he says, leaving me no recourse but to follow him up the ramp and into the jet surrounded by armed men and ammunition. As we enter the plane there are two rows of recliners with small tables in front of each that holds a computer screen. The security men in front of us take their seats in the cabin’s seats. Sheldon guides me to the living space, closing the door behind him. It is an opulent living area with plush leather couches running parallel to the airplane windows, and recliners that are situated around a small table in the middle of the room.
“Better get buckled up. The pilot will be taking off as quick as he can,” Sheldon says to us.
“What happened, Sheldon? Why isn’t he calling me and where are my parents?” I ask.
“Kate, he’ll explain everything to you once we’re stateside. Your parents are on their way back to the states with Chase. For now, no cell phone communication. Let’s get in the air and then you can get changed and relax. I believe you’ll find some clothes in the back bedroom,” he says.
I eye him broodingly, attempting to suppress the fear that something bad has happened to Chase as the pilot announces our takeoff.Why wouldn’t they have waited for me to fly back to the states with them?As soon as we are in the air, I excuse myself, opening the door to the bedroom in the back of the plane. The master bed is proudly displayed in the center of the room, with a fireplace and sixty-inch television monitor across the room from it, two recliners by the window face each other over a small table and a mini-bar is situated in the corner.
I untie the offending boots, kick them off, and shrug out of the warm disguise before pouring myself a glass of wine and heading toward the shower. I strip out of my sweaty clothes, turning on the water and adjust the temperature before stepping under the refreshing feel of its spray. I reach for the shampoo and notice that all of my brands have been stocked and am unable to hold back the flood of tears. I sob uncontrollably under the gentle rain of the shower until I am emotionally exhausted and have no more tears to shed. A long white robe hangs behind the door and I run a finger over the luxurious material as I get out of the shower.One at every home he owns.I suppress the tears that threaten, wrapping my body in the comforting reminder of Chase before settling into the bed that feels overwhelmingly large and lonely.
I am awakened to the sound of the captain’s voice, surprised that I have even managed to fall asleep. I dress quickly and head into the bathroom to hastily dry the rest of my hair and brush my teeth. Sheldon is in the living room, still working on his computer and looks up as I walk into the room.
“Were you able to rest?” he asks kindly.
“I actually slept for quite a while,” I say, slipping into one of the remaining recliners and buckling my seat belt. “Have we heard anything new?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Sheldon says as the pilot makes a smooth connection with the runway and we zoom down the strip. It takes only a matter of moments to taxi in but the wait seems like an eternity. I stand up as the plane comes to a stop, anxious to see Chase.
Sheldon opens an interior closet door and pulls out a parka. “Here, put this on, it’s cold outside,” he says, as we convene with the security guards before heading toward the ramp. There is a flurry of activity on the tarmac as Sheldon and the security guards usher us from the jet into the awaiting limo.
“Get us to Northwestern hospital as quickly as you can,” Sheldon says to the driver.
