Aknin stood at the bottom of the planes’ steps with two rolled up sajadas (prayer rugs) under his arm. He allowed Massi to go ahead of him, then he followed. He stopped briefly in the doorway, looking back toward the building. Labeaux had been gone a long time… too long. But it had been quiet since he left. Perhaps he’d finally taken care of the annoying hostages once and for all.
He joined Massi in the cabin, then carefully and respectfully placed the sajadas in an overhead bin.
“Come, Razzag, sit,” Massi said. “Have some juice with me. We’ll discuss the upcoming event. It will be a glorious day.”
Outside, Grant took slow, careful sidesteps, walking parallel to the building, keeping his body behind Labeaux. His left hand had a firm grasp on the terrorist, while his right held the Uzi. The plane remained his center of attention. He knew Adler was already in position, with an unobstructed view.
Grant stopped. He jerked Labeaux closer. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” Labeaux struggled. Escaping seemed impossible.
Grant shouted: “Massi!”
Both Libyans dropped their glasses. Aknin practically ejected himself from his chair, scrambling to get his Beretta from the counter. In one giant step he was near the door, backing up against the bulkhead. He pulled his dagger from its scabbard.
Massi stooped down, trying to see out the window. Finally, he spotted one, or possibly two men standing near the building. It was too dark to tell exactly how many there were, and no way to tell who they were.
“Aknin,” he whispered. Getting Aknin’s attention, he pointed out the window. “Possibly two men… near the building.”
Grant shoved Labeaux forward. “Labeaux’s here with me, Massi! He has something to tell you!”
Labeaux tried to run but Grant grabbed his arms, yanking him back. “I guess he’s lost his tongue! So, I’ll tell you! He’s fucked over you, Massi! The men and explosives don’t exist! You won’t be getting what he promised you! You can kiss your money good-bye, too!”
Aknin leaned out the door, aiming his Beretta in the direction of the voice.
“Wait!” Massi said, reaching for Aknin’s arm. Aknin lowered his gun.
Massi was beginning to wonder if he should believe this person. If he was being told the truth, the three governments had just lost fifteen million dollars. The plan, and his hiring of this terrorist mastermind, had been his idea, his suggestion. He could be blamed for its failure, and accused of taking the money.
Massi stroked his beard nervously. Why would Labeaux betray them? He never knew of Labeaux turning against any of his ‘employers’ in the past. Then again, maybe it wasn’t about the money after all. Labeaux probably had enough to last more than ten lifetimes.
There was only one reason he could think of. He and the Libyan government were being used by Labeaux for reasons unknown. And now, this person, who sounded to be an American, had taken away any chance for an attack, any chance to get their hands on a nuclear weapon. Massi’s head pounded with such intensity, he expected it to explode. Rage, pure rage raced through his body.
Holding his position — and Labeaux — Grant figured he’d given the Libyan enough time. “Massi!”
Massi pushed a surprised Aknin aside, then leaned toward the open doorway. “I want Labeaux!” he demanded.
A slow, satisfied grin spread across Grant’s face. “Sure! Sure you can have him, as long as you get your asses outta here! Go back to Libya, Massi! Explain to your boss what happened! Explain this to Masrata!”
Grant pushed Labeaux to the ground, face first, keeping a foot on his back. “Come and get him! And, by the way, in case you’re wondering… I didn’t come alone!”
Massi backed up and drew his pistol. He motioned for Aknin to get Labeaux.
Grant held his position over Labeaux as he saw the bulky figure of Razzag Aknin coming down the stairs. A side of Grant’s mouth curved up, watching Aknin looking around, trying to see if there was anyone else he had to worry about.
When Grant saw Aknin step off the last stair, he removed his foot from Labeaux and backed up to the building. He continued aiming the Uzi at the oncoming Libyan. He waited.
Labeaux rolled on the ground, unable to get to his feet. Guttural sounds escaped from his throat as he struggled, his eyes wide with fear and panic. His body bumped into something. Whatever it was… it moved.
Aknin finally stood over Labeaux, but kept staring at the figure near the building. It was too dark for facial recognition. He reached down, noticing something or someone wrapped in a cover of some kind. He looked up again at the American.
Grant said, “Take that package, too. It’s a traveling companion for Labeaux.”
Aknin reached down and jerked Labeaux to his feet. He looked one more time at the American, then bent down, and grabbed a loose section of tarp. He dragged it behind him, as he led Labeaux to the plane.
Grant could only shake his head. “That’s one big son of a bitch!” he said in barely a whisper.
He shouted to Aknin, “Tell Massi I want him out of here now! No waiting until daylight! Any problem with that, I can always call in air support to escort him and you outta here!”
Aknin stopped. Should he take the chance? His confidence in using his dagger and always winning his battles made him pause. He let go of the tarp and shoved Labeaux to the ground. He moved his hand to his dagger.
“Don’t even think it,” Grant said with his voice deep and menacing. The sound of him drawing back the Uzi’s action bolt added more incentive for the Libyan to leave.
Aknin jerked his head left, hearing a distinct sound of another weapon being made ready. Hesitating briefly, he reached for the tarp, and Labeaux, then started walking to the plane. At the bottom of the stairs, he let go of the tarp, then stayed behind Labeaux until they were inside the cabin. Pushing Labeaux to the floor, he went back outside to bring in the “package.”
Massi was standing over Labeaux when Aknin came in with the tarp-wrapped object. He pulled it off his shoulder, dropping it next to Labeaux.
Massi turned his head. “What’s that?”
Aknin shrugged his shoulders. “The American said it was a companion for Labeaux.”
Massi’s eyebrows came together as he questioned the statement. He removed his dagger from the scabbard, knelt down and felt along the tarp. He sliced it open, then stared into the terrified face of Colin Webb, the fool who was working with Labeaux.
“Sir, the American said we must leave now.”
Massi stood slowly. His eyes narrowed. “Now?! He’s ordering us to leave now?! Ordering us?!”
“Yes. He has threatened to call in air support, sir, if we do not.” Aknin waited briefly for a reply, then added, “Sir, I can probably take care of… ”
Massi slipped his dagger into the scabbard, then flopped down on a swivel chair, feeling defeated. “No, Aknin. Prepare for takeoff. I will join you in the cockpit shortly.”
Aknin gave a slight bow, then went to the exit door, looking back at the building. The American was still there, walking toward the plane, but keeping a safe distance. Aknin kept his eyes focused on Grant, as he pulled in the steps. Finally, he sealed the door. He stepped over Labeaux and went to the cockpit.
Massi got out of the chair, then stood close to Labeaux. Looking down at this man, he debated whether to kill him now or take him to Libya. Taking him to Libya seemed the better choice. Perhaps it would be the proof he needed to show the government officials he, and they, had been duped. Explaining all this to the Algerians and Syrians might be much more difficult. He had no doubt they’d be wanting a full refund.
But then, after all, he had “captured” one of the most famous, wanted terrorists in the world. Maybe that would be a way to retrieve the money. Victor Labeaux had a sizable price tag on his head.