Who Is It…This time?

By Kat Fenn

Chapter 4

String tried to settle himself comfortably on the sofa, anticipating a long wait. Cait paced up and down the carpet, a frown marking her face. Her red hair stood on end, testament to her habit of running her fingers through her hair when stressed.

"Sit down, Cait, you're going to wear a hole in the carpet."

Opening her mouth to snap at him, Cait thought the better of it and sat down on the nearest chair. "Surely it can't take Marella THAT long to get from Knightsbridge to the hangar?!"

"Well, why don't you make yourself a cup of tea or something? Or make me one." String tried to keep his voice steady and calm, although he, too, felt like screaming in frustration.

On cue, the phone rang.

String jumped to his feet, as Cait, being closer, scooped up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Cait, it's Dom and Marella. Can both of you hear us?"

Holding the receiver so that String could hear, Cait replied, "Yes, we can, go ahead. What can you tell us?"

"It's not good, Cait. I received a ransom note, by fax, at the office about an hour ago." Marella also fought to keep her voice calm.

"So what do they want, Marella? And how do we know that they actually have Michael?" String broke in.

"Well, they said he was wearing a purple Hawaiian shirt with white flowers, and khaki cargo pants – does that sound about right, Cait?"

Cait sighed as she answered. "Yeah, I'm afraid so. I just bought him that shirt a few hours ago, saying that he needed something suitably Hawaiian for the luau."

"Well then, we're sure that they have Michael. They want us to deliver the schematics and blueprints for Airwolf in two days' time, at a noodle bar in Tokyo. And they want Hawke to deliver it. Then they'll return Michael to us."

"So do we get backup from the Firm, or is it just us?" Cait felt that she just had to ask, even though she knew if the Firm got involved, she would most likely be told to stand by the phone.

"Just us, I'm afraid. I had to wait to see Zeus, and when I got to see him, and showed him the ransom note, he reminded me that Archangel was on personal time, and therefore didn't 'merit' Zebra Squad – not that they could get over there as quickly as, well, you or Hawke or Dom could. But he did give me the go ahead to contact our counterparts in Japan and ask for their assistance." Marella stopped to take a breath.

"Well, I'm definitely going!" said Cait. "I'm going crazy just sitting here!"

"Well, you're not going alone, Cait, so I'll come with you. Dom? Will you stand by with the Lady?"

"Again? Mamma mia, why is it I always get left behind?"

String could hear Marella in the background saying that she would need help doctoring the schematics and that she would take Dom over String any day with computers.

"So it's settled then, everyone? Cait and I will be on our way back to the hangar shortly. Will one of you arrange for us to take the first flight out of LAX to Tokyo?"

"All right, fine," huffed Dom. "At least it gives me something to do."

"Ok, we'll see both of you shortly." Cait disconnected the call and tossed the phone receiver back onto its cradle.

"Alright Cait, I'll head straight to the Jet Ranger and load up yours and Michaels' things, and get the engines started for you. Will you check out of your room? I'll wait for you to take off," said String as he grabbed both duffle bags in one hand, tucked the briefcase containing Michael's satellite phone under his right arm, and picked up Cait's makeup case with his free hand.

Cait met him at the hotel room door, the key in her hand. "Hey, String," she said softly, "Thanks."

Smiling at her, he said, "What are friends for?"

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