Chapter Seven: The Plan

Dom was pacing back and forth across the hanger when String walked in. He knew instantly that something was wrong. "Dom, what's wrong, is Cait alright?"

Worry was written all over Dom's face. "Cait hasn't checked in yet. I should have heard from her by now."

Strings gut tightened. His gut feelings were never wrong. "Did you call her cell phone?"

Dom started pacing again. "Yeah, hers and Doc's. Both goes straight to voice mail. I've left a dozen messages."

The phone in the office rang. String was there before the second ring . "Santini Air." Dom watched as String listened to the person on the other end. "No we haven't heard from them either. Got it . Thank you." He hung up the phone processing what he just heard.

"Well, was that about Cait and Doc?"

String nodded yes. "That was the oranization that Doc works for. She said that no one from the group has checked in with them. She said that was not like Doc. They have strict procedures they have to follow for safety reasons."

Dom was starting to panic inside. "Did she say anything else?"

"Yeah, she said to call if we heard from them and they will do the same." String grabbed his keys and headed for the door. "Are you coming with me?"

Dom grabbed his jacket. " Sure, where are we going?"

String took long fast strides to the door. "To see Michael."

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Cait was still trying to process what had just happened to them. Six hours ago they landed and taxied to the hanger only to be ambushed by eight armed men. Three of them appeared to be American. The other five were Mexican. They ordered them into a small office in the hanger and placed a guard outside. Sam the paramedic in their group tried to ask what was going on. He was met with a punch to his face. Cait went to his aid and was rewarded with a slap that knocked her to the floor and brought tears to her eyes. Doc and Steven,the other doctor traveling with them went to her defense but stopped when several automatic rifles were pointed at them. Doc picked Cait up and helped her into the office. Since then they had not been offered any food or water.

Doc came over and sat down beside Cait. "How are you holding up?" He asked as he gently took her chin and examined the bruise on her check. Not wanting the attention she tried to change the focus off her onto Sam. "Don't worry about me, how is Sam. It looks like his nose may be broken."

"Steven is an emergency room trauma doctor. He's seen worse. He doesn't think his nose is broken. Now back to you young lady, I need to look at your pupils."

Cait batted his hand away. "You checked me an hour ago. I don't have a concussion."

Doc ignored her. "Yes and I will check you again in an hour whether you like it or not."

Cait relented,she decided he was going to check her no matter how much she protested. "Doc, what do you think they want with us?"

Doc put his pen light down. He was going to be honest with her. Cait was smart and trying to lie to her was not going to work. "My guess is they knew we were coming. Because of the poverty here there's not much law enforcement. What better way to deliver drugs then a group of people that are here to help the poor. We can fly anywhere without raising a red flag."

Cait flinched when Doc inspected the bruise. "If that's the case Doc they will probably keep me, Sam and Steven here as hostages to get you to fly for them."

Doc looked concerned. "Cait we can't let them find out you're a pilot. If they do force me to fly you will be here with Sam and Steven. It will be harder for them to assault you if there are others around. I don't want them to get you off alone. Promise me that no matter what they do to me you won't tell them you can fly."

Cait started to object but Doc stopped her. "I know you are a very capable person and can take care of yourself but I'm right in this and you know it."

Cait rolled her eyes. "Doc I don't know what I'll do. But if or when the time comes I promise I won't do anything reckless. What you are asking me to do is take care of myself and not do what is in the best interest of the whole group. I can't do that and you know it."

Doc placed his hand on her knee. "OK let's just agree to disagree. Right now we should get some rest. If we're exhausted we won't be able to think straight." Doc pulled blankets from their supplies that their kidnappers tossed in with them after they inspected them for weapons. He made as comfortable a bed on the floor as he could and motioned for Cait to join him. "It's cold in here. We will be warmer together."

Cait lowered herself next to Doc. It was warmer next to him. She was tired and her head ached from the slap. She wondered what Dom was thinking. She always called him as soon as she and Doc landed. She knew that Dom and String would come looking for them. That fact she was sure of.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"String sit down will ya. That girl at the front desk said he would be in as soon as his meeting ended. You want to fill me in on your plan?"

String rubbed the back of his neck. He was almost afraid to say it out loud. He didn't trust anyone but Michael in this place. " We need the Lady back."

Dom jumped up motioning downward with his hands. "Shh, String keep it down. Have you lost your mind? There is no way the firm is going to hand her back over to us."

"I'm not leaving here without Airwolf."

Just then Michael entered his office. "So the prodigal son returns and he wants his helicopter back. Tell me Hawke, even if the firm agreed why would I hand her back over to you?"

"Michael, Cait's missing."