Chapter Thirteen

"A Fiery Serpent"

We both stood at the edge of the bridge, frustrated and forced to watch our prey escape. Something had to be done and fast! I wasn't about to let that monster get away, although there were few options. I could head to the nearest exit or take my chances and jump.

"I'm going after him," I told Quinn with youthful determination.

I knew he wanted to capture Scheid even more than I did, especially after the man's confession.

"By the time you reach the exit, that plane will be on the runway," Quinn informed me of a consideration I'd already gone over in my mind and rejected.

I had another idea and gazed down at the cement below.

"That's at least a ten-foot drop," Quinn advised after guessing my intention. "You'll probably injure yourself and then you'll be of no use to me."

I quickly studied the distance myself. "More like eight," I replied, and without giving him an opportunity to argue further, I jumped, landing in a crouched position onto the hard surface below. Quinn, however, wasn't so lucky. I wasn't sure he'd attempt the leap, but he landed next to me. I heard a popping sound and then a loud grunt.

"Go on!" he shouted in a pained voice.

I had no choice but to leave him behind and ran at top speed across the tarmac. The plane was still taxiing and I figured if I ran straight across, I could meet it before it started gaining speed for takeoff.

As soon as the pilot turned the plane onto the runway, I fired my revolver. I wasn't all that sure where to aim and made a quick assumption that the engine had to be in the belly. I shot twice and missed, hitting the wing instead. It appeared as if a Higher Power was helping me out today because some type of dark liquid started spewing out of the bullet holes I'd created. I fired again in the same spot, though nothing happened and the plane was beginning to pick up speed. Soon, it would be out of range, take to the skies, and Scheid would be free.

I stopped running, held my breath, and took more careful aim, firing slightly ahead of the vehicle to adjust for its movement and missed. This time, the bullet must've grazed off the hull, because it caused sparks to shoot out and back. Call it fate or divine intervention, the reaction ignited the fluid leak and in rapid succession, engulfed the entire wing in flame.

Instead of gaining speed and taking off, the pilot was forced to reduce speed and eventually brake. By that time, however, the fire had spread and an enormous explosion occurred, which knocked me off my feet.

My ears were ringing, but I sat on the runway and watched the scene. I didn't think Scheid would make it out alive but was profoundly sorry the pilot might not either. I had every intention of sitting there to make sure of it until the sound of sirens pierced the air and rescue vehicles headed toward the burning plane. Soon, I heard footsteps approaching and finally stood to greet my mentor.

"You all right?" I asked, concerned about the obvious limp he was demonstrating. Most likely, he had sprained or perhaps even had broken his ankle.

"That was a helluva shot," Quinn told me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I wasn't sure if the touch was congratulatory or if he merely needed the physical support; not that I cared. He could lean on me all day. All I wanted to know was if Scheid was alive or dead. I wasn't going to move and would watch that plane turn to ash just to make sure. The fact that my bullet hit where I hadn't intended was information I'd take to my grave.

"Do you think he'll make it out alive?" I had to ask while the firefighters attacked the blaze.

"I highly doubt it, but we'll wait around to be certain. Considering the atrocities he was responsible for during the war, death is an easy way out for him."

What I knew about the war was very little compared to Quinn. He'd been there and witnessed things that would give me nightmares. I'd heard a few tragic stories from him as well as older relatives, but it wasn't the same as seeing the carnage with your own eyes. I couldn't imagine what he was feeling right now. I was pleased we'd stopped Scheid, but felt horrible that the pilot would most likely perish along with him.

"Do you think anyone else was on that plane?" Guilt compelled me to ask. When we'd stopped Scheid at the gate, the waiting passengers had fled, although I didn't want to make any false assumptions. Was stopping one awful man worth killing innocent others? I wasn't sure.

"You mustn't regret what you did, Ben," Quinn consoled me, adding a fatherly squeeze to my shoulder. "Scheid had to be stopped. There's no telling what he and his comrades had up their sleeves. As soon as we get back to the office, I'll call a friend in Washington to inform him of the situation."

Good. Let the FBI take over from here. As far as I was concerned, I was finished with Fredierich Scheid.

It took nearly two hours for the rescue team to put out the blaze and search the remains of the plane. For the duration of those two hours, Quinn and I observed their heroic efforts. Only after we witnessed just two scorched bodies being removed from the wreckage did I relax and we begin the slow walk back into the terminal, assisting Quinn as best I could. About halfway there, Chief Dunn intercepted us.

"Come by the office and make a statement," he told us. It wasn't a request. "I'm curious to learn exactly what happened here."

"Of course," Quinn replied. "Allow me to tell you right now that one of those bodies is Steven Alpati: who claimed he was a Nazi named Scheid."

"General Fredierich Scheid?"

"One and the same," Quinn confirmed.

"Damn," Dunn responded. "You mean to tell me he's been right under our nose this entire time?"

"It appears so."

"He was the one who murdered Sadie Boone," I added. "As well as put that bullet in my back."

Rarely did Chief Dunn ever complement our agency on the work we did. Sometimes, I got the feeling he thought we were interfering instead of helping out with an investigation. For whatever reason, today he seemed pleased, although I doubted he'd admit it.

"You two can go home. We'll handle things from here," he responded instead.

"I'd like a confirmation of identity as soon as possible," Quinn requested.

Chief Dunn smiled and nodded. It was a tiny grin that disappeared with the same speed of its appearance, but it still counted. "Of course."

I was satisfied for the time being and couldn't wait to get back and let Ami know what had happened.