Chapter 3

Fred is on time the next morning in front of the guesthouse. They talk for a while on the drive to the airport about this and that. As if casually, Steve asks, "Is there actually the possibility of renting a helicopter or a Cessna here? I find the area around here totally interesting and would love to take a look at it all from above." "Do you have your license with you? Then I'll give them another number right away. Marc Dubois. He does sightseeing flights, but also rents out to hobby pilots." "Great, thank you." Then they arrived at the airfield. Fred hands him his hand and the car keys as a farewell. "Oh, I see, in case they do leave early? You're welcome to leave the car key here at Air Traffic Control if you do." "All right. Thanks again, and have a good flight."

Steve turns the jeep around and drives off the airfield again.

"Danny?" "Yeah?" "Where are you with your thoughts?" "Sorry, Chin. Steve's off on his own again. I promised myself I wouldn't worry again. But it's just not working out."

Chin nods. "I'm afraid, knowing Steve, quite rightly." "Oh, damn." Danny pulls out his cell phone and dials Steve's number. As you might expect, it lands right on the box. He hangs up. If he speaks anything to the box now, it won't be anything friendly. Chin looks at him questioningly. "Just the box."

The sun bangs down relentlessly from the sky, what a heat. His shirt is already sticking uncomfortably to his upper body. Steve takes the direct route to Marc Dubois' small private airfield.

His cell phone switched itself off due to the heat to save the battery. Good that he still took the satellite phone with him. He has already called Marc and he has promised him a helicopter. A sightseeing flight has been canceled this morning at short notice and he has a helicopter free.

As he drives onto the site, a helicopter packed with tourists is just taking off. He parks the Willys next to the other vehicles at the hangar and gets out.

A young man somewhat the same age as Fred approaches him. "Steve McGarrett?" "Yes, that's right." "Pleased to meet you. Marc Dubois. Do you have your papers with you?" Steve nods.

"Then please follow me to the office."

Marc enters the hangar. Directly on the right, a small area is separated in which Marc now disappears. Somehow Steve doesn't quite like the fact that he has to go the official way here, but he has no other choice. After he has filled out and signed everything, Marc accompanies him to one of the helicopters on the tarmac.

He gives him a short briefing and tells him the most beautiful spots that he should definitely fly over. He thanks Marc and boards the helicopter. It takes off without any problems. Steve takes off and soon he can't see the airfield anymore.

When he is far enough away, he lands briefly. Steve positions his cameras and connects them to the laptop, which he places on the other seat. Then he takes off again. First he flies the course Marc recommended to him. Distantly, he can even spot one of the tourist flights in between.

He continues to fly to the sights mentioned and then, as if by chance, flies over the position of the hijacker's hideout that was mentioned in Catherine's file.

During the overflight he takes as many pictures as possible, he has only this one chance, as soon as he flies over the place a second time he attracts attention. He also takes pictures in the wider surroundings. The more he knows about the circumstances the better he can prepare. He then lands once again in nowhere and dismantles the cameras again and stows everything in his backpack.

Then he does a few more laps and flies back to the airfield. After enthusiastically telling Marc about his flight, he gets back into Fred's jeep and drives back to the guesthouse.

The heat has reached its peak by now and he desperately needs a shower and something to drink.

Then he sits at his laptop again and superimposes the images from the various cameras. He seems to be lucky. At least the thermal imaging camera shows him an area in a former stable of the ranch three heat signatures of people. Now he can only hope they are Catherine and Sara and the other agent. He looks at the facility's security. By being on the edge of the reservation, not many guards are needed. But they are tactically well positioned.

It's not going to be easy to get in. Unless...