Triple Threat - James Patterson Page 0,33

like a hawk. Which is harder than you might think. The endless snow and ice reflect the midday sun brighter than a million mirrors. If a feral animal or two—or ten—came charging toward us, sure, I’d probably spot them in time. But would I be able to see well enough in the glare to aim and fire?

I pray I don’t have to find out.

Before long I do spot something looming. It’s bluish-gray. And enormous.

It’s the C-12 Huron transport plane—its dual propellers still spinning—sent by the Air Force to take us home.

We finally reach it as its rear stairs are hydraulically lowered. I gesture for Chloe and Eli to board first. I take one final glance around, say a silent good-bye to this icy hell, then climb in after them.

“IDs and boarding passes, please?”

One of the two pilots, a surprisingly youngish woman with a megawatt grin, is turned around in her seat to face us. Chloe and I smile back, filled with relief and glad to discover our saviors have a sense of humor.

“Shoot,” I say, patting my pockets. “I think I left my wallet in my other subzero bodysuit.”

“I’m Major Schiff,” the captain says, grinning. “This is First Lieutenant Kimmel. Sit down, strap in, and let’s get you guys out of here.”

There are only about a dozen plush leather seats in the plane, which we have all to ourselves. Eli picks one by the window. Chloe sits next to him, and I beside her.

Within seconds, the plane’s engines come alive and we’re speeding down the bumpy, potholed runway. As we lift off into the sky, I close my eyes for just a moment…

When I hear Eli shriek at the top of his lungs.

“Look, look!” He’s pointing out the window. A flock of birds—looks like a mix of gulls and ducks and even owls—has suddenly appeared on the horizon, flying right at us. They can’t touch a speeding jet, and we leave the squawking mass of feathers in our atmospheric dust.

I reach over and take Chloe’s hand. It’s clammy. And trembling.

I realize mine is, too.

Chapter 5

The plane’s cabin is pitch-black. We’ve been flying for hours. Eli and Chloe are snoring softly, both sleeping like babies.

Me? Not even close.

I’m exhausted but haven’t caught a wink. My first stop, before returning to the United States, is London. There I’ll attend an international summit to discuss new global responses to the animal attacks with representatives from around the world.

My mind’s been on overdrive pretty much since wheels-up. That world we’re returning to after all this time—what does it look like? The government’s promise to treat HAC as a scientific crisis, not a military one—how will that actually play out? And what is my role in it all?

The lights inside the cabin come on. Major Schiff turns to face me.

“Time to stow those tray tables. We’re about to land.”

Now my heart rate really starts to rise. Not because of the summit in London.

No, I’m getting nervous because we’re not landing in London right now.

And my wife has no idea yet.

Chloe rubs her eyes and sits up in her seat. She gives me a groggy smile and glances out the window—when her expression instantly turns to shock. Then anger.

“Oz…? Where are we?”

She asks rhetorically, of course. We’ve just flown past the Eiffel Tower.

“Chloe, look, I’m sorry. If I’d told you the truth—”

“I never would have agreed to it, you’re absolutely right!”

“Listen, I can explain—”

“No, let me,” she fires back. “While you jet off to London for the conference, then to God-knows-where-else around the world, Eli and I will be staying here. In Paris. With my parents. Because in your head you’ve convinced yourself that’s safer!”

Chloe knows me too well. That was my plan to a T. I’d arranged it secretly with Dr. Freitas of the Department of Energy. And it did sound good in my head. But hearing my wife repeat it back to me, I can’t help but wonder if I’ve done the right thing.

“If there was any way we could stay together,” I say, “any way at all, you know I’d choose that in a heartbeat. But be real, Chloe. Let’s say they send me to the Amazon. Or Mount Kilimanjaro. Or the Antarctic. Are those any places to take a four-year-old?”

Chloe just rolls her beautiful eyes.

I want to tell her we’ll talk every day, no matter where in the world I am. I want her to know that every second I’m not working on solving the animal crisis, I’ll be thinking about her