Shadow Tyrants (Oregon Files 13)

“Right. But don’t worry. The Chairman’s got the most important element on his side.”

“Guns?”

“I was thinking of surprise,” MacD said with a grin. “But guns are a definite plus.”

The A380 thundered down the runway and took off. A minute later, it disappeared into the clouds over the Mediterranean.

FORTY-NINE

EN ROUTE TO MUMBAI

Eddie was seated next to Linc in the rear of the A380 in what looked like either an entertainment room or a torture chamber. Given their current predicament, maybe it was both.

Each of them had his wrists strapped to a leather chair, but their legs were free. All of the chairs faced the front of the room, which was on the top level of the plane, and it looked like there was a roll-down screen hidden in the ceiling. There was a door leading to the forward part of the plane and a spiral staircase behind them. The walls were covered with antique weapons from many different ages and cultures. Eddie recognized scimitars from Persia, throwing stars from Japan, and a hunga munga from Africa, which looked liked a bladed ampersand.

Taylor was somewhere else with Lionel Gupta, obviously another captive. Two beefy guards stood at the front of the room, their weapons holstered. If Eddie could draw them close, he and Linc might be able to take them by surprise.

“Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone?” Eddie said to them. “My friend is shy around strangers.”

The guards didn’t even look at him.

“Maybe they didn’t hear you,” Linc said.

“I am a quiet guy.” This time, Eddie yelled. “I said we’re very introverted! Can we please have some privacy!”

No response.

“I know what it is,” Linc said. “They don’t speak English.”

“Or they’re wearing earbuds that we can’t see and are rocking out to the latest Justin Bieber album.”

Linc nodded approvingly. “That definitely sounds like their type of music.”

That got a glance from one of them, but no movement.

“Nice collection,” Eddie said to Linc as he looked around at the weapons mounted on the fuselage.

“Lots of pointy, sharp things.”

“Very intimidating,” Eddie said with a yawn.

“Since they can’t hear or understand us,” Linc said, “we should probably start planning how we’re going to kill them.”

“Good idea. I call dibs on the hunga munga.”

“Oh, man!” Linc complained with an exaggerated whine. “That’s the one I wanted.”

“Listen, we can share. There are plenty of guys to kill for both of us.”

The guard on the left looked like he’d had enough of their banter. He started walking toward them with his fists clenched when Taylor appeared in the open doorway and said, “Enough with the childish baiting.”

The guard stepped back.

She entered holding a folded plastic sheet under her arm.

“We missed you,” Linc said.

“I’m sure you did.”