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Maddock made a dash for the cabin door and grabbed it just before Phyllis could slam it shut. As they struggled, they began to feel the effects of the gas. Although he held his breath, his sinuses burned, and his eyes began to water.
Phyllis released the door without warning and Maddock stumbled back and tripped over someone lying on the floor. It was Bones.
“You stepped on my hand,” Bones said. His eyes were already glazed from the effects of the gas.
Maddock regained his feet and ran for the cockpit. A rush of air met him. Through the thinning cloud of gas from the grenade, he could see Phyllis cranking open the flight deck side window. She wore a parachute strapped to her back.
As she tried to escape, Maddock grabbed the husky woman by the belt and hauled her back.
“Not so fast,” he said.
Phyllis kicked back, driving her heel into Maddock’s gut. He let out a grunt and lost his grip. It was all the time Phyllis needed. She forced her bulk through the window and was away.
Through the open window, Maddock saw her give him the finger before her parachute opened. Someone behind him coughed and Maddock turned to see Bones peering into the cabin.
“She got away,” Maddock said.
“Right now, I’m more concerned with who is flying the plane.”
The words hit Maddock like a punch. How could he have been so stupid? He glanced at the pilot’s seat. The plane was on an even keel at the moment but losing altitude.
“I can’t believe you never got your pilot’s license,” Bones said.
“Neither did you.”
Just then, Grizzly shoved past Bones and settled into the chair. His eyes and nose were streaming from the effects of the gas.
“I can fly,” he said. “Done it loads of times.” He began flipping switches with practiced ease.
“Are we sure about this?” Spenser called from the cabin.
“He looks like he knows what he’s doing,” Bones said. “Maddock’s going to take the copilot’s seat just in case.”
“That’s not comforting,” Spenser said.
“Thanks for that.” Maddock took his seat and watched the water beneath them getting closer and closer. They were closing in on the island of Oahu.
“We’re losing altitude,” he said.
“I know. I’m just working out how to turn this thing around.” Grizzly said.
“You mean you don’t know?” Maddock’s heart raced.
“I’ve got it narrowed down. I think this is it.”
The next thing Maddock knew, they were plunging downward at a steep angle. They were closing in on a harbor where a familiar monument shone in the sunlight. He recognized it immediately.
“Grizzly, do you know what that is down there?”
“Do me a favor, Maddock. Give me the grand tour after I’ve gotten the plane under control.
Maddock almost laughed. It was the first time the gregarious television presenter had ever snapped at him.
They closed in on the harbor, close enough now that Maddock could see tourists gawking and pointing. A few broke and ran as the small plane closed in on them.
“Pull up! Pull up!” Maddock barked.
“I’m trying.” The plane rolled left, then banked sharply to the right.
“So, that’s what that does,” Grizzly said.
“Are you kidding me? You said you could fly.”
“We’re still in the air, aren’t we?” Grizzly said.
Still losing altitude, he brought the plane about and headed back toward the harbor. They soared over a football stadium, passing inches above the press box.
“Yo, Maddock,” Bones shouted. “I think I just found religion!”
“Grizzly, we need altitude.” Years in the service had drilled into him the ability to remain calm in even the most extreme situations.
“I’ve got a plan. See that thing?” Grizzly pointed to a long, white structure that ran out onto the water. Its concave roof shone like a diamond against the cobalt waters.
“The USS Arizona Memorial?” Maddock didn’t like where this was headed.
“I’m going to do a touch-and-go landing. We’ll springboard right back up into the air.”
Maddock’s mouth was dry. Slowly he turned to look at the television personality.
“What flight training do you have, exactly?”
“Oh, I’m a licensed pilot. Well, I was a licensed pilot, but I haven’t kept my credentials current. But I’ve kept sharp playing video games. Baron of Blood is awesome. It’s an old World War I, first-person shooter game.”
The stark, white memorial filled their field of vision. Tourists screamed and ran..
“Grizzly, are the landing gear even down?” Maddock shouted.
“Oh, good point. Change of plans.” Grizzly turned the control wheel and the airplane banked sharply. They missed the memorial by inches.
Maddock closed his eyes, took a few calming breaths, and resisted the urge to strangle his friend. He waited a full ten seconds before he spoke.
“Why didn’t you do that in the first place?” he said through gritted teeth.
“I really wanted to do the touch-and-go. It would have been epic.”
“I have to agree with him,” Bones shouted.
“Would have made a great video,” Spenser chimed in.
“Nobody asked either of you,” Maddock said.
“Sorry, Dad,” Bones said.
“You’ve got it under control?” he asked Grizzly.
“Absolutely.” Grizzly’s wavy, brown hair bounced as he nodded enthusiastically. “You know what the best part of it is?”
“There’s a best part?” Spenser said.
“If anybody identifies our plane, Isla’s outfit will be blamed for it.”