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34 |Stockholm Arlanda Airport Stockholm, Sweden
Acton took a seat in the main terminal, Laura beside him, a cart full of their luggage from the hotel in front of them. A handoff had been made within moments of arriving, their passports and tickets delivered to them by a Middle Eastern-looking man, along with their luggage. Everything had been thought of, as if the Saudis were too experienced at this.
It was disconcerting, to say the least.
He checked the ticket, the destination providing mixed feelings. “Dubai.” He held it up for Laura to see.
“Really? I wasn’t expecting that.”
He nodded. “Neither was I. I would have thought Riyadh, but maybe they’re trying to make it look like they’re not involved.”
Laura frowned. “It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump to Saudi Arabia from Dubai. When we land, they could just load us in a car and we’re heading down the highway to the Kingdom.”
Acton sighed. She was right. This wasn’t exactly good news, though it did buy them time. He had to assume Reading was on the case, and if he was, then Kane was as well. If the CIA were involved, and they could very well be because he was an American being manipulated by a foreign power, then they could be watching them right now.
And they’d absolutely notice them catching a flight to Dubai using their own passports.
He frowned.
And so might the Swedes.
“We better get a move on. That girl at the university recognized me. It’s only a matter of time before we’re flagged.” He looked up at the ceiling, spotting one of the security domes hiding the cameras. And made a point of staring at it for several moments as they headed to the check-in counter.
“How long do you think we have?”
“Before our names are on every cop’s lips? Not long.”
“Then we better hurry.”
They checked their luggage without incident, though they were admonished for showing up so late for their flight, Acton giving the excuse of a lemon rental, all forgiven when he mentioned the sportscar’s notorious British brand.
As they headed for security, Acton cursed, fishing the ring out of his pocket and removing it from the plastic sample bag as surreptitiously as possible. He slipped it on his pinky finger, disposing of the bag in a nearby trash can.
Laura winked at him. “You look like a mobster.”
“I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
Laura snickered at his horrendous Don Corleone impression. “Don’t make me laugh, it’ll just draw attention to us.”
Acton spun the ring on his finger, his mind racing. If they were arrested here, then the ring would be confiscated, and his friend could die. Though if they made it on the flight, and out of Sweden, there was no way they wouldn’t be arrested upon arrival with the same result.
“We’re not going to make it.”
Laura looked at him. “What do you mean? Onto the flight?”
“We might make it out of Sweden, but there’s no way we’re not getting arrested at the other end.”
Laura squeezed his hand. “Let’s just hope they’ve thought of that.”
“Let’s hope.” His eyes roamed the terminal as they headed for security, then settled on one of the myriad of retail offerings. “I’ve got an idea.”