"Nance, John J. - The Last Hostage" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nance John J)

David opened the cockpit door and slipped past Annette Baxter, who was
on her way in. She turned and watched the copilot momentarily as he
paused in the front entryway to put on his hat, then disappeared down
the stairs, a pained expression covering his face.

Strange, she thought. He was probably just reacting to the tension of
the moment. After all, having a planeload of passengers angry and ready
to strangle you could be a pretty good tension builder.

She turned and entered the cockpit.

"So, exalted leader of the pack, what's the plan?" she asked. "I can
report that the natives are staying in their seats just as you
commanded."

"Feed and water them, Annette." His voice was firm and steady, devoid of
emotion. "Keep them as happy as possible while our copilot scares up
maintenance. There's a good chance this is all a false alarm and we can
continue on."

Annette cocked her head. "Really? After an engine shutdown?"

"Only if it was a false indication."

She smiled at him. "If you do decide to go on, I assume you'll explain
it to our nervous passengers."

Ken Wolfe turned slightly in his seat to look at her. "How nervous are
they?"

"Sounds like an Ed McMahon line."

He looked lost. Annette began gesturing in the general direction of
Hollywood. "You know, the Carson show? A few years back? Johnny would
say, like, 'It's cold,' and Ed would say: 'How cold is it?'"

For a few seconds, Ken regarded her in stony silence, then shook his
head. "Of course. I'm sorry, Annette, I'm a little distracted."

"Understood," she replied.

He turned to look out the side window, his voice bouncing off the glass
as he reached around the center pedestal for the P.A. handset. "I think
I'll talk to them now."

Annette nodded and backed out as Ken slowly raised the microphone to his
mouth and closed his eyes, carefully considering his words before
punching the button.