Murray McDonald - Kidnap

Tom and Lela went on to recount many more stories about how they had brought everything together and made the rescue such a huge success. The one thing they omitted to mention was the flying part and the ‘borrowing’ of the A380. They would break that one to them gently, later.

“Unbelievable! So they never had you at all!” Donald exclaimed.

“Are you kidding! With Kano and Kisho looking after us, not a chance!” replied Tom.

“I knew they wouldn’t let us down, I just couldn’t work it out,” said Saki feeling vindicated.

“The one thing I don’t know though, is who is behind it all,” said Tom.

“I know, I just don’t see that oaf being behind it all,” said Donald as he looked over to the bloodstained carpet where Reaper had lain.

“He wasn’t,” said Saki quietly.

“So who was?” asked Donald eagerly.

“The same man from fourteen years ago, the same man who murdered Tylanni,” said Saki with venom.

“For God sake Saki, who?” Donald could barely contain himself.

“I don’t know and believe it or not neither did the oaf. Trust me, he would have told me if he did,” said Saki and nobody doubted him. Saki did not think it was the time nor the place to mention that he had been given three names of who it could be. He would speak to Donald later. Everyone had had enough terror for one day.

The TV interrupted the conversation with news of a breaking story.

“Oh God what now,” said Rachel wearily.

“Breaking news just in. Air France have just released a press statement that one of their A380s, the largest passenger plane ever built, has ben stolen. It was last seen in Johannesburg yesterday evening and was being prepared for a return trip to Paris today. Rather embarrassingly for Air France, when the passengers arrived the plane was gone. Well,” added the newscaster “it’s not everyday the world’s largest plane just disappears into thin air.”

Donald did not hesitate for a second. Tom and Lela had just come from Johannesburg.

“TOM, LELA, did you forget to tell me something?” he asked with a smile.

Tom and Lela explained everything.

“YOU WHAT??!!” Donald, Saki and Rachel exclaimed. Although Donald saw the funnier side sooner than the others, Rachel was not certain that she would ever see the funnier side of her only son flying a huge prototype plane half way across the world at the age of thirteen.

“I think I need to make some phone calls,” said Donald.

Some hours later and just in time for his signing at noon, Donald had phoned what felt like hundreds of households around the world expressing his sincere gratitude and congratulating parents for the courage and ingenuity of their children. He had called the Air France Chief Execuitve first and was fairly certain he had ‘saved the life’ of Tom’s friend, Benoit, who had helped ‘borrow’ the A380.

McDonald, Murray

Kidnap (The Billionaire Series)

At 12.01 p.m. and under a blaze of flashes, the largest business deal in history was finalised. Donald Kennedy was now officially the richest man in the world and the head of the largest corporation. Champagne corks flew and the events of a mere eight hours ago were almost forgotten.

The authorities were no further forward in understanding how the terrorists had been caught and a few of the investigating officers cast a gaze skyward in an attempt to understand what had happened.

Donald had just returned to his office when the phone rang. Donald answered.

“Donald, Sam Mitcham here, congratulations!”

“Thanks, Sam.”

“I’m so sorry to hear what happened. Mr Sakamoto has just filled me in on what he knows and a few of my former army colleagues have given me a bit more info. Are you guys OK?”

“Yes thanks, we’re all fine now. Frankly, it was terrifying but we’re all safe and that’s the main thing.”

“So what really happened?” asked Sam.

Donald had known Sam Mitcham for many years and considered him one of the most honourable men alive and the most trustworthy. He therefore told him everything Tom and Lela had told him.

“My God! The kids did all that on their own? Behind all their parents’ backs?”

“Yes Sir,” replied Donald with pride.

“Amazing. I think we’d better watch our backs Donald, these young ones will be taking charge before we know it.”

“We might be too late. From what went on today, they do a much better job than we do.”

“I think you may be right there Donald,” pondered Sam. As they said their goodbyes, Donald’s other line flashed. He switched over to it.

“Hello, Donald Kennedy here.”

“Hi Donald, I’ve just heard what happened to you and your family and I wanted to pass on my concerns and of course, I’m delighted that everyone is OK.” It was an old business competitor of Donald’s. He had been a major competitor until fourteen years ago when his business had gone bankrupt after failing to win a tender against Donald. Donald had been surprised when the failure to secure the tender had led to the collapse of the man’s company. However, he was back on his feet again and had rebuilt a strong business while also carving out a political career for himself. He was proud to have tendered the highest bid for the IBC deal but the Directors of IBC had rejected it with derision. They had and would never deal with a man of such questionable ethics and morals. They simply did not trust him, however important he thought he was.

“Thank you, it has, as you can imagine been a very upsetting ordeal.”

“I can only imagine, my thoughts are with you all. So are they any closer to knowing what happened?”

“Let’s just say whoever they are, certainly underestimated the power of our children.”

“What!? Children caught the terrorists?”

“Well, not exactly. They had some help from friends of mine who would prefer to remain anonymous.”

“I’m sure you’ll tell me all about it someday, oh and congratulations on the IBC deal.” The man hung up, no goodbyes, no pleasantries.

“Thank you Mr President,” said Donald, as the line went dead.