After reading the note, tears were streaming down Rox's face as she opened the attachment and read the love poem that Ca.s.s had so eloquently read to her over the phone the day before. Sitting back in her chair, she looked inward, and for the first time, really a.n.a.lyzed how she felt about the dark haired beauty. Closing her eyes, she tried very hard to imagine what a future would be like with, and without her. She quickly came to the realization that she simply saw no future without Ca.s.s. Every imaginable scenario included the tall pilot. Thoughts of a future without her caused intense pain and heartache.

Opening her eyes, she raised her hands to her mouth and stared at the computer screen. "Oh my G.o.d!" she exclaimed. "I'm in love with her! I love her!" Feeling very light headed and giddy, she dialed Nikki's number and promptly got the answering machine.

"Hi! No - this isn't Nikki this is a machine ... don't you hate that? Jerri and I are probably gone or asleep. Leave a message after the beep, and we'll get back to you! If it's an emergency, page me at 555-351-7100! Ta Ta For Now!" came the mechanical message.

"Nikki! I love her! I love her! I can't believe it, but I'm in love with her! Call me!" Rox said into the receiver before hanging up.

Moments later, the phone rang. It was Jerri, returning Rox's call. Rox was still sitting there, staring unseeingly at the computer screen.

"h.e.l.lo?" Rox answered.

"Hey Rox ... I just listened to your message. Congratulations, girlfriend! It's about time you realize where your heart has been for the past several weeks. I'm really happy for you, my friend," Jerri said happiliy.

"Jer?" Rox asked. "I'm sorry, did the phone wake you up?"

"No. I was just getting out of the shower. I'm scheduled to work the noon to midnight shift, so I was up already. So Rox, what's the next step?" Jerri prompted.

"The next step?" Rox asked, still a little dazed at her self realization.

"Yeah - you know ... Ca.s.s, I love you ... I want to spend the rest of my life with you ... you know - that kind of thing," Jerri said.

Rox's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "G.o.d, Jer - I haven't thought that far ahead yet. Geesh ... help me out here - what DO I do next?" she asked seriously.

Jerri stood there, holding the receiver to one ear and towel drying her dark hair with the other hand. "Well ... you can start by calling her and letting her know. I'm sure she'd be thrilled with the news," Jerri suggested.

"Oh my G.o.d! How do I do that? Do I just blurt it out? s.h.i.t!" Rox exclaimed.

"s.h.i.t? No, s.h.i.tting would NOT be a good way," Jerri teased. "Look Rox, just call her. Call her right now. No sense in waiting."

"I can't -- she's on a flight to Mexico until tomorrow," Rox replied.

"Okay, then you've got an entire day and a half to think of an approach. Call Nikki tonight and run it by her ... she'll be home by 5:00 p.m.," Jerri suggested.

"All right -- I'll do that. Thanks, Jer," Rox said before hanging up.

After several more moments of staring at the computer in a comatose state, she realized that her story was no further along than it was when she turned the computer on nearly an hour earlier. Snapping herself out of her trance, she logged off the Internet, opened her word processor and began to write.

Three hours later, Rox was startled by the sound of the telephone on the desk beside her computer. She was so absorbed in her new book that she had managed to tune out low volume external sounds, however, the sharp ring of the telephone refused to be ignored. Reaching for the receiver, she greeted the caller.

"h.e.l.lo?" she said.

"Rox!" came the excited voice at the other end of the line. "Oh my G.o.d, Rox! I just heard the news!"

"Nikki?" Rox asked. "I see Jerri has been talking to you. Got any advice for me?"

"Yeah -- dump her -- NOW!" Nikki said vehemently.

"What??!!" Rox exclaimed. "Nikki ... how can you suggest that? I've just realized I'm in love with her!"

"Roxanne Ward, you don't need this kind of complication in your life! You can't be in love with her -- she's no good for you!" Nikki insisted.

"Nikki ...." Rox began.

"No Rox! Do you want to be running from the police all of your life? You can't do this!" Nikki begged.

Silence.

"Rox?" Nikki asked.

Regaining her senses, Rox lifted the receiver to her ear once more. "Nikki, what the h.e.l.l are you talking about?" she asked.

More silence.

"Nikki! Talk to me!" Rox demanded.

"You don't know, do you?" Nikki asked.

"Know what? Nikki, I'm really getting p.i.s.sed at you. d.a.m.n it! Talk to me!" Rox insisted.

"I was watching the TV in the nurses lounge and there was a news flash about a plane being hijacked. Rox -- it was Ca.s.s' plane, and according to the report, there's a chance that she's in on the hijacking," Nikki said.

Rox dropped the phone into her lap and sat back in the chair, her eyes bulging in disbelief.

"Roxanne, pick up the G.o.d dammed phone!" came Nikki's voice from the receiver in Rox's lap.

Rox reached down a lifted the receiver to her ear. "Nikki ... it can't be true. Ca.s.s wouldn't...."

"Wouldn't she, Rox? What do you really know about her? You were the one who was worried that she was an Internet whacko ... maybe you were right," Nikki suggested.

"No Nikki .... no -- I don't believe it. Nikki, I'm calling the airline. What channel did you say that report was on?" Rox asked.

"Channel 3 ... it was a news flash. They've been giving updates every half hour or so. Rox, I'm leaving work early today and coming straight to your house, okay? I don't want you to be alone. Jerri won't be home until about 1:00 a.m., so I'd be going home to an empty house anyway. I should be there in a couple of hours. Don't leave, okay?" she asked.

"All right, Nik ... I'll be here. And Nik ... thanks," Rox said.

"Honey, you know I only want your happiness. Maybe together we can understand this mess. Okay? I'll be there soon. Bye," came the reply as Nikki hung up the phone.

"Bye Nik," Rox said, placing the receiving back in the cradle. Looking at the work she had completed that morning on her book, she suddenly realized that all she had accomplished was for naught if she lost Ca.s.s. Oh my G.o.d, she said to herself. I may never get the chance to tell her I love her. With that, she dropped her face into her hands and began to cry.

Rox was sitting on the living room couch glued to the television when Nikki arrived two hours later. She sat there on the edge of the couch, her body stiff with tension, a handkerchief wrinkled with worry and damp with tears. Nikki immediately went to her friend and enveloped her in a hug, allowing Rox to release some of the tension and to lean on her for support as they watched the latest update together.

"And now, a late breaking update on this morning's hijacking of flight 7231 from San Jose, California to Durango, Mexico," the newscaster started as the ladies' attention remained riveted to the set. "When the news first broke of the hijacking, it was believed that pilot Ca.s.sidy Conway was a key partic.i.p.ant in the event. The ident.i.ty of the other hijacker is unconfirmed at this time, however, it is believed to be that of Jason Hayer, and acquaintance of the pilot. The plane landed in San Diego, California, shortly after 9:30 a.m. this morning under the pretense of faulty controls, and immediately proceeded to unload all pa.s.senger and crew members except the pilot, co-pilot and Mr. Hayer. Before take off, the co-pilot, Brian Anderson was unloaded from the plane by Captain Conway herself, and handed over to the grounds crew. Mr. Anderson had been shot in the leg with a mid-range caliber pistol. The plane then proceeded to take off again with Captain Conway at the controls. Suspicion was cast on Captain Conway when the second hijacker referred to her as "his partner".

"Nikki ... this can't be happening! Ca.s.s wouldn't DO that!" Rox whined as the news report continued.

"Since our report this morning, new news has come to light in an interview with co-pilot Brian Anderson. During the interview, Mr. Anderson indicated that Captain Conway was NOT a willing partic.i.p.ant, and that she was blackmailed into cooperating with the gunman in order to save the lives of the pa.s.sengers and crew," the reported stated.

Rox repeated tapped Nikki on the arm excitedly while pointing to the TV with her other hand. "See! See! I told you she wouldn't do that!" she said in a highly pitched voice.

"Shhhhh!" Nikki replied as she tried to listen to the rest of the report.

"The FAA is still treating Captain Conway's partic.i.p.ation in this event as suspicious, however probable doubt has been cast on the nature of her involvement. The destination of the aircraft is unknown at this time, however, it is believed to have been heading toward Colombia. A brief investigation into Mr. Hayer's recent activities have uncovered potential involvement with Colombian drug lord, Carlos Santonio. More on this story as it becomes available," finished the newscaster before signing off.

Nikki pointed the remote control at the TV and shut if off, then threw it on the coffee table in front of the couch. Looking at Rox, she voiced her concerns.

"Well? What do you think?" she asked.

"I don't think she did it, Nik. Brian is probably right. He was there. He should know," Rox replied. Rising to her feet, she started pacing back and forth in front of the couch. "Christ, Nik... she's stuck on a plane with an armed mad man," she said, her arms flailing all around her.

Nikki also rose to her feet and stopped her friend in mid-stride. Wrapping her arms around the red head, she pulled her in close and tried to comfort her. "I sure hope you're right, Rox. I guess we need to give her the benefit of the doubt for now."

"Nikki, what are we going to do?" Rox asked desperately.

"Well, right now, we're going to wait and see what develops. What else CAN we do? We don't even know for sure where they're heading," Nikki reasoned.

Rox just nodded and let herself fall heavily back onto the couch. Grabbing the remote, she turned the television back on and began channel surfing to stay on top of any late breaking news. Nikki just stood there, watching her friend ... her heart breaking for the red head, and her mind screaming desperately for Ca.s.s' innocence and safety.

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

ONCE THE PLANE was at cruising alt.i.tude, Ca.s.s looked over at Jason and grinned. "We did it!" she exclaimed, raising her hand for a 'high-five', which Jason happily supplied.

"You were great, Ca.s.s!" he shouted. "Wow! Talk about a narrow escape! Our names will go down in the history books ... right next to Bonnie and Clyde's," he bragged.

Ca.s.s groaned as she thought of being immortalized in print next to Jason for future generations to see.

"You know, Ca.s.s," he continued, "we might want to consider skipping the country after we complete the shipment. I mean, we're gonna be branded as fugitives, and it might not be safe to reenter the US," he explained.

Ca.s.s pretended to contemplate the suggestion. Over my dead body! Enforcer piped in. "You might be right there, Jay ... We should give it some serious thought. By the way ... what exactly is in that shipment?" she asked.

Jason looked around as though there was someone else on board that might hear him. Then, in hushed tones, he said, "Drugs."

Holy s.h.i.t! Ca.s.sidy Conway ... you turn this plane around right now! I WILL NOT be involved in any drug deals! Enforcer demanded.

"Uhhmmm ... that's what I thought," Ca.s.s said calmly.

Look Ca.s.s ... you're already in big trouble for stealing this plane ... don't make it worse by becoming involved in drug dealing. s.h.i.t woman! Where is your head? Do you really think that s.e.xy red head in Maine is going to want you with a criminal record? Do you really think she'll wait for you while you do time in the big house? Enforcer tried to make her see reason.

Ca.s.s felt a pang of sadness run through her as Enforcer reminded her of what she had to lose. If things didn't work out the way she planned, she would definitely lose Rox ... of that, she was very sure, but she couldn't let Jason, nor the Colombian drug lords succeed.

The rest of the flight went smoothly. Jason spent most of the time outlining his plans for Ca.s.s, including who his contacts were and what time he was to meet with them. Ca.s.s pointedly ignored the radio calls that constantly came across, the wires in an attempt to pinpoint their exact location. As they approached the Bogota public airport, Jason gave her new course coordinates to follow.

"What are these?" she asked, confused.

"The coordinates for the landing strip we're going to use for the pick up," he said.

"Landing strip? Jason ... where exactly IS this landing strip?" she asked suspiciously.

"Ah ... In the middle of the jungle ... but don't worry -- it's been cleared off real good," he said encouragingly.

"Cleared off? d.a.m.n it Jason! Just how big is this landing strip? This is a fairly good size plane ... we need lots of run way to land and take off!" she exclaimed.

"Well ... I don't know! 1500 feet? 2000 feet? How am I supposed to know?" he whined.

"Look, a.s.shole," she said, grabbing the front of his shirt. "I'm in no mood to crash land another plane, you got that?" she said firmly. "If the 'landing strip' isn't long enough, I'm heading back to the public airport," she insisted.

Jason pushed her back and pulled out his gun. Holding it to her head, he threatened her once more. "You'll land this plane where I tell you to land it ... understand? If we damage the plane too much to fly it out, we'll buy another one -- heaven knows we'll have enough money to," he reasoned.

"And if I refuse?" she asked stubbornly.

"Then I put a bullet in that pretty little head of yours as soon as we're on the ground," he replied.

Ca.s.s sneered at him then looked at the new coordinates, resetting the plane's course in that direction. She was suddenly regretting her decision to become involved in this mess. Don't even say it E! she warned her alter ego., What? 'I told you so?' Nope ... not me ... I'd NEVER say that ... even though you sorely deserve it! Enforcer replied as the plane started it's descent into the jungle terrain.

Within moments, the landing strip came into view. "Oh my G.o.d!" Ca.s.s exclaimed. "You expect me to land the plane on THAT!?" she said, pointing to the roughly cleared out strip of jungle below. It looked just barely long enough, but the surface roughness was sure to cause some damage to the landing gear if she wasn't careful.

Jason looked through the windshield and silently admitted to himself that Ca.s.s was right ... it wasn't the most ideal place to land a plane -- but, it was too late to argue about it now. Gulping loudly and tightening his seat belt, he smiled rea.s.suringly at Ca.s.s. "Sure ... you can do it, Ca.s.s. You're a good pilot. After all, you crash landed that plane in San Diego without losing even one pa.s.senger!" he pointed out.

"THAT was on a paved runway!" she reminded him as she lowered the landing gear and prepared for a rough landing.

Moments later, the wheels touched down on the rough surface and the plane shuddered down the strip as Ca.s.s completely reversed the engine thrust in an effort to slow the craft down before running out of s.p.a.ce to stop. Jason hung on for dear life as his head bobbed up and down with every b.u.mp and divot the plane traveled across. Finally, within 100 feet of the trees at the end of the strip, the plane came to a stop. Jason made a sign of the cross in thanks for the rough, but safe landing before turning to Ca.s.s.

"Wow! I KNEW you could do it!" he exclaimed happily, reaching out to shake Ca.s.s' hand. "I knew you'd be the perfect choice for this job!" he added.

Ca.s.s looked at him through narrow eyes. "Just how long have you known you were going to do this, Jason?" she asked curiously.

"To be honest? Before you crash landed that plane. I chose you because you seemed like an easy in ... and because you seemed so calm and composed all the time. I thought you'd do well under pressure. Then, when you crash landed that plane... well, that sealed it for me!" he explained.

Ca.s.s shook her head from side to side, irked that she had been such an easy target. "Well, what now?" she asked as she freed herself from her seat belt.

"Our ride should be waiting for us in the trees. We meet with them, they take us to the compound, and we carry out the deal. As soon as the shipment arrives, we load it onto the plane, refuel, and head out," he answered.

"... As soon at it arrives? Do you mean we could be here for a few days?" she asked. "What if they spot the plane from the air?"

"Got it covered. You see, my business a.s.sociates have hired some locals to cover the plane with foliage as soon as we disembark," he told her as he ushered her ahead of him out of the c.o.c.kpit.

Opening the door, they were immediately greeted by natives, who provided a crude ramp for them to walk down from the plane. Several others were dragging large branches and vines toward the plane to carry out the camouflage plan.

As they reached the bottom of the ramp, Ca.s.s glanced over her shoulder to ask Jason where they would be staying while they were there. As she turned, she felt a sharp object come down on the back of her head, knocking her out cold.

"You, my dear, will be staying in a cell!" Jason said as he stood over her unconscious form.