CHAPTER 4

The younger gunman released the hold that he had on Cassie…throwing her down in front of him.

“Pick em’ up” He told her as he motioned to the two guns that lay in the aisle.

She was on her knees crying as she looked at the two guns and the two dead men that lay near her.  With blood soaked jeans and blood on her hands she picked up the guns by the barrels and handed them up to him slowly…her body trembling.

“Good girl…” He said as he took the guns from her and stuffed them in his jacket pockets. He grabbed her by her hair near the back of her neck and lifted her to her feet.  Then he put the barrel of his own gun between the open part of her shirt in front and ran it up and down between her breasts as she cried.

“If I had more time…we could have some fun.” He whispered to her.

This made her angry enough at him to overcome her fear for a brief moment.

“Dave will kill you if you touch me.” She told him.

He smiled wickedly at her and looked deep into her large brown eyes.  “Let’s find out.” He said.  Then he jerked her around and headed her towards the first class compartment.  As he passed by Castiano he pulled one of the guns from his jacket.  “Keep an eye on them.” He said as he handed it over.

****************

The older gunman held a tight grip on Maureen and told her to knock on the door.  She did what she was told and the Navigator (Jeff Schwartz) began to open it slowly….but was thrown back with such force as the door was shoved
open that he hit his head on the instrument panel and was knocked out cold. Then the gunman rushed into the cockpit as he held the frightened stewardess with the barrel of his gun close to her head.

“There’s going to be a slight change in plans gentlemen.” He said in a commanding voice as Pilot Kent Parker and Co-Pilot Scott Diamond glared at him in disbelief.

“We’ll cooperate…there’s no need to hurt her.” Ken told him.  “Just tell us what you want.”

The gunman looked at the Co-Pilot for a minute and then back at Kent.

“We don’t need him.” He said as he raised the gun without moving his gaze…and fired two blind shots at Scott. Causing him to slide out of his seat and onto the floor.

Maureen let out a scream and fell limp to the floor…cradling Scott’s head in her hand as the blood flowed from his lifeless body.  The gunman then backed up and grabbed a hold of the navigator who was still unconscious and threw
him through the open doorway.

“Head South South-East and find a place to land in Brazil…get on the radio and tell them to give you a clear path…any attempt of a rescue will result in more deaths…and you know I’m not foolin’ around.” He told him.

“I’ll have to apprize them of our situation.” He said.  “But, I won’t give you any trouble.”

*************

Starsky started to follow the gunman into the cockpit when a voice came from behind him.

“You’ll be one dead hero if you take another step.” The younger gunman yelled to him as he held Cassie by the back of the neck…his gun pointed again at her temple.

Hutch looked at Cassie and noticed the blood that covered her jeans and her hands.  Starsky stopped suddenly and raised his hands again to show that he was going to cooperate with him.

“You alright?” Hutch whispered to Cassie with his hands raised. He wasn’t sure if the blood was hers but she didn’t seem to be injured.

She shook her head just a little in response to his question…tears on her face.

“SIT DOWN.” He yelled to Starsky who slowly took the aisle seat in front of him.  Then still holding onto Cassie…the gunman made his way to the front of the first class compartment.

“She belong to you?” He teased as he held her close.

“Don’t hurt her…just take it easy.” Starsky said in a very calm voice.

“Oh I don’t know…she’s a fine little package…what’s the matter…don’t wanna share.” He teased him.

Hutch knew what he was up to. He was trying to make Starsky mad enough to try something so he could blow him away and laugh about it.  He also knew how hot -headed his high strung partner was and how much she meant to him. This little game might very well push him over the edge.

“Why don’t you just leave her out of this…you want a piece of me…put the gun down.” Starsky tried to appeal to his male ego.

“Oh I think I’d rather have a piece of her…if it’s all the same to you.” He teased again…he knew that he was making him angry and he loved it.

The gunman slowly moved his hand in front of Cassie, into her shirt, and onto one of her breasts to fondle her. “She likes it…don’t ya honey.”

Cassie cried as she looked at Starsky…she was frightened and embarrassed and he could see it in her eyes.  He was gonna tear this guy apart in front of her the first chance he got.

Hutch stood up and took a couple steps over to them.  “Hey why don’t we all just calm down…You’ve made your point…now why don’t you just let her go?” He told him trying to draw his attention away from Starsky.

Just then Cassie had an idea…she knew he wouldn’t expect it…and maybe she could get him to drop his guard.

“Sit down Blondie…this doesn’t concern you.” He told him.  But Hutch didn’t sit down…just stepped back and stood there ready…he knew something was about to happen.

Cassie gave Starsky a wink to let him know to get ready…that she was gonna try something. He shook his head no…he didn’t want her to do anything stupid.

“Ya know something…maybe your right…I was beginning to get bored with him anyway.” She said as she turned around to face him. “And you’re much better looking.” Then before he had time to answer her she planted her lips on his and kissed him.

Starsky took the opportunity and lunged forward grabbing the hand with the gun and Hutch grabbed Cassie out of the way with one jerk of her arm.  The two of them wrestled for a few seconds, the gun still in his hand and Starsky trying desperately to keep it pointed in a safe direction.

“GET DOWN…” Hutch told everyone just in case there may be a stray gunshot and he quickly shoved Cassie between two seats and onto the floor.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------