Run into Trouble

was, there wasn’t a lot he could do. Melody was in the best position to attempt something, but she had to be careful not to get the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs killed. Casey spoke again.
    “This is how it’s going to play out. Drake’s handcuffs are the ones used by my guards. Fortunately, I have a key to them.” He reached into a pocket with his free hand and extracted it. “Colonel Kilgore,” he indicated the smallest officer in the room, “you are going to take the handcuffs off Drake and put them on the Chairman. If anybody tries anything, the Chairman dies.”
    As this procedure was carried out, Casey explained that he was going to drive the Chairman to the airport. The plane was in a private area, and Casey could drive directly to it. The Chairman would be his passenger on the flight, which was to an unnamed country. If any planes were sent in pursuit of them, the Chairman would die. If they arrived safely, the Chairman would be sent back to the U.S.
    The Chairman finally found his voice. “Don’t worry about me, boys. Just get Casey.”
    Casey jabbed the gun against his head, making him wince. Of course the others wouldn’t do anything to endanger his life. Casey had picked the correct hostage. Melody looked at Drake who now had his hands free. But what could he do? As Casey prepared to leave with the Chairman, he had everybody stand well away from the door and told them not to follow—or else. He had apparently forgotten about her. She was counting on it.
    Melody made a gesture for Drake, indicating that she was going to try something. He gave an almost imperceptible nod and nudged the captain who was standing beside him. The captain saw Melody.
    One of the officers spoke. “We’ll make a deal with you, Casey. Just let the Chairman go.”
    Casey shook his head. “No deals.”
    As he and the Chairman turned around, Melody jerked her head back out of the doorway. Her muscles tensed. What if her actions got the Chairman killed? The Free World would stagger if this happened. But it would be worse if Casey managed to take him out of the country. In addition to the resulting international humiliation, perhaps Casey would decide not to let him return.
    Melody counted the footsteps of the Chairman and Casey as they marched toward the door. They sounded loud on the wooden floor. She tensed her muscles even more. She would have only one chance. The Chairman came through the doorway first, followed by the gun to his head. Melody lunged, her timing almost perfect.
    “Go,” she shouted at the Chairman as she shoved the gun away from his head.
    She tried to grab the gun out of Casey’s hand but failed. His first shot went wild. He shook her loose, and she thought he was going to shoot her, but he had a bigger problem. Drake and the captain had moved when she did and were almost at the doorway. Casey heard the noise of their footsteps and swung around to face them.
    His second shot hit the captain who was leading. He didn’t get a chance to fire a third shot. Drake’s momentum pushed the captain into Casey, and then Drake hit Casey like a Muhammad Ali punch, blasting him onto his back. Casey emitted a solid “ooof” as the wind was knocked out of him. Melody grabbed the gun from Casey’s hand and pointed it at his head.
    Drake sat astride him and spoke grimly. “Artie’s not the only one who played football.”

    CHAPTER 39
    Today’s run ends the race. It goes from Thornton State Beach through San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to the vista point at the north end. Follow Route 35 (Skyline Drive) into San Francisco County. Turn left on Great Highway and follow the coast past the Cliff House. You can improvise going through Lincoln Park (chance for some place changes here). You can take El Camino del Mar out of the park. Follow Lincoln Boulevard to approach the bridge. As you get close to the bridge, you can take Merchant Road to gain access to the bridge. Cross the bridge into Marin County. Enjoy yourselves. It’s been a great race.
    ***
    “It’s too bad you didn’t get a hug from your father.”
    They were running slowly, but they were running.
    “At least he shook my hand and said, ‘Good job.’ He did hug you . So did the Chairman.”
    “Your father said some nice things about you in front of the Chairman. How many fathers do that for their sons? He’ll make a good interim CEO for Giganticorp. I think they elected him because he’s the only honest man of the