Chapter 423

Alan and Stephano had no problem at their end. They went to the cave, put the boxes into the Range Rover, and drove straight to the airport. The Gulfstream had one engine running, and the cargo bay open. The four lead lined boxes were put in, tied down securely, and the bay was closed. On board the aircraft were the three lawyers, and four of Celeste's guards, and the newlyweds.

When Captain Grison asked why Payne wasn't piloting this flight to Washington, he was told that Dycke and she were going to take a long awaited vacation. They would be here for two weeks. The aircraft was to be taken to Grumman for a maintenance check, and the crew would be given 10 days off with full pay.

No further argument was heard from any member of the crew. They started taxiing out to the runway, when the captain received an urgent call for them to return to the terminal immediately.

When he arrived and lowered the stairs, there were blue lights from police cars everywhere.