Maggie confided that she was relieved when it finally came our turn to board our flight. She told me she well understood the need for all the security precautions since 9/11, but it also reminded her of all that could go wrong, especially on a flight to the Middle East. Nevertheless, she said she'd made up her mind that the opportunity to visit many of the sites where Jesus had actually walked far outweighed any concerns, and she was determined to trust God to protect us.

I gave her a courtly bow and said to her, "Ladies first."

Josh handed me his flight bag while he picked up Becky and carried her into the aircraft. Becky's eyes were as wide as saucers. This was her first time on an airplane. Our seats were in the center area of the coach section, numbers 27E through H. I stowed our belongings in the overhead bin as the others worked their way in and sat down.

I was on the aisle, with Josh next to me, and Becky next to Josh, while Maggie ended up sitting next to a small man in his mid-twenties. Maggie smiled and said "Hello" to him. I saw him nod, but he said nothing and continued reading his newspaper.

Moments after we had settled in, a flight attendant came down the aisle and stopped at our row. "Mrs. Madison?"

"Yes," Maggie replied.

The young woman smiled and asked if Maggie and the rest of us would mind bringing our things and following her. Completely baffled, we complied.

She led us into the first class section, explaining, "We had quite a few empty first class seats, and whenever possible, we like to give travel agents an upgrade."

What a nice surprise, I thought. She told us to pick any available seats and make ourselves comfortable. What a difference from the coach section!

We chose two seats on either side of the aisle, so each of the children could have a window seat. Josh and I sat to the left, while Maggie and Becky sat on the right.

When the flight attendant saw we were comfortably settled, she said, "Once we're airborne and you've had your dinner, perhaps the children would like to visit the cockpit?"

"We sure would," said Josh, sporting a big grin.

"Okay, I'll take care of it. My name is Dorothy. Please let me know if there's anything you need. Have a pleasant flight."

After Dorothy and another flight attendant presented the safety instructions, the North American Airlines 747 began rolling toward the runway. We sat behind a long line of airplanes waiting for clearance to take off, but before long, we were airborne. I chuckled silently as I watched Maggie relax her death-grip on the armrests. Takeoffs and landings always made her nervous.

Neither Maggie nor I had ever flown first class before, and we were impressed by the luxury and service. Maggie leaned across the aisle. "Look, Joe! Real silverware and china, linen napkins and even complimentary champagne." I clinked Maggie's champagne flute toasting to a "Happy Anniversary." The menu included a choice of lobster tail or filet mignon. For me that was a tough choice, so Dorothy brought me a little of both. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection.

About fifteen minutes after the dinner trays were cleared, Dorothy returned and escorted Josh and Becky to the cockpit.

When they returned, Josh told us all about the dazzling array of gadgets, flashing gizmos, dials and gauges he saw, and that the pilot even let Becky hold the control stick.

Dorothy came by and told us the movie was about to start. Josh quipped, "I must have died and gone to heaven. Isn't this the greatest?"

We put our headsets on and got ready to enjoy the movie. I was very grateful for the leg room and kicked off my loafers as I pressed the button to recline my seat. It felt good to relax. The credits were just coming on the screen and I wondered what movie they'd be showing.

"Joseph," I heard a soft female voice say into my headset. The sounds from the movie were gone. Startled, I turned to Maggie. Her eyes were riveted to the overhead screen.

"Joseph," the voice came again. Suddenly I recognized it and snapped to attention, jamming my loafers back on. I didn't know why, but I felt it would be disrespectful to be shoeless.

"Yes," I whispered.

Josh turned to me, and lifted one earphone. "What, Dad?"

"Oh, uh, nothing Josh. Guess I was talking to myself."

"It's all right, Joseph. Do not speak. Just listen carefully please."

I nodded.

The voice continued, "Please go quickly to one of the restrooms in the coach section."

I wondered silently which one and immediately the voice said, "It does not matter which one."

Unplugging the earphones from the jack but leaving the headset in place, I got up.

"Leave the headset, Joseph. You will still be able to hear me."

Dropping the headset on the seat, I knelt by Maggie and whispered, "Gotta make a pit stop. Be back in a minute."

"Okay, honey," she replied absentmindedly.

I found an empty restroom, went inside and locked the door. First, I checked the mirror, half expecting to see the beautiful lady from my birthday, but nothing was there except my own puzzled reflection.

"Please have a seat for a minute, Joseph."

I looked around. Of course there was only one "seat."

She laughed musically. "You don't need to take your pants down, Joseph. Just sit down." I did as she said while she continued: "Take the note pad and pen from your pocket and write down exactly what I tell you, please. This is very important."

"Okay," I complied.

"There is a bomb on this airplane . . ." the voice began.

"What?" I said loudly.

"Sssshhh, Joseph. Just write, please." She resumed: "There is a bomb on this airplane. It is in the cargo hold. There is a man in seat 27D. He has a device in his left hand jacket pocket that will activate the bomb."

I was scribbling as fast as I could. My heart was pounding and I felt beads of perspiration forming on my brow. She told me to stop writing.

Continuing, she said, "In seat 31J you will find a bald man with a mustache wearing a light blue shirt. This man is a sky marshal. His name is David Dixon. Give him the note and he will take care of it."

Shaking my head, I left the restroom and headed directly for seat 31J. Sure enough, the man fit the description perfectly.

"Excuse me," I said, "are you David Dixon?"

The man looked up. "Yes, I am. Who are you?"

Thrusting the note at him, I said, "That doesn't matter, but this does." Then I looked at the man who had the bombing device and realized he was the one who'd been seated next to Maggie before we moved to the first class section.

David read the note, then stiffened. He stood up immediately and strode to row 27. Quietly David reached across the man on the aisle seat who was dozing, and in one quick movement, David snapped a handcuff on the perpetrator's left arm. At the same time, he reached into the man's left jacket pocket and retrieved a small electronic device.

David pressed the call button for the flight attendant and told her he needed to speak to the captain but couldn't leave his seat. Seconds later, she returned with Captain Isaac Klein, a slender, man of medium height with salt and pepper hair. As the captain came down the aisle, he smiled reassuringly at the passengers, but there was a steely glint in his eyes.

David explained the situation to the captain, handing the electronic device to him for safekeeping. The captain told David to sit tight. He would make a couple phone calls to the authorities, then let him know what course of action they recommended.

By this time, I could see the anxious looks on the passenger's faces and knew the captain would be making an announcement as soon as he got back to the cockpit. I needed to get back to Maggie and the kids and reassure them all was fine.








Continue to Chapter 25


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