The Last Hostage (55 page)

The FBI Director was shaking his head in wonder. "I heard that none of the passengers would press for prosecution."

"Not one. It's amazing. Some of those same people who are probably going to sue the hell out of AirBridge for mental anguish and reckless endangerment wrote passionate letters for leniency. But with Wolfe determined to plead guilty to any charges, it really came down to the decision of the U.S. Attorney in Denver."

"And the bottom line there?"

"This morning Wolfe pled guilty to assault and weapons charges worth up to twenty years, and sentencing is next week. Of course, he's already received the ultimate punishment for a pilot. He'll never fly again. The FAA jerked his license immediately, and there's no chance he'll ever get it back."

"Quite a tragedy, Kat." He looked up and slapped the file folder bearing her name. "Okay. Now, what do we do about you?"

"Director, I--"

Once again he held up his hand to silence her. "Kat, some of the good old boys around here are pretty steamed at you, but mostly for stealing the spotlight." He smiled and pointed to the folder. "In fact, your superiors here solemnly recommended that you be fired for insubordination, or at least suspended, demoted, and retrained."

She nodded glumly. "I expected that."

"But the President won't stand for it, and frankly, neither will I."

"So..."

"So, while I need a blood oath from you that you'll at least try to abide by the rules in the future, I also need more people around here like you. who refuse to limit their thinking in a crisis, and who can make good decisions under fire."

Federal District Court, Denver, Colorado One week later.

"Mr. Wolfe, would you rise, please?"

The voice of the occupant of the ornate bench rumbled through the packed courtroom, and Ken Wolfe suppressed a shudder as he moved the chair back several inches and got to his feet.

The judge adjusted his reading glasses and peered over the top of a paper in his hand. "Mr. Wolfe, you have entered a plea of guilty to the charges in the indictment, and you waived a reading of that indictment.

Is this correct?"

"Yes, your honor." Ken felt his stomach fluttering, which was a surprise. He had been numb for weeks. There had been no reason to fear the sentencing. He would spend the rest of his life in prison, whether one run by the federal government, or the one in his own mind. What difference could it make?

Yet, he felt his middle contorting with apprehension.

"Very well. Mr. Wolfe, this court has the responsibility to impose appropriate penalties for violations of our laws. You have readily admitted to the charges filed by the United States Attorney, and these are serious crimes, but I am also fully aware of the details through the exhaustive, and I might add, very compassionate presentencing report presented to this court by the government. I am also fully aware that you have lost your profession as a pilot, and that loss is, of necessity, permanent."

The judge paused and looked Ken Wolfe in the eye.

"So, Mr. Wolfe, this court finds that you should be confined to a psychiatric facility for six months of treatment, and pending a favorable report from that therapy, I am imposing a sentence of ten years.. which I will probate."

The judge removed his glasses and sighed. "Captain, your conduct cannot be condoned, but I'm convinced that you are of no further risk to this society, and you have already lost far more than this court could ever take from you. Provided you live up to the letter of the restrictions I will place on you, you may remain free of incarceration."

Ken Wolfe nodded and tried to speak, his face wet with tears he was embarrassed to shed. His voice would not come at first, but he managed a modified croak, his eyes closed.

"Thank you, your honor."

The judge adjourned the session, then stood and left the bench, startling his bailiff by turning away from the door to his chambers and walking, instead, to the defense table where Ken was standing with his attorney, his eyes still closed. The judge put a large hand on Ken Wolfe's shoulder.

"Captain?"

Ken opened his eyes with a start and looked at the judge. "Sir?"

"I read what that FBI agent said to you in the airplane. She said that your little girl would not have wanted you to give up. She was right, Captain. Through their pleas for leniency, your fellow citizens have given you another chance to contribute something more in her name. Don't drown that opportunity in self-pity. There's a sick world out there that needs all the help it can get."

With a final squeeze of his hand on Ken's shoulder, the judge turned and walked away.

The End

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