The Ark: A Novel Read Free

Hummer limo glided up to a bright blue jet parked at the ramp of the Bob Hope Burbank Airport's executive terminal, Rex Hayden took another swig of Bloody Mary in an attempt to take the edge off his pounding hangover. He'd been up all night partying after the Friday night premiere of his new movie. Now he was paying the price for two girls and three bottles of Cristal. Even with his shades, the morning sun made him wince. Thank God Burbank allowed celebrities like him to bypass all that crap at the security checkpoints.
    Sydney would be the first stop on a grand tour of Asia to promote his latest action blockbuster. His customized Boeing Business Jet didn't have enough fuel to make it all the way to Australia in one shot, so they would have to go out of their way to refuel in Honolulu. But spending more time on the plane wasn't a hardship. He had purchased the modified 737 because it was the most luxurious thing with wings. A private bedroom, full galley, gold fixtures, enough room for his buddies to come along, and two smoking hot flight attendants that he'd selected himself. The plane was a flying hotel. It cost $50 million, but so what? He deserved it. At the age of 30, he was already one of the biggest actors in the world. His last film had made more than a billion dollars worldwide.
    Hayden tossed back the last of his drink and staggered out of the limo, his entourage following. Billy and J-man were on their cell phones, and Fitz handled the luggage. Three more cars pulled up behind carrying the gaggle of people that managed his career: agent, manager, PR person, personal trainer, nutritionist, and a dozen others. Traveling with such a large group made the plane a necessity, and the best part was that his contract required the studio to reimburse him for the operating costs during the trip.
    "Which bags do you want with you on the plane, Rex?" Fitz asked. "Or should they all go in the cargo hold?"
    Hayden didn't need Fitz's stupid questions right now. His hangover threatened to make him sick. He couldn't do that out on the tarmac. Not in front of everyone. Man, he needed some caffeine.
    "Dammit, Fitz, what do I have you around for?" he said. "Maybe my brother was right about you. I'm sick of making every little decision for you. Just get it all on board."
    Fitz nodded quickly, and Hayden saw the fear in his face. Good. Maybe next time he'd grow a pair and do his job.
    "Okay, you heard him," Fitz said to the driver. "And make sure they all get on. Miss one, and you couldn't get a job driving a hearse."
    "Yes, sir," the driver said meekly and started handing suitcases to the airport's baggage handler.
    Hayden climbed the stairs and ordered Mandy, one of the flight attendants, to pour him a coffee. Billy, J-man, and Fitz quietly sat around him while the rest of the passengers took seats in the front section. Hayden sank into one of the lambskin recliners and watched the limo pull away. He pushed the button linking him to the cockpit.
    "George, let's go."
    "Aloha, Mr. Hayden," the pilot said. "Looking forward to the islands?"
    "I'm not getting off the plane in Honolulu," Hayden said, "so just cut that crap. Let's get the hell out of here."
    "Yes, sir."
    Mandy closed the door. The jet's engines spooled up, and the 737 began to taxi toward the runway.
    The caffeine did the trick, and Hayden's headache began to ease. Now that he was feeling better, he let his eyes settle on Mandy. He knew how he was going to use his private bedroom over the next 15 hours.
    * * *
    After exiting the executive terminal parking lot, Dan Cutter stopped the Hummer limo along the side of Sherman Way and threw the driver's hat onto the passenger seat. He got out and popped the hood to make it look like he had engine problems. Then he sat in the driver's seat and flipped on the radio scanner to listen to the control tower communicating with the taxiing 737.
    Getting the bag onto the plane had been even easier than he thought it was going to be. Cutter