The Humanitarian - Thriller

Jack parked his car right outside the airport runway.  The night at this hour combined with heavy down poor almost made Jack drive past his meeting point.  He couldn't afford to miss it.  Down the side of the runway stood a shady silhouette that Jack wouldn't have been able to see if it weren’t for the puffs of smoke sporadically shaping around what appeared to be an Umbrella.

    Jack pulled his wallet out, opening it to the single picture inside.  He focused on the photo as his eyes filled up and his heart sunk to the pit of his stomach.  He wondered if the photo was the last time she was able to climb onto his shoulders.  It seemed so long ago, and in this moment more than ever, he longed for one more day on the playground. 

Jack pulled a folded piece of paper out of the wallet, “The red fox flies at night.” Jack read off the paper.  He stuck the wallet back into his coat pocket, swallowing deep hoping his heart would jump back where it belonged.  He got out of the car, lifting the high ends of his coat to cover his head as he made his way down the airport runway.

    Jack followed the trail of smoke. As the distance closed, the silhouette’s shape turned out to be a man.  “The red fox flies at night.”  Jack was now drenched as he recited the words to the man. The man dragged from his cigarette.  He took his time to exhale making sure to hold his umbrella firmly over his own head.  

“Dr. Reywas.”  The man introduced himself by shaking Jacks hand.

    The Doctor handed Jack a collapsible umbrella, exhaling thick smoke in his direction.  He was tall and clean shaven.  Jack thought to himself  the Doctor couldn’t be more than a few years older than he was.

“Our agreement still stands.  The funds have been wired but their availability will remain on hold until your end of the bargain is fulfilled.  People have a tendency to change their mind.”  The Doctor explained.

“Have you made many of these deals?”  Jack asked, tucking his hands into his pocket in an attempt to hide the fact he had begun to tremble.

“Depends on your definition of many.  For most one of these deals would be considered many.  As a matter of fact, I would like to thank you for your cooperation.  And make no mistake of it, I see you as a business associate.”  The Doctor assured him, throwing down the butt of his cigarette.

“I also want to thank you.”  Jack cleared his throat hoping to summon some courage. “Despite the circumstances of our agreement, I know my daughter will live a better life.”  

“Clarissa’s life will be changed forever.”

    Jack cocked his head.  His eyes grew twice in size.  “How do you know her name?”  He asked, feeling his heart shoot back into his stomach.

The Doctor locked eyes with Jack and took a step toward him.  “I know Clarissa.  I understand the trouble she’s in.  Nobody finds me, unless they need me.”  The Doctor kept his eyes locked on Jacks.  He leaned into his words as he spoke, “Now.  I know you’ve answered before, but it is imperative you answer the following questions truthfully.”  Jack could feel the Doctor’s stare shrinking him smaller and smaller the longer their eyes locked.  “Does anyone, including Clarissa, know about the details of our agreement?”  Jack straightened himself out, “No.”  He responded as confidently as he could muster.

    As if the pilot was awaiting Jack’s answer, the Doctors private plane began down the runway where the two men were.  

The Doctor released Jack from his glaze and gave his attention to his plane.  “Many parent’s care for their children Jack.  Many are supportive.  Many provide.  And even more love their children to an extent, they themselves cannot put into words.  But few can differentiate hyperbole from reality when they say; I would do anything for my child.  Clarissa’s troubles of today will be gone tomorrow.  But you again are a business associate now.  Not a captive.  It is imperative that you aboard my plane on your own accord.”  The Doctor began to head toward the lowered airstair.  “If you still wish to proceed with our arrangement, I welcome you aboard.”  Jack watched the Doctor make his way onto the airstair.  The drops of rain that fell on his shoulders each felt heavier and heavier.  He began to walk after him.

As they made their way into the plane, Jack wondered at what time Clarissa would awake to find his letter.  He sat down on what was the most spacious set up he’d ever seen for a flight and in front of him was a hot serving of pan fried fish filet.

“How long will the flight be?”  Jack asked the Dr without lifting his eyes from the plate in front of him.

“Our flight will be six hours.  When we arrive my help will have prepared a hearty brunch.  The afternoon will be yours.  Feel free to explore the courtyard, I have beautiful free range horses.  You may spend the day in the theatre or really anywhere on the property.  It is imperative to me that you enjoy all of your final hours.  At three or so you will be called upon to… prepare, if you will, for dinner.”  Dr. Reywas made himself comfortable in the back of the plane, swirling around a glass of scotch.

Jack's eyes welled as he pushed around the red skinned potatoes on his plate. He examined the fish filet in front of him.  He stared at the crisped skin.  Golden and flaky.  He had eaten similar meals many times before, but he could hardly eat the fish.  For the first time he empathized with his meal.   He wondered if the fish on his plate had been caught, or had he volunteered to sacrifice himself.  Maybe he had a daughter too.