Category Five by Philip Donlay Read Free Book Online

and tumbled across the runway. Donovan sat helpless. There was no way they were going to miss them.
    â€œI’ve got it!” Michael grabbed the controls and hauled back.
    â€œWe’re only at 100 knots!” Donovan shouted. He knew they needed another 30 knots to get airborne. He tensed and waited for the sensation of the landing gear crashing into the barrels. He could see Michael battle the controls as he yanked the Gulfstream off the ground. The jet responded as it shuddered into the sky. Donovan knew they couldn’t have missed the barrels by more than a few inches. In a heartbeat, the momentary lift was depleted and the
da Vinci
thudded heavily back onto the pavement. Michael released the back-pressure on the controls and struggled to keep the airplane on the runway as they continued to accelerate.
    â€œV1.” Donovan called out the takeoff safety speed. “Rotate!”
    Once again, Michael pulled back on the controls. This time the Gulfstream broke free of the earth and clawed steeply into the turbulent sky.
    â€œGear up.” Michael held on as the airplane slugged its way through the low clouds. “We can’t go straight ahead. I’ve got to start a turn to the northeast.”
    Thrown around in the small cockpit by massive jolts of turbulence, Donovan forced his hand to the gear lever. The rain was deafening as it vaporized on the nose of the jet. He could see Michael trying to counter the heavy wind shear as the airplane climbed into the conflicting rivers of air. Up and down drafts tossed them savagely in the sky. Donovan watched as huge sheets of static electricity blew from the airframe. He took a quick look out the side window. The wing of the G-IV was flexing up and down as they plowed through the storm.
    â€œShould I be talking to anyone?” Donovan turned to Michael, the microphone in his right hand.
    â€œMaybe the man who built these things.” Michael said between clenched teeth.
    Donovan kept his eyes glued to the instruments. Michael had the Gulfstream banked hard, turning as fast as he could. The worst of the weather was quickly falling away behind them. The turbulence began to let up as well as the rain.
    â€œBermuda said to contact New York Oceanic directly,” Michael explained. “The frequency is already set. Surprisingly, seems like we’re the only airplane in the area. Go figure.”
    Donovan made eye contact with Michael, happy the sarcasm had returned. A look of guarded triumph was etched on Michael’s face. Donovan knew he and Michael felt the same sense of relief. Unspoken words passed between the two close friends. They both knew they’d avoided disaster by only inches. Later, over drinks, Donovan knew they’d laugh at how close it had been, toast their continued good luck, then add this to their list of harrowing flights. Donovan gave Michael a nod that he understood their shared thoughts. Then he raised the microphone and called Air Traffic Control.
    â€œNew York. Eco-Watch 02 is airborne off of Bermuda. We’re climbing on course, out of twelve thousand feet going to flight level 230.”
    â€œRoger Eco-Watch 02. You’re the only airplane in my airspace. You’re cleared to climb to flight level 410. In fact, you’re cleared direct to Dulles. Report level at 410.”
    Donovan read back the clearance, then sat back in his seat. Michael had the
da Vinci
climbing like a rocket. The powerful jet hurtled upward toward the promise of clear sky above the hurricane. He thought of Ian. He hoped the brave driver had made it to the hospital. He wondered about the severed brake line and the two dead men. But most of all, his thoughts were fixed thirty feet behind him…on Lauren.

CHAPTER FOUR
    T he sleek Gulfstream burst free from the last tendrils of the storm into the stark blue sky at 35,000 feet. As far as Donovan could see, a carpet of white clouds marked the upper reaches of hurricane