"Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins - Left Behind Series 1 - Left Behind" - читать интересную книгу автора (LaHaye Tim)

picking their way around the debris.
As O'Hare came into view, it was clear no one was going anywhere soon. There
were planes as far as the eye could see, some crashed and burning, the others grid
locked in between vehicles toward the terminal. The expressways that led to the
airport looked like they had during the great Chicago blizzards, only without the
snow.
Cranes and wreckers were trying to clear a path through the front of the terminal so
cars could get in and out, but that would take hours, if not days. A snake of
humanity wended its way slowly out of the great terminal buildings, between the
motionless cars, and onto the ramps. People walking, walking, walking, looking for
a cab or a limo. Buck began plotting how he would beat the new system. Somehow,
he had to get moving and get out of such a congested area. The problem was, his
goal was to get to a worse one: New York.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Rayford announced, “I want to thank you again for your
cooperation today. We've been asked to put down on the only runway that will take
this size plane and then to taxi to an open area about two miles from the terminal.
I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to use our inflatable emergency chutes,
because we will not be able to hook up to any gateways. If you are unable to walk to
the terminal, please stay with the plane, and we will send someone back for you.”
There was no thanking them for choosing Pan-Continental, no “We hope you'll
make us your choice next time you need air service.” He did remind them to stay
seated with their belts fastened until he turned off the seat belt sign, because
privately he knew this would be his most difficult landing in years. He knew he
could do it, but it had been a long time since he had had to land a plane among other
aircraft.
Rayford envied whoever it was in first class who had the inside track on
communicating by modem. He was desperate to call Irene, Chloe, and Ray Jr. On
the other hand, he feared he might never talk to them again.



CHAPTER THREE
HATTIE Durham and what was left of her cabin crew encouraged passengers to
study the safety cards in their seat pockets. Many feared they would be unable to
jump and slide down the chutes, especially with their carry-on luggage. They were
instructed to remove their shoes and to jump seat first onto the chute. Then crew
members would toss them their shoes and bags. They were advised not to wait in
the terminal for their checked baggage. That, they were promised, would eventually
be delivered to their homes. No guarantees when.
Buck Williams gave Hattie his card and got her phone number, “Just in case I get
through to your people before you do.”
“You're with Global Weekly?” she said. “I had no idea.”
“And you were going to send me to my room for tampering with the phone.”
She appeared to be trying to smile. “Sorry,” Buck said, “not funny. I'll let you go.”
Always a light traveler, Buck was grateful he had checked no baggage. Never did,
not even on international flights. When he opened the bin to pull down his leather
bag, he found the old man's hat and jacket still perched atop it. Harold's wife sat
staring at Buck, her eyes full, jaw set. “Ma'am,” he said quietly, “would you want
these?”
The grieving woman gratefully gathered in the hat and coat, and crushed them