Free Danger Zone by Doreen Owens Malek

She fell into a deep, dreamless slumber that wasn’t broken until the phone rang in the morning.
    She dressed quickly and sent a cable to her sister telling her when she would arrive at Newark. There was no message from Colter. She had a late breakfast in the hotel dining room and then left by taxi for the airport.
    In a couple of hours she was on her way home.

 
    Chapter 3
     
    Karen’s sister Grace was waiting at the arrival gate in Newark, her face a mask of anxiety. When she saw Karen making her way through the crush of people she surged forward and threw her arms around her younger sibling.
    “Oh, Karen, are you all right?” she said worriedly. “Ken and I were just frantic when we heard the news.” She drew back and peered at Karen closely, biting her lower lip.
    “I’m fine, Grace; let’s just get out of here,” Karen replied, glancing around her furtively. “I really don’t feel like running into a reporter who wants an interview with the returning native. You never can tell who might have gotten wind of my flight schedule.”
    “Of course,” Grace said hurriedly, almost running to keep up with Karen’s brisk pace. “But what about your things ?” She glanced toward the crowd waiting for the luggage return.
    “There are no things, Grace. Just what’s on my back, and in this tote. I didn’t even have my passport, the British embassy in Caracas arranged my travel visa.”
    “Oh, you poor dear,” Grace said, overcome again. “Ken and I watched it every day on TV. I couldn’t believe the story when I first heard it. I was at the supermarket and when I came out and got in the car, the report was on the radio. Then on the five o’clock news there was a film of it, and later they started interrupting the programming to give special bulletins.”
    “Grace,” Karen said patiently, “I don’t mean to be rude, but I really don’t want to talk about it. I lived it for five days and I’d rather forget it, okay?”
    “Fine, fine,” Grace said hastily. “I understand. We’re just glad you’re home safe and sound.”
    Since her marriage Grace had a tendency to use the editorial “we,” including her husband and two children in her opinions.
    “Where are the kids?” Karen asked, remembering them. Tommy, five, and Mary, three, were conspicuously absent.
    “Oh, Tom’s in school and I got a sitter for Mary. I figured you might not need her Big Bird imitations today.”
    “Thanks,” Karen said, “I appreciate it. You know how much I love her, but a peaceful ride back would be nice.”
    “I made up the spare room,” Grace said as they passed through the outer doors and headed for the short term parking lot. “You feel free to stay just as long as you want. Do you have any plans about what you’re going to do?”
    “Well,” Karen said dryly, “it’s pretty obvious that I’m out of a job.”
    “You don’t think you’ll go back to Almeria?”
    “I’m a little afraid to go back,” Karen answered frankly. “Even if this crisis is settled the unrest is going to keep on indefinitely. And if they ask me to return, working at Government House would keep me right in the thick of it.”
    “Thank God,” Grace said, relieved. “I was afraid you would be determined to stay on there.”
    “Not after the past week,” Karen said, subdued. “The USA looks pretty good to me right now. I think I’ll try for a job around here, then get my own place.”
    “What about your apartment in Ascension?” Grace asked. She was scanning the numbers on the metal fence, looking for the section where she’d parked her car.
    “I don’t know. I guess I’ll close it up and ask my landlady to send the clothes and personal stuff. The furniture isn’t worth transporting; she can sell it.”
    “This way,” Grace said, spotting her station wagon. They walked in silence for a while until she went on, “Karen, I know you said you didn’t want to discuss the kidnapping. But if you just answer one question