Even though the sun has barely cut over the horizon, it burns bright against my eyes. It's too happy for all of the emotions rolling through me as I slip on my sunglasses and toss my suitcase into the backseat of my car. The palms wave over my head and the air smells like the fresh blooms that Mom has planted in our front yard. When I crank the engine, I cringe that Mom will hear it, but she doesn't come out. I thank the sleeping pills she took last night.
After I park at the airport, I stare out into the predawn light, the silhouette of the airport cutting against the dawn. Am I making the right choice by doing this? My nerves grate like knives, sharp against my skin. But sitting around and waiting for the police and the feds to come up with theories and answers isn't going to solve this. Sometimes you have to stand up and take action. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.
Somehow I manage to pull myself together and get out of the car, striding down the long parking lot to the airport terminal.
At the ATM, I withdraw money from MaxLife's credit card, feeling no guilt for what I'm about to do. This is for Dad. He would do anything and spend any amount of money for me.
I find the others in the lobby sitting on the hard plastic chairs. Tony has his headphones in and is mouthing words to himself, patting the armrests of the chair. Javier is reading the newspaper while Sun is talking to a tall, thin man with dark hair and an angular face. He's Asian and looks a lot like Sun so I'm guessing this is her brother, Danny.
I scan the area for Jake and finally spy him standing by the window, staring out at the planes. His shoulders are hunched as if he's bearing the weight of the world on them.
"Hey," I announce myself to the group once I'm close enough.
They all look up at me and the Sun's brother comes over to introduce himself.
"I'm Danny." He shakes my hand. "I'm sorry about your dad. I'll do whatever I can to help. Dr. Hale was a good man. He's been a big help to our father restoring some of his memories."
"Thank you," I say. There are no words for how grateful I am. "For everything."
"You sure your mom is okay with this?" Danny asks. I dig through my purse until I find the form with her fake signature on it. He takes it from me, and after glancing at it, shrugs. "I haven't been to Bangladesh in some time, but my pilots are the best. We'll get you there in no time."
The others stand to join us, and we all roll our suitcases and equipment over to security. Once through, we head down a series of corridors and take the elevator out to the tarmac.
"Your moms are okay with this?" I ask Tony and Jake as we head outside.
"She's a little preoccupied visiting my dad in jail," Jake says darkly.
"I might have made it seem like a work trip." Tony grimaces. "I'm surprised your mom didn't flip out about you coming."
"She wasn't thrilled." I shrug and force one foot in front of the other. That keeps me from freaking out and turning on my heels and leaving. "Besides, it will be a quick trip. Two days max."
My head swims with the image of Mom curled up at the kitchen corner and her disheveled appearance. I force myself not to think how she'll go ballistic once she discovers I've left. I manage to console myself with the thought of the note I left her and the email I sent this morning on her behalf to Aunt Stacy. Knowing my aunt, she'll jump in her car first thing and drive over from Tampa. Mom will be okay with her there.
As we all enter the plane, Tony whistles. "Man!" he says. "This is one sweet ride!"
"Sit wherever you are most comfortable," Danny says. "It might feel slightly cramped since usually it's just me and my executive team that flies. But it will be easier than flying commercial. Drinks and snacks are in the back galley and feel free to pop any of the freezer food into the microwave."
Sun kisses him on the cheek and says something to him in Chinese. I take in the cream-colored soft, cushiony chairs and how each has plenty of legroom and a window. "Wow," I say. "This is like flying first class but better."
Everyone thanks Danny and the mood of the group has definitely improved. Well, maybe everyone except Jake. He keeps quiet as he settles into a chair and checks his phone.
"He's a good brother," I tell Sun as I push up my suitcase into the section that Danny indicates for us. "You're lucky."
"He is." She smiles. "But he works too hard. We would all be happier if he found himself a wife and had a few kids. Might settle him down some."
"Like you're one to talk," Danny says, laughing and poking her in the back. "Miss Neuro-scientist."
When I settle into a seat, it's so soft and large that I know I'll be fast asleep once we're in the air. I snap on my seatbelt and glance behind me to see Jake sitting there, a computer on his lap while talking to Danny about internet connections. Javier has seated himself directly across from Jake, crossing his arms, and I bet, he's sending mental daggers at Jake.
Once Danny strides away, Jake's eyes catch mine. I whip back around to face forward, my heart skittering.
What is wrong with me? How can I be mooning over a boy when my father has been kidnapped? Guilt charges through me and I force myself to not look at Jake as the plane begins to taxi down the runway. I need to stay focused on finding Dad. That is what's important. As the engines revs up, Sun reaches her hand out from across the aisle. I grab her fingers and she squeezes mine.
"We're going to find him," she says. "I know it."
Whenever we're working in the Dreamscape, I always rely on her instincts. She understands emotions, the inner feelings of a person's mind like no one else. I would trust her with my life.
"If you think so," I say. "It must be true."
I pretend I don't see that flash of doubt cross her features or how she moves her head to look forward instead of looking me in the eye.
The plane lifts into the air and I tell myself this is the solution. We're going to find Dad and get the $81 million back so Jake's dad can be cleared and not go to jail. Then we all won't live the rest of our lives torn up by guilt at what we've done.
The engines roar. The cabin shudders. And I don't care if I'm placing all my trust in a lie.