Loki's jaw was tight, his eyes squinting against the bright sun of the new day. "I have not," he answered.
"Me either," I said. "Not like that, where it's mutual and..." I looked down at my hands, crusted with dirt and gore, I'd broken a nail at the center, blood welled around it. I didn't know what the word was, how to say what they had that was different than what I'd ever had. Or would ever have. There was innocence to it, a trust I'd never be able to offer.
Loki continued to watch the road, and a long stretch of silence spread between us, punctuated only by the wheezing of the van as we bounced over rocks and the constant hum of the engine. But I felt that he knew what I was talking about. Maybe he didn't have the words either. I didn't think Loki could love either. Not like those two in the back. Faith, I realized then. That's what it was. They had faith. Faith that something good could last.
Tears welled in my eyes, surprising me with their burning. I turned my face, staring out the window at the rice paddies, at the grasses rustling in the wind, the sun sparkling off the muddy water, the blue sky and those unreal mountains. A tear escaped, slipping down my cheek, hanging perilously onto the edge of my jaw before dropping to my shirt.
My phone rang, bringing my attention back to the present. Bobby's voice sounded relaxed. "How did it go?" he asked.
"We're on our way to the airport," I said. "Is the plane waiting?"
"Yes, the first flight will take you to South Korea. I have a member of my team meeting you there. He will bring you up to speed on the rest of the travel plans. You're running later than you expected."
"We had some unforeseen complications."
He cleared his throat. "I've got one of those myself."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, the IPO is going to be fine. There won't be a problem."
"It's in two days, right?"
"Yes, so there isn't time for the news to hit before it happens."
"What news?" I asked, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck raise. Blue pushed his nose into my free hand, his body warm against my legs. I pet his head, listening to Bobby breathe on the other end of the line, across the world, and yet sounding so close.
"There is a whistle-blower."
"A whistle-blower?"
"Yes, and I can't seem to find out who."
We drove through the village where Loki and I had stayed. Tourists still filled the shops or were pulled along in rickshaws, fruit stands bursted with exotic fruits, everything was as we'd left it. "Does it matter? I mean you planned on leaving after the IPO."
"No, it's fine." A waver in his voice, something I'd never heard before.
"You sound unsure."
"It's Declan Doyle."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"He is blowing the whistle on you, on me, on everything. That we are working together, that I killed Kurt Jessup, everything."
"Everything?" I said, my mind wrapping itself around the massiveness of the lies and secrets about to be exposed.
"Yes."
"I don't care," I said.
Bobby laughed. We were through the village now. I saw a small plane in the distance, making a final approach to the airport. Its wings glinted in the noon day sun. "Well, I guess it will be fine. Except, of course, for the people in your life who are not related to Joyful Justice. Like your mother."
Her face popped into my mind and I pushed it away, swiped it from my vision, smearing her image into a color palette. "I don't care," I said.
"Cold."
"Frozen."
"What about the fact that the myth of you killing your brother's murderer was the inspiration for Joyful Justice. You don't think exposing that lie will change anything?"
"I've never admitted to killing him."
Loki looked over at me and then back at the road.
Bobby laughed. "We can talk about it tomorrow."
"Fine, I'm almost at the airport. Can you have a doctor meet us when we land?" I asked.
"Sure," Robert said. "Have a safe flight."
Merl stirred as we pulled next to the small landing strip. Our jet was waiting. The flight attendant stood at the top of the steps, her eyes shining with the pleasure of serving us. Then her gaze ran over Merl and Mo in their prison rags, the three Doberman Pinchers, the blood on Loki and me, Blue's red-splotched fur, and her face fell, the color draining.
I pretended not to notice. This small plane just had to get its motley passengers out of Chinese air space. Once in South Korea we could get back to the island without much trouble. Loki saw us onto the plane and then started to take his leave.
"You're not coming with us?" I asked.
Loki looked surprised. "My life is here," he said.
"But," I looked over at the flight attendant. "Give us a moment please." She nodded and hurried to the back of the plane, busying herself with coffee cups. "Aren't you in danger? You think it's safe to stay in China?"
"I think it is safe enough."
"But what about Ming and the police? Won't they come after you? Won't they figure out you were involved in what happened at the prison camp?"
"I will be back in Shanghai by this evening. I have protection there. Do not worry about me," he smiled and took my hand. "Call me next time you visit the city. It would be my pleasure to host you again."
I laughed. "You're serious."
"Entirely."
"Okay, good luck," I said.
He nodded, squeezing my hand before turning to Merl. They shook hands briefly, Merl thanked him again for his help. "I wish you safe travels," he said, shaking Mo's hand in turn. Then he left. I crossed to the window and watched him climb back into the van. I hoped he was right, that he would be safe but I was frightened for him. How could I not be?
"Please take your seats," the flight attendant announced over the PA system. "We are taking off momentarily."
I sat down in one of the big leather chairs and put on my seat belt, watching through the window as Loki drove away, dust pluming from behind the van.
We landed in South Korea hours later. A man met us at the plane. He introduced himself as "Agent Fields, I'm a friend of Robert Maxim’s." He was about six feet tall, wearing a dark suit with a bright blue tie and dark sunglasses. Looking Merl up and down he continued, "I have a house waiting and a doctor on call." He drove a Mercedes, black and shiny with tan leather interior and tinted windows. The license plate had a diplomatic tag on it.
The house was large, owned by an "associate of Mr. Maxim’s." The doctor had white hair, an understanding smile and a black bag right out of the 1950s. After bandaging Merl's wounds and giving him antibiotics he left, accepting no payment. "When do we leave?" I asked Agent Fields.
"Two hours," he said. "There is food if you're hungry." We were all starving and devoured the provided meal without a word passing among us.
Redux
I slept most of the way back to the island. Merl and Mo talked in low whispers and the rise and fall of their voices lulled me into a deep rest. I didn't wake until we touched down on the runway. I sat up, reaching out into space at the jolt and found Blue waiting. He leaned against my leg and looked up at me, the devotion in his eyes almost unreasonable. "Hey boy," I said, leaning over and kissing the top of his head. He closed his eyes and sighed appreciatively.
Dan was waiting for us as we disembarked. Merl and Dan embraced, their hug tight. Merl introduced Mo and Dan shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said.
"Thank you for having me, for helping us."
Dan nodded. "Of course. Come on, you must all be hungry," Dan said, putting his arm around me in greeting, squeezing my shoulder. "Good to see you," he said as we walked to the Jeep. Blue pushed up against Dan. "You too, boy," he said, letting me go to pet Blue before getting in the Jeep.
I felt like I was living in a loop. How many days had it been since I first landed on the island? Since I accused Dan of betraying me to Bobby Maxim. And here, I'd just used that connection to get myself out of a very tight jam. I c
ounted in my head—nine days had passed. It felt like longer.
"Did Mitchel make it back?" I asked as I got into the passenger side. Blue hopped up into the seat well, just fitting in at my feet.
Dan nodded his head. "The kid too, with his mom." He looked over at me. "He's got potential. And a burning desire, which is half the battle really."
"That's great. What about his mom?"
Dan smiled. "She can't really believe she is here. Started crying when she saw her room." There was something in Dan’s eyes as he looked at me, a look too close to admiration, and I turned away. "She is helping out in the kitchen," Dan said.
Merl and Mo settled into the back seat with his three dogs and we started toward the volcano.
"Have you talked to Bobby?" I asked, pushing my hair behind my ears, trying to keep it under control as the breeze whipped it around my head.
"Yeah, he called. Set up a meeting for tonight."
"Did he say what it was about?"
"Doyle."
"Yeah, what do you think?"
Merl leaned forward between the seats. "What's going on?"
Dan glanced at Mo in the rearview mirror. "Let's talk about it later."
Merl nodded, understanding it was council business.
After a brief but filling meal and a quick shower I met with Dan and Merl in Dan's office overlooking the control center below. Merl's hair was pulled back into its customary ponytail, reaching down his back to his waist. He'd shaved and the wounds on his wrists and ankles were freshly bandaged. He was looking down at the floor below when I walked in. "Amazing, isn't it?" he said, glancing over his shoulder at me, smiling.
"Yes," I agreed. "Incredible."
Dan was sitting on his couch. "The rest of the council will be online in about," he checked his watch, "two hours."
"What's going on?" Merl asked. "What did I miss?"
"We've been in a holding pattern until the IPO goes through. We've continued surveillance and any missions that didn't involve Fortress Global clients, but we're ready to move starting tomorrow." I felt a thrill run up my spine thinking about the seven missions set to go off the following day. I'd read all the files the last time I was here and was looking forward to watching them go down.
"The new news," Dan continued, "is that Declan Doyle -" Dan looked at Merl making sure he knew whom we were talking about.
"The New York detective turned homeland security officer who knows that Sydney is actually Joy Humbolt and has been chasing her for years."
"Right, he is whistle-blowing," I said.
"What does that mean?" Merl asked.
"According to what Robert told me he is going public about Bobby and Joyful Justice, about Sydney being Joy, and we’re not sure what else. He claims to have evidence. Video footage from Costa Rica."
"When he tried to capture Sydney and Robert?"
"Right."
"But that was an illegal mission."
"Exactly, he's trying to blow up the U.S government, Fortress Global, and Sydney/Joyful Justice all at once."
"How?" Merl asked, sitting down in one of the chairs facing the couch where Dan and I both sat.
“An interview on the TV show Deadline.”
"What about the rest of us?" Merl asked. "Does he know about the other council members?"
"I don't think so," Dan said. “We've been incredibly careful. Mulberry I'd say is the only other member in danger of being outed."
"He's at the training camp still?"
"Yes."
"When can I get back there?"
"Whenever you want. I'm guessing Mo will be going with you?"
"Yes, she will be an invaluable member of the team."
"I'm sure she will."
"What about her friends?" I asked. "All those other people in the prison camp?"
"She is going to stay in touch with them. I convinced her that we could do more for them abroad than if we stayed,” Merl said.
"Do they want out of the country? Should we try to get them to safety?” Dan asked.
"They want to fight the persecution. Mo didn't want to leave,” Merl answered.
"I'm glad she did," I said.
Merl smiled. "Me too. But back to this Declan situation. What's the downside for us?"
"Well, Sydney is going to be a wanted woman again making it much harder for her to move around," Dan said.
"That's going to suck," I admitted.
"Her mother is probably going to get surrounded by press. Hugh too. It's going to ruin their lives."
"Hugh will be fine," I said, referring to my brother's boyfriend at the time of his murder. He knew about Joyful Justice and supported it. As a celebrity chef he also knew how to deal with the press.
"What about your mother?" Dan asked.
"I don't care about her."
"Okay," he said, his voice rising at the end of the word, almost like he didn't believe me. Or didn't approve. I ignored any undertones and stared him down.
"What's our other option? Kill him?" I said, holding Dan's gaze. "I'm not interested in that. I don't think he's a bad man. He just thinks I'm evil and what we're doing is wrong. If we killed everyone who thought that we'd be very busy. We need to keep our eyes on the prize, on fighting for justice where we can."
"You're not going to be able to leave this island," Merl said. "You'll go crazy."
"That's not entirely true," I said. "I mean, come on, I can go to our training camp, any one of Lenox's boats," I smiled, joking but not really. "What can I do about it?"
Dan ran his hand through his hair. "And what about Robert?"
"Oh, yeah, he's fucked," I said.
"I mean, don't you think he is going to kill Declan?"
"Did he say that?" I asked Dan.
"No," he shook his head. "But he's ruthless, Sydney, you know that. Robert Maxim is not going to be okay with staying out of the world. He's kept a very low profile for a man in his position and I don't think he's going to let one whistle-blower destroy that for him."
I sat back on the couch, running my hands over the pattern of the fabric, thinking. "You're right," I said. "He'll try to kill him."
"Try?" Dan said. "Since when does Bobby Maxim 'try'? He will kill him."
"Where is the interview taking place? Do we know?"
"Robert didn't say but I'm sure he knows."
"If Robert wants to kill him I'm not sure there is anything we can do to stop him," I said. Merl and Dan both nodded, their expressions thoughtful. "All right, well, let's talk to Robert and see what he has to say before we try to make any decisions."
Both men nodded their agreement. Standing up I walked over to the wall of glass that looked down onto the control room below. I thought about the seven missions Joyful Justice planned to unleash the following day. The capture of the chemical plant in the Amazon. We'd warned them to stop dumping dangerous chemicals and they hadn't, so we were shutting the place down. Permanently. The head of a human trafficking ring, a man who thought of himself as a king, was getting kidnapped. It wouldn't destroy his network but it would be a punishing blow. Once we had him in our grasp we'd figure out how to dismantle his empire.
The offshore accounts of several CEOs who'd refused to curb their policies in ways that we had instructed (two dumping cancer-causing chemicals into water sources and one turning a blind eye to slave practices in his manufacturing) were being emptied and distributed amongst their victims. The captain of a fleet of ships used to transport immigrants from Africa to Europe was being relieved of his vessels.
The people below me—typing on their keyboards, talking on their headsets, watching aerial footage that played on the big screen—were all ready for tomorrow. The people we were going after all thought Fortress Global had taken care of their problems. They'd know soon enough that wasn't true.
I hoped that awakening would happen when our team members came crashing through the door and not Declan Doyle being interviewed on TV. If they found out before we struck that Robert Maxim betrayed t
hem, it would take away our element of surprise. Robert Maxim would end up with a price on his head. As would I. But did that mean we should stop Declan from going public? Did I really have a choice? There was no controlling Robert Maxim.
#
Two hours later Dan had set up the monitors on his desk to face us Merl and me on the couch. There were three screens. Lenox and Anita appeared on one, the screen split between their two feeds. Mulberry was on another and Robert on the last. Mulberry brought the meeting to order. He looked tan and healthy, Costa Rica seemed to suit him. His jaw showed a slight stubble and he appeared rested, the lines around his eyes less noticeable than the last time I'd seen him.
I recognized the room he was sitting in, it was Merl's dojo. Light poured in through the large tinted windows, weapons gleamed on the wall behind him. "Robert, tell us what you've learned," Mulberry said, crossing his thick arms and leaning back into his chair.
Robert was wearing a crisp white shirt and yellow tie that brought out the flecks of gold in his eyes. His hair was dark with silver at his temples. The wall behind him was blank white, leaving nothing on the screen to indicate where he was. "As I've told Sydney, Dan, and Mulberry, Declan Doyle is scheduled to give an interview on the TV show Deadline tomorrow night during which he will reveal Sydney's true identity, her relationship to Joyful Justice, and my own involvement."
Lenox and Anita both frowned at this news. "I have not heard this," Anita said, her British accent sounded clipped and angry. "And I have contacts there."
Robert smiled, almost condescending. "Clearly, they are not as good as mine."
Anita blushed. Her long dark hair was pulled back and she wore tortoise shell glasses that brought out the warm brown tones in her skin. Her eyes, large, dark and almond shaped, appeared even bigger through the lenses. Her bright green top, silk and fitted, shimmered in the light. A breeze played with tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail. She frowned deeply, her lips shiny and pink with gloss. "Or yours are mistaken," she said, her voice icy.
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