by Ron McGee
Finally, they crested the top, pausing for a moment to look back. From up here, they could see the frustrated ASI soldiers in their jeeps, unable to follow because no roads led this high. The chopper continued crisscrossing the sky, trying to find them.
“Do you see where we are?” Ryan asked.
Lan looked at the border crossing down in the valley and then realized: “China! We’re over the border—we made it!”
Ryan grinned, then glanced warily at the helicopter. “We’d better keep moving. They probably won’t risk flying into Chinese airspace, but I wouldn’t want to bet on it.”
Reining the horses around, they started down the other side, using the forest for cover. As they rode on for the next hour, the reality finally settled in: They had actually done it—they were out of Andakar.
But Ryan’s relief was short-lived as he remembered the impossible choice that would soon face him. He had promised to trade Lan for his mother. Aung Win had given him only until tomorrow, which meant that his dad wouldn’t make it back in time to help. Which was a disaster because Ryan had no idea how to handle this.
When he left New York, he believed he would do whatever it took to save his mom. His family meant everything to him. There was no sacrifice he wouldn’t make.
But then he’d met Lan. Small and delicate on the outside, but with a rebel’s heart. She was just a teenager, but she’d already been through so much and faced it with strength and courage.
Aung Win demanded a trade. It had to be one or the other.
Would he save Lan or his mother?
How was he supposed to choose?
PART FOUR
DO OR DIE
CHAPTER
46
NEW YORK,
USA
Home.
For Ryan, it was weird to think of any one place that way. But as the taxi sped from the airport toward Manhattan and he caught his first glimpse of the skyline, that’s exactly how he felt. For the last couple of years, Ryan had been craving a home and now he had one.
But what good was a home without the family to fill it?
Lan rode next to him, her face pressed against the glass, taking in the strange, new surroundings with a mixture of awe and panic. It was Saturday morning in New York, a crisp autumn day without a cloud in the sky. Traffic was light as they zipped along the expressway. On the long flight back, they had both eaten and slept, though Ryan’s slumber had been filled with fitful dreams.
Thanks to Danny’s hard work, catching the plane out of China had been the smoothest part of this entire experience. He had booked tickets under the fake identities on the passports Ryan and Lan carried. At the airport, they had blended into the crowds of tourists without any issues. Danny had also wired money to the Western Union station at the airport, enough for them to buy food and new clothes at the gift shops. A sandwich and a fresh change of underwear and socks had been desperately needed!
Ryan checked his phone once more, making sure he hadn’t received a message from his dad. No text, no email, no voice mail. No contact at all. Ryan hoped he was all right, but mostly, he wished he’d get in touch to tell Ryan what to do. Aung Win could call at any moment to arrange the trade of Myat Kaw for Jacqueline. When he did, Ryan would have to act quickly.
Lan turned from the taxi’s window. “On the train, that was my uncle you were talking to, wasn’t it?”
The question caught Ryan off guard, but he didn’t even consider lying to her. They’d been through too much together. “Yeah.”
“And he’ll trade your mother for me?”
Ryan nodded. “That’s what he says, anyway. My mom yelled out not to trust him.”
“She’s right.” Lan had a determined look on her face. “But you have to make the trade anyway. We have to do whatever we can to save your mom.”
Ryan could tell she meant it. Despite the risk, Lan was ready to go with her uncle, to do anything necessary to help—to give up her own life to save someone else.
And in that moment, Ryan knew there was no way he could ever let Aung Win get his hands on Lan.
Ryan flashed back on all that had happened: He’d used a fake ID to sneak into a hostile country, broken into the command center of a spy agency, and journeyed across rivers and mountains while being chased by jerks with machine guns. Five days ago, he would’ve never believed any of that was possible. But he’d done it. And somehow, he’d figure this out, too.
There had to be a way to save them both.
Daylight vanished as they plunged into the Midtown Tunnel, which led under the East River and into Manhattan. White tiles flashed past in the dimly lit underpass. Ryan wished he had a deck of cards. Practicing his sleight-of-hand tricks always helped him think.
Ryan opened up the email program on his phone, which was now fully recharged. Danny had sent him photos of the building where they believed his mom was being held. Danny’s camera had been recording the entrance ever since the failed police search. Neither Aung Win nor the bodyguard had come out, but the driver of their car had stopped by twice. He brought several bags of groceries on each visit, which made Ryan believe they were still holed up inside. Probably lying low until the trade.
Suddenly, Ryan stopped.
The trade … the driver … sleight-of-hand …
His thoughts came in a jumble as a plan began to form. He couldn’t do it on his own. He’d need the help of his friends to pull it off, but Ryan finally felt a glimmer of hope.
As the taxi pulled out of the tunnel and into traffic, Ryan started putting the pieces together.
CHAPTER
47
NEW YORK,
USA
Back home, Ryan ran straight for his parents’ room and unearthed the canister of pepper spray from his mom’s gym bag. She kept it with her workout clothes and running shoes—just in case.
Stuffing the canister in his pocket, he hurried down the hallway of his family’s brownstone to his bedroom. He went straight to the pegboard that held all his baseball caps. Without hesitation, he grabbed his Roy Halladay–signed Philadelphia Phillies hat and pulled it on. Halladay had thrown a no-hitter his very first time pitching during the playoffs—the first post-season no-hitter in over fifty years. It was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime success that Ryan needed today. He hoped the cap brought him the same luck.
As he came back downstairs, the doorbell rang. He glanced through the peephole, then opened the door, happy to see Danny on the front steps.
“Thanks for coming,” Ryan said. Just seeing his friend standing there gave him a boost of confidence, which he sorely needed.
“Yeah, it was either join my parents for a day of antiques shopping, or come here and help you kick some butt. You’re lucky antiques suck.”
“Antiques may sound better before today’s over.”
Danny’s cool bravado disappeared as he grabbed Ryan in a spontaneous hug. “Dude, it’s good to see you. I thought for sure you were a goner.”
Ryan grinned. “Thanks for keeping that to yourself.”
“Ryan!” The guys pulled apart, turning to see Kasey arrive. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Sorry you got pulled into all this,” Ryan said.
“I’m not. And whatever you need, we’re here for you.” She turned as Steeg came up behind her, scowling.
Danny instinctively stepped behind Ryan, using him as a human shield. “Back off, man, or Ryan’ll go all ninja on you!”
“Ignore him,” Ryan said, stepping forward and stretching out his hand to Steeg. “We never officially met. I’m Ryan—thanks for helping.”
“I haven’t agreed to anything yet.” But Steeg reluctantly shook Ryan’s hand.
Danny looked between them, confused. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Steeg glanced at his sister, then back to Ryan. “All this stuff she told me—it’s some kinda prank, right?”
“I wish. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s real.”
“
We brought my parents’ car like you asked,” Kasey said.
“We’re not going anywhere with these guys.” Steeg was adamant, used to being in charge. “No way I’m risking my license on some stupid scheme that’s probably a bunch of bull anyway.”
“Before anyone decides to do anything or not, I want you to meet someone.” He ushered them inside the brownstone, quickly scanning the street for anyone suspicious before he closed the door.
Ryan led everyone down the hall to the kitchen where Lan was typing on Ryan’s laptop. He said Lan’s name to get her attention, and she looked up with a fierce expression. All it took for her to change from a frightened teenager to the crusading blogger Myat Kaw was a laptop and internet access.
“I started several rumors that Myat Kaw had been taken prisoner by an American,” she said. “That should make my uncle more confident the trade is happening.”
“Good. Everyone, this is Lan.” Ryan introduced Danny and Kasey, adding, “These are the two who managed to get us out of the country.”
“Thanks,” Lan said. “Ryan’s lucky to have such smart friends.”
Danny grinned. “And handsome—don’t forget how handsome his friends are. And very available to show you around this amazing city.”
“Seriously?” Steeg just shook his head.
“Well, I don’t mean, like, right now.”
“Danny showed me the blogs you’ve been writing,” Kasey said. “It’s amazing. You’re really helping people.”
“I just write the truth.”
“Well, the truth can be powerful in the right hands.” Kasey didn’t hide her admiration.
Ryan noticed that Steeg was uncharacteristically quiet, his eyes never leaving Lan. “This is Kasey’s brother, Steeg.”
“Nice to meet you.” Steeg held out his hand, which Lan took delicately, not used to the gesture. “And it’s, uh, Drew. My name—it’s Drew.”
“Hello, Drew.” Lan actually blushed as Steeg broke into a goofy smile, the two holding hands longer than necessary. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“You gotta be kidding.” Danny rolled his eyes. Maybe convincing Steeg to help wouldn’t be that hard, after all.
Ryan brought everyone up to speed on all that had happened, answering their many questions. Ryan was impatient, knowing they might not have much time. But if everyone wasn’t on the same page, they didn’t stand a chance of succeeding.
Finally, Ryan was ready to tell them what he had in mind.
“When I was a kid,” he started, “my dad encouraged me to learn magic. Sleight of hand, card tricks, making things look like they can float. You know what the most critical part of any magic trick is?”
“Finding someone to watch who’s not bored to tears?” Danny suggested.
“Distraction,” Ryan said. “You have to get your audience focused in one direction”—Ryan snapped with the fingers of his left hand and they all glanced that way—“while the real trick is happening someplace completely different.”
Ryan’s strategy required an element of surprise, so they’d only have one shot to get it right. A million things could go wrong. But he forced himself not to think about those now. This plan had to work.
His mother’s life depended on it.
CHAPTER
48
NEW YORK,
USA
Ryan’s cell phone rang as the screen lit up with the word he’d been anxiously awaiting: “Blocked.”
The call had finally come. Still no contact from Dad or Tasha. Ryan was beginning to give up hope that she’d escaped or that his father would make it out of Andakar. But he couldn’t allow those worries to control him. He had to keep moving forward. Ryan picked up the phone and held it out to Steeg.
“You ready?”
Steeg took it, nervous. “This whole acting thing, I don’t know …”
Kasey gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “You can do it, Drew. Just be tough and determined—pretend it’s the final seconds of a playoff game.”
Steeg nodded, psyching himself up. The three of them were on the second floor of a massive used bookstore, tucked in a private corner next to a picture window. The bookstore was across the street from the building where they’d seen Aung Win and the bodyguard. Danny had checked the camera one last time and believed they were all still inside.
As the phone rang again, Steeg answered, putting the call on speaker so Ryan and Kasey could hear. He took a deep breath and said, “This is John Quinn.”
Ryan prayed this would work. Being seventeen and a big guy, Steeg’s voice had already changed, giving him the lower register of a grown man. They needed Aung Win to believe he was dealing directly with Ryan’s father.
“You have Myat Kaw?” Aung Win’s gravelly voice was unmistakable.
“I want to speak to my wife.” Steeg did well, his tone confident and assured. “I won’t hand over your niece unless I know she’s okay.”
For an interminable few seconds there was no response, and Ryan felt a twinge of panic. He heard a scuffling sound as the phone was moved, and then his mom’s voice, tense but controlled: “John, is that you?”
Ryan pointed to the name Jackie written on a notepad for Steeg. Ryan’s father always called her Jacqueline, never a nickname. He hoped this would send a signal to his mom to play along.
“It’s me, Jackie,” Steeg said. “Are you okay?”
Jacqueline only hesitated a moment, then said, “I’m fine, Johnny.” Ryan gave a silent cheer—his mom had understood, sending back her own signal by calling his dad Johnny. Hopefully, that meant she’d be on the alert, ready for them when they moved into action.
Aung Win was back. “You will deliver Lan to me. You have her?”
“I do,” Steeg answered. Kasey gave him a thumbs-up. She made a mean face, encouraging her brother to stay tough and in character. “My wife better not be hurt.”
“As long as you don’t contact the authorities, she will be unharmed. Come alone.” His tone was cold and detached. Ryan wished he could reach through the phone and punch him.
“Where?” Steeg asked.
“There is a private airfield on Long Island. The East Shore Aerodrome. Bring her there.”
“You have to promise me you won’t kill Lan. She’s just a girl.” That was a nice touch, Ryan thought. Steeg was really selling it.
“You have two hours,” Aung Win said, and the call was disconnected.
Steeg gave the phone to Ryan, then looked at his hand. “I’m shaking. I never shake.”
“You were perfect,” Ryan assured him. “He totally bought it.”
Kasey was already standing. “We need to get in position. I’ll find Danny and Lan.” She took off to collect the other two, who had been killing time while they waited for the call, lost in the vast collection of used books.
Ryan got up, but Steeg stopped him. “Listen, I get that it’s a lot to deal with, what your parents are going through and all. But are you sure this is the right play? Maybe we should just leave it to the cops.”
“Aung Win will be on the lookout for police. I can’t risk him getting spooked. But he won’t be expecting any problems from a bunch of kids.”
“That’s because a bunch of kids shouldn’t be doing this.”
Ryan understood Steeg’s reluctance. He still felt it himself. “You want me to tell Kasey to go home?”
“Nobody tells Kasey to do anything she doesn’t want to do. But since my job is to be with Danny and Lan, it’s up to you to watch out for her, got it? Forget about this Aung Win dirtbag—anything happens to Kasey and you’ve got me to worry about.” After a beat to let that sink in, he walked away.
Steeg was right. Ryan was putting his friends in danger. Sure, he thought he had figured out a way to keep everyone safe, but what if things didn’t go as planned? What if everything fell apart and someone got hurt?
“You coming?” Kasey was once again at Ryan’s side. Beyond her, he saw Danny, Steeg, and Lan waiting at the top of the stai
rs.
“I can’t ask you guys to do this.”
“We’re all here because we chose to be,” Kasey said.
“But it’s not your problem.”
“Of course it is. You’re our friend, and you need help. That’s what friends do.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“How dangerous was getting Lan out of Andakar? And what about your parents? Who knows how much they’ve risked helping people over the years.”
“That’s different,” Ryan said. “They knew what they were getting into.”
“So do we,” Kasey insisted. “Isn’t that the point of the Emergency Rescue Committee? That sometimes it’s worth taking risks to help people when they really need it?”
“Your brother thinks we should just leave it to the cops.”
“That’s what I thought, too,” Kasey said. “I was the one who pushed Danny to call them that night, and it was almost a disaster. These guys are smart and careful. I think your plan is the best chance we’ve got to get your mom away from them safely.”
“You do?” Ryan was surprised by how much her vote of confidence meant to him.
“Absolutely.”
Ryan felt a renewed sense of commitment. “All right—let’s do this. But just in case, have 911 ready to dial, okay?”
“Will do. But this is gonna work.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I better be,” Kasey said, “because we have a date for the Autumn Carnival Dance tonight.”
“That’s tonight?” Ryan had completely forgotten.
Kasey arched an eyebrow playfully: “Don’t think for a second that all this gets you out of dancing with me.”
Together, they joined the others and headed downstairs.
There was no turning back now.
CHAPTER
49
NEW YORK,
USA
Timing would be everything. Their crucial advantage was that Aung Win would not anticipate any problems here at his safe house. If something were to go wrong, he’d expect it to happen at the airfield during the trade.