CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX JACK
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
J ACK
Jack runs his thumb along the edge of the FBI agent’s business card, recalling the day he learned Sabrina’s true nature. He never told Makayla what happened between them, afraid of what it might do to his wife during her fragile period following the death of her mother.
It took him years of landing new clients to finally manage the same amount of money he would’ve with the Goldstein account. Sabrina is still ice cold to him, even though it’s been years. And she was the one who wronged him . But fortunately, she now keeps their interactions at the firm to a minimum.
Jack’s phone rings on the kitchen counter. He drops the card and rushes toward his cell. Seeing it’s Makayla’s father again, his hope deflates. He prepares himself to tell Jason he still hasn’t heard anything.
“Hey, Jason.”
“Jack! The police are back with a warrant to search my home. They’re looking for Liam. What the hell is happening?”
Jack hears a male voice in the background. He glances at the FBI agent’s business card lying on the floor. “I—I don’t know.”
“Why on earth would they think he’s here?”
The only plausible answer—and its implication that they don’t believe Liam’s on that plane —sends a ripple of terror through him.
A beep comes through his speaker. Jack extends his phone to see Makayla is calling him.
“Jason, I have to go. Makayla’s calling.”
“Thank God. Let’s hope she’s found him. Call me back when you find out.”
Jack accepts Makayla’s WhatsApp call without saying goodbye. “Makayla? Have you found him?”
“No.”
Jack’s insides curl up as Makayla continues.
“The crew says they’ve looked everywhere. I’ve looked again, too, but we can’t find him.”
How is that possible? “Are you sure they’ve looked everywhere?” It doesn’t make any sense. They can’t have searched the entire aircraft—otherwise they would have found him. The crew must not believe Liam came on the flight. But why?
Makayla’s mother’s infamous TV interview replays in his mind, but he shoves the thought aside, refusing to entertain the idea that Makayla got on the plane without Liam. He refrains from telling her about the FBI searching her father’s home, afraid it might put her into a full-blown panic. “What about the luggage compartment? Have they looked there?”
“According to the crew, the only access to it is through the cockpit. I asked the captain, and he said no one’s been up there tonight besides him and the copilot. He said there’s no way Liam could be down there.”
Jack paces the living room in front of the window. But then where is he?
“People are starting to act like I might be confused. The crew is acting like I didn’t bring Liam on board with me. Like I lost my memory like my mom. It’s insane , Jack. I don’t know what’s happening, but someone on this plane took Liam.” A sob envelops her voice. “And they still have him—somewhere.”
“Are they still searching the plane?”
“No! That’s what’s infuriating! They won’t even land. The captain said he can’t divert due to a thunderstorm. But I’m not sure that’s true. They say they’re doing everything, but I don’t think they even believe me. You need to convince the FBI to have them search the plane again.”
“When the FBI was here, they asked me if we’ve had any suspicious encounters with anyone lately. I told them no.” Jack stops pacing, thinking about Lionel. He hesitates before telling her the next part. “They’re considering that Liam may have been kidnapped for a ransom because of my job.”
“What!”
“Don’t worry—I haven’t received a ransom demand.” Jack realizes how stupid his words sound as soon as they leave his mouth. How could she not worry? Liam is gone. And nothing will make that better until he’s found.
“I can’t believe this,” she mutters. “What else did they say?”
He debates whether to tell her. It would only upset her more. Looking down at his bare feet, he runs a hand down the back of his head. “They did ask me if you’ve had any amnesiac episodes, like your mom.”
“They’re wasting time! They need to help us find Liam. Not question whether he’s even missing!”
“That’s what I told them.” He refrains from adding that he told them about her headaches. And that the FBI is searching her father’s house for Liam. “The FBI is having trouble verifying that Liam went with you through TSA. They said your dad told an Anchorage officer that you fell and hit your head yesterday. Are you sure you’re o—”
“That was nothing! I’m fine . I can’t even believe this. Not from you. We need to find our son, Jack!”
From the wobble in her voice, Jack knows she’s on the verge of tears, if she isn’t crying already.
“I know. And I believe you.”
“Really? Because it seems like you’re doubting me too.” She scoffs. “Of all people, Jack. I just texted Cori, and she offered to do whatever she could to help us. At least she isn’t questioning my memory like everyone else, even my husband.”
“Who’s Cori?”
Makayla exhales with exasperation. “My best friend. We met at a mother’s group a few months ago.”
Best friend? How come he’s never heard her name before?
“I know I’ve told you about her,” Makayla adds as if reading his thoughts. “She and I talk all the time. You probably weren’t listening.”
Probably not. And most likely, this woman is Makayla’s friend. Jack feels the hairs prick up on the back of his neck, thinking about what the FBI said. They seemed interested in any and all new encounters they’ve had.
He stares at his reflection in the large window. “How well do you know her?”