12. Travis
After putting Paige in the cab to the hotel up the road, I go back into the market to get some more snacks and water along with Advil. I’ve got a splitting headache. I didn’t want Paige to know the adrenaline let down was revealing the aches and pains from the crash. The dehydration and lack of food and sleep were taking me down in a hurry. I grab a couple cans of Red Bull to keep me going until I can get my butt on a plane.
I glance down at my torn pants and shoes that are trashed. I look like crap and will struggle to get through TSA even with my precheck pass. “Hey, do you know where I can get some clothes and shoes?” I ask the guy behind the register.
He looks me up and down, clearly judging me for what I appeared to be in my torn and ripped clothes. “There’s a homeless—”
“No,” I correct him. “A store. I can buy clothes. Something close. I’m on my way to the airport.”
He doesn’t look convinced but tells me there’s a store a couple doors down. I take my goodies, opening one of the Red Bulls and slamming it while making my way to the store. It’s as I expected, a tourist trap with Hawaiian shirts and the usual shorts and sandals. Now is not the time to be fussy. I quickly pick out an outfit, pay for it and ask to change in their changing room.
I leave the store, feeling a little more human.
I use my new phone to call my partner. I know he’s going to be worried. At least I hope he’s worried and not angry. “Jack, it’s me,” I say when he picks up.
“Travis?” he says with shock in his voice.
“It’s me.”
“What the hell?” he asks. “I’ve been fielding calls left and right. Where are you?”
“Hawaii.”
“Where’s the jet?”
“About a hundred feet underwater in the Pacific Ocean. Right where I parked it.”
“Please tell me you’re joking,” he groans.
“Nope. Down. Kaput. No more.”
“Are you okay?” he asks. “How are you even talking to me right now?”
“Skills and luck,” I tell him with a laugh.
“Did you really down that jet?”
“I did.”
“I don’t understand why you’re being so blase about this,” he says. “I’m speechless. How? I don’t understand how you’re alive or how you got there.”
“It’s a long story, but I’ll explain it when I get back.”
“What about the passenger? Paige something? I’ve had her law firm breathing down my neck. Of course, it has to be a lawyer you take down. They’re already screaming lawsuit. We didn’t even know if you were dead or alive. I still can’t believe I’m talking to you. I thought you were gone.”
“Don’t write my eulogy just yet. I’m headed to the airport, and I’ll be there tomorrow.”
”Travis, this is not good. Not good at all. You need to get back here as soon as possible. We have a disaster on our hands. We’re going to be slapped with a lawsuit. Insurance is a nightmare.”
I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair, feeling. ”I know, Jack. I”m trying to get there. Trust me, I didn’t intentionally fly into the ocean.”
He let out a long sigh. “I’m glad you’re alive. I really thought you were gone. We’ve had people searching for you. They said there was no chance for survival.”
“Trust me, I didn’t think there was,” I told him. “It was close, but we got close enough to a rock, some might call it an island. One of those search planes found us.”
“You’ve got nine lives my friend,” he chuckles. “I’ll see you soon. We’ll have to open a bottle of my good scotch. I’ve never got to sit down and throw one back with a ghost.”
I chuckle. “You got it. I’m going to head to the airport. This is my number for the time being.”
“Do you need money? I can wire something over or buy a ticket and have it waiting for you.”
“The only thing I walked away with is my wallet,” I tell him. “I’m good. Thanks, though. Don’t declare me dead yet.”
I end the call with him and manage to snare a cab to take me to the airport. It’s the usual hustle and bustle and line of cabs dropping people off. I suppose this is one benefit to not having any luggage. I don’t even have a carry on. I step into the airport and have to reorientate myself with how the system works. I haven’t had to purchase a ticket in an airport in years. I scan the boards, looking for flights that will get me home. I don’t care what airline I take.
The ringing of my new phone startles me. I’ve just made it to the airport. I grin when I see her name flashing on the screen. ”Miss me already?” I answer, my voice laced with amusement. Maybe I can stay one night in Hawaii. What’s the harm in putting off the investigation for a day?
Instead of a snappy reply or an invitation, I hear screaming. Paige’s screaming. “Let go of me!” I hear her shouting and what sounds like a scuffle.
My blood runs cold at the sound of her distress. ”What”s going on?” I demand, my heart pounding in my chest.
”They”re dragging me out of my hotel,” she shouts, her words rushed and frantic. ”I don”t know what”s happening, Travis, please help me!”
I feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I scan the crowded airport for any sign of a cab. The traffic outside is gridlocked, and there”s no way I”ll be able to get there in time if I wait for a ride. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a guy hopping off a motorcycle, and without hesitation, I rush over to him.
”Sorry, man,” I say, my words rushed as I grab the keys from his hand. ”Emergency.”
I don”t wait for a response as I hop onto the bike, revving the engine to life. “Where are you?” I shout into the phone. I can hear her shouting out streets and landmarks. I’ve been to Hawaii countless times, but I don’t know my way around all that well. I must pull over and pull up the map feature with her on speaker, still shouting and screaming. I knew she was staying at the Four Seasons. I see the street she called out in the beginning and give chase. At least I hope I’m giving chase. I weave through traffic, my heart pounding in my chest with each passing second. I have no idea what’s happening. Why is it happening? All I know is she needs me, and I can’t get to her.
I get lost and must backtrack. Suddenly I hear her shout out numbers and what I hope is a street name before the line goes dead. “Paige!” I scream at the phone in the holder. I know I look like a mad man. I don’t care. I’m going to be sick. I have to find her.
I realize I’m driving aimlessly. I need to stop and take a breath. Panic isn’t going to save her. The numbers she shouted before the line went dead echo through my mind. I quickly type them in, hoping the Google Map app will do its thing and tell me what I need to know. Fortunately, it does. A street address about three miles from me pops up.
I quickly rev the bike and take off. Once again, I’m weaving in and out of traffic, feeling the wind whip past me as I push my motorcycle riding skills to the limits. My heart is in my throat as I race towards the address Paige managed to convey before the call was cut off. Every second feels like an eternity, my mind consumed with worry for her safety.
I see the house and hope like hell it’s the right place. The house looks like every other house on the street. I have the wrong place. But I can’t take the chance. Then it dawns on me I am just me. I don’t have a weapon. I don’t know what I’m walking into.
I park the motorcycle a few houses down from the address, my heart pounding in my chest. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves as I make my way towards the house. The adrenaline is still coursing through my veins, driving me forward despite the uncertainty and fear gnawing at me.
I scan the area. There’s a dark SUV parked in the driveway. Do I knock on the door and politely ask them to return Paige? I don’t have a lot of experience with rescuing damsels in distress. All I can do is hope pure adrenaline will give me the fight I need to get her to safety.
I walk past the house once, trying to peer through the windows. Suddenly, I hear a man shouting followed by a woman screaming. A cold chill washes over me. It’s her. I’ve found her and she’s in trouble.