by Ron McGee
“You are visiting Andakar on your own?” The immigration official spoke perfect English with a slight British accent, holding out his hand for Ryan’s passport.
Ryan handed it over with a smile. “I’m with my cousin. She’s my legal guardian. This guy wouldn’t let her come with me.”
“Someone else will speak with your cousin. Thomas O’Hara,” he read, examining the passport carefully.
“Tommy,” Ryan said. “That’s what my friends call me.”
The official looked up at him with a cold, fake smile. “And what is the reason for your visit?”
“To see this incredible country—they say it’s bang on! We’re gonna go down to the beaches, and then, hopefully, get to do one of those zip-line tours through the jungle. You ever done that? The lads say it’s deadly cool.” Ryan told himself to tone it down a bit, he was sounding a little too Irish.
The official appraised him, then reached out a hand for his backpack. “You have no drugs?”
Drugs? Is that what this was about? “Absolutely not,” Ryan said. “I’d never do drugs.” That was one thing Ryan didn’t have to lie about.
The official looked through the bag, which contained mostly clothes, toiletries, a stash of chocolate, and a couple of baseball caps. “We have difficulties with young people believing they can come here and … party? That is the word, yes?”
“I’m just here to see your beautiful country,” Ryan said with complete conviction. The immigration official nodded, handing Ryan his backpack. With one efficient movement, he stamped the passport, then held it out.
“Enjoy your stay.”
“Thanks. I plan to.” Ryan took his passport and hurried away, trying to keep the grin off his face. Across the hall, he saw with relief that Tasha’s passport was also getting stamped. They’d done it.
But even more important, Ryan had made a discovery that he was just beginning to understand. The games he’d grown up playing with his parents, like “Follow-the-Monkey” and “I’ve Got a Secret,” weren’t just for fun. They were training exercises. Ryan’s parents had been secretly preparing him for this kind of assignment his entire life.
CHAPTER
16
PANAI,
ANDAKAR
Ryan had been right about the city—the streets of Panai were chaotic. The sidewalks were crammed with people pushing past one another, knocking into Ryan without a second thought as he tried to keep up with Tasha. A decrepit old bus spewed a cloud of exhaust right into his face as it pulled away from the curb. Ryan hacked and coughed, wishing he could stop at one of the countless vendors that lined the sidewalk and grab a drink. But Tasha never looked back, and he wasn’t about to risk losing her.
Ryan had traveled throughout Asia and his family had even lived in Bangkok for six months, but he had never seen such a vibrant display of color as here in Panai. Though the roads were dirty and most of the buildings in disrepair, everywhere Ryan looked there was purple, pink, orange, or yellow. It was as if the locals refused to allow the reality of their daily lives to define their world. The only thing detracting from the festive atmosphere was the presence of gray-uniformed soldiers with machine guns on every corner.
“We have to hurry,” Tasha said.
Ryan ran to catch up as she navigated through the crowd. “Where are we going?”
“Across town. We’ll stay with a friend tonight, then start out first thing in the morning.”
“Who’s this friend? Do they know where my dad is?”
Tasha never stopped scanning the faces around them as she answered. “Friends are people who help out the ERC. They provide places to stay, transportation, sometimes just information or access. They put themselves at risk every time they open their doors to us.”
Ryan and Tasha arrived at a large, open plaza teeming with people. An ornately carved pagoda occupied the center of the busy square. The pagoda’s roof, a carved dome that tapered to a long, thin spire, was almost four stories high and covered in gold leaf.
“Take my picture,” Tasha said. Ryan was confused by her goofy grin as she took a few steps backward so he could get a better shot. They didn’t have time for sightseeing! But Tasha was insistent, “Take my picture, Tommy.”
Ryan pulled out his phone, switching it to camera. As he raised it to snap a few pix, Tasha’s bizarre actions became clear. While he shot pictures, she was looking behind him, searching the crowd. Ryan realized he still had a lot to learn.
Tasha came close and whispered, “Cross the plaza to the opposite side, then keep going straight down the street on the other side. Be natural, not obvious. Take your time. You’re a tourist.” She started to walk away.
“Where are you going?”
“I want to make sure we’re clear before we travel to the safe house.” Before Ryan could protest, Tasha was gone, disappearing like a ghost into the crowd. His instinct was to look for anyone following them, but he stopped, reminding himself to be natural. He was a tourist.
Ryan made his way across the plaza, focusing on the pagoda. It was pretty awesome, covered in intricate carvings and surrounded on all sides by hundreds of small sculptures of the Buddha. He stopped in front of a sign, reading that the Ashoka Temple was over two thousand years old.
As he passed the entrance, Ryan noticed an old monk, bald and wrapped in a blood-red robe, watching him. The monk smiled and bowed slightly. With a nod of his head, Ryan returned the bow and was surprised when the monk stepped forward. The man took Ryan’s hand and gently slipped a string bracelet around his wrist. It was simple but beautiful, with interwoven strands of red and yellow.
“Tasmati ca niva,” the monk said, bowing once more. Ryan had no idea what he was saying.
“It is a blessing,” said a passing woman, noticing Ryan’s uncertainty. “Very good luck. You say, ‘Tin ba dai.’”
Ryan turned back to the monk, making another small bow, the bracelet firmly in place. “Tin ba dai,” he repeated, then faced the helpful woman. “Thank you.”
But she was looking beyond him now, her expression darkening. She nodded curtly and abruptly walked away. Ryan turned to see what had spooked her: One of the soldiers was staring right at him with suspicion. Ryan gave what he hoped was an innocent smile, and then started across the plaza once more.
Making it to the other side, he crossed the street, as Tasha had instructed. He kept walking, unsure how far he should go. What if they really were being followed? If something had happened to Tasha, he had no idea where he was supposed to go or what he should do. Only now, standing by himself in the middle of this busy foreign city did Ryan realize how alone he’d be if he lost Tasha. He didn’t know anybody here, didn’t know the language, and had no idea how he’d ever find Dad on his own. And if he didn’t find his dad, how could he hope to help his mom? He felt his stomach twisting, panic threatening as the minutes dragged by.
Where was she?
The screech of tires startled Ryan and he whirled around. An old Peugeot hatchback that had seen better days stopped at the curb, the passenger door swinging open and nearly hitting him.
“Get in,” Tasha commanded from the driver’s side.
Ryan didn’t hesitate, jumping in and slamming the door closed. The car’s engine made a grinding noise as Tasha shifted into gear and sped off.
“Where’d you get this?” Ryan asked.
“Stole it,” Tasha said matter-of-factly. Ryan stared at her—was she being serious? Seeing his expression, she rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, we’ll give it back. Eventually.”
Ryan leaned back against the seat. “So we’re thieves now.”
Tasha grinned. “You’re just like your father.” The way she said it, Ryan knew it wasn’t meant as a compliment.
CHAPTER
17
PANAI,
ANDAKAR
Darkness had fallen by the time the Peugeot rattled to a stop on one of Panai’s countless winding roads. This neighborhood was more residential, the streets lined wit
h apartment buildings, most of which were falling apart. Telephone cables and power lines snaked through the air, and the sounds of families eating and laughing wafted from open windows.
“We have to hurry,” Tasha said, getting out of the car. “The show starts in less than five minutes.”
“What show?” Ryan grabbed his backpack, following as she moved quickly down the street.
“You’ll see.” Ryan was almost getting used to the way Tasha seldom answered a question directly. He didn’t even bother asking anything further because he had the feeling she kind of enjoyed tormenting him.
They made it to the end of the block. Tasha paused, confirming once more that they were in the clear, before she turned the corner onto a busier street. A few storefronts away, a small crowd of adults and children were gathered on the sidewalk. As Tasha and Ryan approached, the group began filing inside what Ryan could now see was a theater. The marquee was in a language Ryan couldn’t read, but it was translated into English at the bottom: “Mama Nan’s Marionette Theater!”
“Puppets?”
Tasha didn’t even bother to respond, mixing in with the patrons as they drifted inside. Ryan followed, falling into step beside two chattering younger kids.
The theater wasn’t very big, but was surprisingly nice, with red velvet seats for the audience and heavy curtains on all sides. Down front, the proscenium surrounding the stage was decorated to look like an imperial palace. Almost as soon as Ryan and Tasha took their seats, the lights dimmed and the curtain rose.
A gong struck three times, then a burst of music erupted, a strange melody of ill-timed drumbeats and tinkling bells. Against a mountain landscape backdrop, two marionettes appeared, their strings rising above their heads to where the unseen puppet masters controlled them. The puppets were tall and elaborately decorated. One appeared to be a demon of some kind, with emerald-green skin, red-jeweled eyes, and fangs like a vampire; the other was a young princess with silk robes that twirled when she spun around.
Ryan was so transfixed by the show that he jerked in shock when a hand grabbed his shoulder. He spun around to find a young man right behind their seats. The man put a finger to his lips and motioned for them to follow. Tasha got up immediately and slipped out. Ryan cast one sidelong glance back at the show, then joined them.
Moving through the shadows, they followed the young man behind the stage. All around, lifeless marionettes hung from the ceiling, seeming to stare at Ryan as he passed. Backstage, the magic was gone. These puppets gave Ryan the creeps.
They arrived at a rickety wooden stairway and the young man motioned for them to go up alone. He disappeared into the shadows and Ryan followed Tasha up the steep stairway. At the top was a single door that she entered without hesitating. As Ryan came in, Tasha closed the door behind him.
“What do we do now?” The distraction of the theater already fading, Ryan was anxious to get started. The flight to Andakar had taken almost a full day, and he couldn’t stop worrying about his parents.
“Now,” Tasha said, “we sleep.”
“What? I don’t want to sleep—I want to find my dad.”
Tasha tossed down her bag. “My contact in Panai says it’s not safe for him to meet until ten tomorrow morning. And you barely slept on the plane. In the ERC, one of the first things you learn is to sleep when you can. You may not get another chance for a long time.” Tasha looked over the room, which had a small sink in the corner and a large worktable filled with string, wood, and paint for making marionettes. “Not bad for a crash pad.”
Ryan watched in disbelief as Tasha bunched up some fabric to create a makeshift pillow, then settled down to sleep. She glanced up at him. “Seriously. There’s nothing we can do right now.” She turned over to face the wall, ending the conversation.
Ryan crossed the room and sat, discouraged and angry. He’d brought a stash of chocolate and grabbed a small square from his backpack. Unfortunately, it did nothing to help his anxiety. He pulled a photograph from his pocket, unfolding it to see his mom and dad smiling back at him. It was a family picture taken on one of their countless camping expeditions. Though he was still upset by the secrets they’d been keeping, all he cared about was getting his parents back home. The fear that he might never see either of them again was overwhelming.
After a few minutes, Ryan was surprised to hear steady breathing coming from Tasha. She really did know how to grab sleep when she could!
But Ryan couldn’t just do nothing. Time was of the essence. Folding the picture and returning it to his pocket, he looked back to the window. Outside, a fire escape led to the roof. He quietly pulled out his cell phone and powered it on. Because of all his traveling, Ryan had a phone that could work pretty much anywhere in the world as long as it had a signal.
Ryan crept over and raised the window carefully. With one last glance at Tasha, he stepped out onto the fire escape.
CHAPTER
18
PANAI,
ANDAKAR
From the roof, Ryan could see Panai extending in all directions. For a city this large, there was surprisingly little light, not at all like the near-constant brightness of New York. The phone beeped as it finished powering up and connected to the local service carrier. Ryan was excited to discover he had two voice mails. He hit the play button, praying one of them was from his dad.
But the first was Danny, telling Ryan he had some new information and to call no matter what time it was. He hit play on the second message.
“Ryan, it’s Mom. I’m okay …”
Hearing his mother’s voice, Ryan was flooded with relief. She was still alive! He hadn’t even realized how scared he was that it might already be too late to save her. At least now he knew he had a chance. But his hope was dashed as the message continued.
“I’ve told these men we don’t know about any of this—”
Aung Win’s gruff voice barked through the speaker. “Four days. You will produce Myat Kaw or you will never hear Jacqueline Quinn’s voice again.”
“Let go!” Jacqueline’s tone was indignant, but then the message abruptly cut off.
Ryan stared at the phone a moment. He felt so powerless. But he knew sitting up here agonizing about his mom’s situation wouldn’t help her—he needed to do something. He dialed Danny’s number. Whatever information he’d found might be useful. The time difference between here and New York was twelve hours, so Danny would be in school now. The phone rang three times, and Ryan worried that Danny wouldn’t answer.
“Ohmygod, dude, you’re still alive!” Danny’s hushed voice over the line made Ryan instantly feel a little better.
“Yeah, we made it to Andakar. But we still don’t know where my dad is.”
“Hold on,” Danny whispered. Ryan could hear shuffling and realized Danny was hiding his phone. “Miss Ellison, so sorry—kind of a crisis—can I run to the bathroom?” Ryan couldn’t hear Miss Ellison’s response, but he assumed it wasn’t positive because Danny suddenly wailed, “Ooooo! Total emergency! Maybe both ends!” That must’ve done the trick because he could hear Danny moving now. “Thanks, Miss Ellison!”
Moments later, Danny had made it out of the classroom. “You owe me,” he told Ryan. “I’m gonna be living that down for years.”
“Did you find anything?”
“Maybe. I took your dad’s computer with me and spent last night digging through it. He had some pretty impressive encryption.”
“But you got in?”
“It took a while, but yeah. I got a little obsessed. Deep down in one of the root directories, I found a whole group of deleted emails from right before your dad left.”
“How’d you find them if they were deleted?” Ryan asked.
“Delete doesn’t really get rid of anything from your computer. It just hides it. If you know where to look, you can find it again. The thing is, it’s gonna take me a while to put the emails into a shape where we can read them. Right now, it’s like they went through a paper shredder—all lit
tle bits of data that have to be put back together.”
Ryan was disappointed. “So they’re no real help?”
“Slow down, Dr. Downer, I’m not done yet. I was able to find an IP address in the email headers. The IP address tells you where the emails were sent from.”
“This is the good news part, right?”
Danny didn’t hide his excitement. “All the emails came from Panai!”
“Myat Kaw,” Ryan said, getting a first tingling of hope. “It had to be Myat Kaw and my dad arranging the rescue.”
“That’s what I figured, too. The problem is, I can’t get a physical address from an IP number. I’ve got my desktop at home running a program to patch the emails back together, but so far the only helpful thing I dug up was the name Kali Thawar. It came up a few times in the last couple of emails.”
Ryan started back toward the fire escape. “I’ll ask Tasha. Maybe she knows what it is.”
“Hello? Did I say I was finished?” Danny chided. “I did some research and found out that the Kali Thawar is this hotel that was built there by the British back in the early 1900s. Google says it closed down years ago but doesn’t say what it is today. It’s about a mile from where you are right now.”
“You know where I am?”
“I’m looking at your location on that cell tracker app I created. It uses your phone’s GPS—but I can only see you if your cell’s on. I’m texting you the address now.”
Ryan finally had something he could use. “Okay, I’m gonna check it out. Thanks. I’ll have to turn off the phone to save the battery, but I’ll call you if anything comes up.” Ryan ended the call and stepped back onto the fire escape stairs.
For a moment, he considered waking up Tasha and telling her about the old hotel. But she’d just want to wait until morning. This was Ryan’s first real lead to find his dad, and he wasn’t willing to waste another second.
