Chapter 8
The captain’s voice crackled over the intercom, announcing the commencement of their descent into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and warning of low clouds and a steady drizzle upon arrival. The ambient lighting in the cabin shifted from dim violet back to a clinical, bright white, waking the remaining passengers and sending a rustle of movement through the rows as people began adjusting their clothing and gathering their belongings. Elena felt a cold bead of sweat track down the back of her neck. Descent meant landing, and landing meant stepping off the aircraft into a controlled environment where she had no control over who might be waiting at the arrival gate. Apex Logistics had regional security teams stationed at every major West Coast hub, and if her superiors had traced her communications or realized she had downloaded the master compliance logs onto her tablet, they would already know which flight she was on. She looked across at Maya, who was quietly zipping up her pink backpack and sliding her arms through the straps with practiced independence. The blue hoodie looked entirely ordinary, a common garment worn by millions of school children, making Maya invisible to the casual observer—which was precisely why her father had chosen her to carry the drive. “Maya,” Elena said quietly, leaning across the aisle as much as the narrow space allowed. “When we land, people might be waiting. People who look very polite and official, but are not your friends.” Maya paused, her small hands gripping the shoulder straps of her backpack tightly. “My dad told me to look for Uncle Marcus,” Maya said, her voice dropping to a cautious whisper. “He works at the union hall. He drives a red pickup truck and has a scar over his left eyebrow.” Elena nodded quickly, her mind racing to calculate the safest path through the terminal to bypass the corporate reception committees. “Listen to me carefully,” Elena instructed, her voice steady and commanding. “When we get off the plane, stay right behind me. Don't speak to anyone, no matter how nice they sound. We are going to move fast, and we are going to find Marcus together.”
