Page 144 of The Session

“It takes, like, a week to get there,” Tru pointed out.

“We were going to fly and send the boat ahead so we had a place to stay.” Lightman glanced at Mark, who was trying to hide his expression.

“I know how bad it sounds,” Lightman admitted.

“So we take the boat,” Marnie suggested.

“Maybe that’s what Morris wants,” Lightman argued. “It’s what I did with the IRS case, and as much as I’d like to pretend it looked like I was in control, the board probably saw it the other way. Which I guess is what this is really about . . .”

“Morris is trying to either put you in the hands of the Europeans or make you flee,” Tru said.

“But if you take the yacht to Miami . . .” said Mark.

“That’d take about twenty-four hours if we’re being aggressive. And assuming the seas are still calm, which they have been,” Lightman said, finally focusing.

“When you normally make the trip, what route do you take?” Mark asked.

“We basically head northwest out of here, pass by Nassau, and sometimes stop at Bimini on the way to Miami.”

“And if you were going to go to Belize?” Mark asked.

“We’d go by the southern tip of the Bahamas and then between Cuba and Key West. We can go the southernmost route too, if we want. The seas get a little choppier.”

“What if you make it look like you’re heading toward Belize?”

“We could do that. We can also tell the crew we’re headed there too, in case we have any loose lips, then shut off the Wi-Fi an hour or so in, then do a course correction. But why bother?” Lightman asked.

“Morris doesn’t know exactly what you’re going to do next, but he has a good idea of your options. Best case for him is either you get arrested at the airport or you flee for Belize. I’d let him think you’re doing the latter for as long as possible.”

“But we actually head to Miami . . .”

“Yes, and show up at the board meeting.”

“They might pull some stupid nonsense like calling it early,” Marnie pointed out.

“Tell them you want to be on the call. They’d have to notify you, right?”

“If they don’t, that would complicate things,” Lightman replied.

“Mark,” said Tru. “Tell me: Were you visualizing this as a football play?”

“No,” said Mark. “Football’s way easier.”

“Well, I think it’s a good strategy,” said Lightman. “Better to be two steps ahead by having him think we’re doing exactly what he wants us to do.”

Mark thought it over and realized there was another possibility. “Maybe we need to do something he’s not expecting . . .” he said.

“What do you mean?” Tru asked.

“The tender for The Logician—could it make it to Miami?” he asked.

“Yes. We’d need to refuel along the way. It would be a rough ride, but faster. Do you think we should take that instead of the yacht?” Lightman asked.

“Both. We send the yacht to Belize. Tell the crew you’re aboard, but we actually take the other boat.”

“We haven’t taken that on the ocean in years,” Marnie said.

“That’s the point,” Tru told her. “I get it. Morris won’t expect you to take the unusual or inconvenient way. And I’ve piloted The Tactician myself. We’d definitely have to refuel, though.”