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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.
