“It makes perfect sense.”
Celeste looked at Maya.
“Ethan wasn’t trying to protect you from the trap.”
Her next words were almost a whisper.
“He built the trap around you.”
PART 6
THE GHOST WHO BETRAYED HER TWICE
Maya entered the cockpit alone.
The F-16 flew beside Flight 417.
Its running lights glowed through the storm.
Ethan was inside.
Alive.
Real.
And apparently responsible for bringing her into the most dangerous night of her life.
Maya picked up the radio.
“You have ten seconds.”
“Maya—”
“Nine.”
“Celeste is telling the truth.”
Her face went still.
Behind her, Captain Reeves whispered, “Oh God.”
Maya ignored him.
“Why?”
“The network stopped communicating electronically two years ago. No messages. No transfers. No names. Nothing we could prosecute.”
“So you used me.”
“Yes.”
The simplicity of the answer hurt more than a lie.
“You used Leo.”
“No.”
“He is on this aircraft.”
“I never knew Reeves would choose Flight 417 until forty-eight hours ago.”
