A group of young women was declared old enough to marry today. The grand commander made me responsible for finding a way to distribute their photos and wedding costs. I am happy for the new job and distraction.
—The journal of Isaac Ryland
The road was pitch-black. Andrew had already had to pull over twice to refill the gas tank and the group still wasn’t getting any phone service. Zack kept raising the small device in the air, as if that would help him get a signal.
Andrew glanced in the rearview mirror. Trent was fast asleep and Carter was staring out the window. His face was covered with worry. Andrew knew why; after tonight they had two days to rescue his father. The two hadn’t had much time to discuss their options, but rescuing Rod was still Andrew’s top priority.
“Are we close to your old home?” Andrew asked.
“I don’t have a clue where we are,” Carter said.
“The mountains are starting to change to red,” Andrew said. “That’s how they looked from your backyard.”
“How can you tell in the dark?” Carter asked. “They all look the same to me.”
“Not the color,” Andrew said. “But the red mountains went flat on the top. The large peaks are disappearing; they’re starting to turn flat.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” Carter said.
Andrew glanced in the mirror again. Carter smiled a little. Their attention shifted when Zack’s phone made a noise. Andrew felt a vibration in his pocket. They were in a service area. Before Andrew could pull out his phone Zack was already dialing out.
“Don’t pull over,” Zack said. “We don’t have time.”
Andrew kept driving.
“Yes,” Zack said. “It’s me.”
Andrew knew it was going to get annoying only hearing one side of the conversation.
“How should I proceed? . . . Five days? . . . Shouldn’t be a problem . . . Can you locate my position? . . . Twelve hours? . . . It’s a relief to hear your voice too . . . Thank you. Good-bye.”
Zack hung up the phone. Andrew and Carter waited for him to speak.
“We are to head straight for the capital,” Zack said. “The operation is still going ahead as planned. We’re twelve hours away. Once we get closer I need to call for a rendezvous with Affinity’s local contact. We move ahead from there.”
Andrew pulled the car over.
“What are you doing?” Zack asked.
“Making my phone call,” Andrew said.
He unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out of the car.
“We can’t stop,” Zack said.
Andrew slammed the door, not caring about Zack’s rationale. His hand was shaking as he pulled out his phone, but he was too focused to notice. His fingers started punching in the number he’d obsessed over so many times the past week. The phone started to ring and Andrew felt his breath tighten. He was so hopeful she would answer his call.