Page 102 of No Going Back

“I guess he didn’t realize the diner recently had security cameras installed on the front door. It’s the only piece of footage I found.”

“No view of the truck’s plates,” Ryan said.

“Didn’t need them. I traced the truck by its logo, the company patched me through to the driver. He remembers Tyler. Guys, he dropped him at San Diego airport.”

Various curses spread around the room.

“Please tell me we can track him by his passport?” Sam asked.

“That’s just it. His passport hasn’t been used to buy any ticket.”

“Do you think he got a fake one somewhere?” Mackie said.

“Wouldn't be difficult for him. He used to get fake ID all the time when he was younger.” Sam glanced around the table and his eyes rested on Dex, who had turned his back on the rest of them. That wasn’t like him.

“I spoke to Dale. He sent a couple of agents over to the airport to review camera footage, but I doubt they’ll get anything. Tyler’s too good for that. I’ve requested the passenger manifests of outgoing flights since the time the truck driver said he dropped him, but...” Kelly paused briefly, checking something. “They’re not playing nice. Sam?”

“I’m on it.” Sam immediately got on the phone.

“How’s Mira?” Donnie asked as the team waited.

“Her doctor said the lung’s healing well. He’s hopeful they might be able to bring her out of the coma today. If that goes well and she’s stable, they can transport her to Westside.”

“That’s great news.”

“Yeah, it is. She may not come around right away. We were warned it can take a while.”

Sam rejoined them. “Kelly you’ll have the lists in the next ten minutes.” Sam watched Dex, who still hadn’t moved. Something was clearly bothering him.

“There’s a chance he didn’t get on any plane. Doubled back to throw us off,” Ryan pointed out.

“No. He got on a plane,” Dex murmured, finally turning around.

“Care to elaborate?” Sam said.

Dex looked at Mackie. “Can you pull up a list of the outgoing flights?”

Mackie had the list up in seconds. Dex leaned over the table, scanning the list. Tapping one of the flights, he brought the details up for everyone to see, then he looked at Sam.

“He got on that flight.”

Everyone studied the screen and frowned. The flight was to Pakistan. Where Aziz was located.

“He’s going after Aziz. On his own.” The strain in Dex’s voice clearly evident.

“Kelly, check this manifest first. Let’s be sure,” Sam said. “Dex, let’s step outside for a minute.”

No sooner were they outside the war room, Dex turned to face him. “I don’t need a lecture, Sam, I feel guilty enough.”

“I wasn’t about to give you one,” he said quietly. “Tyler’s angry. I was right there when he said he wanted to go and find Reborn, too. None of us anticipated he would do this.”

“No. But I fucking agreed with him. That we needed to go hunt them down and end this. That probably fueled him to do something about it. I screwed up.”

“He’s a grown man, Dex. He made this decision.”

Dex sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was pissed at him, Sam. He was hitting my buttons and I let it get to me.”

“I know you, Dex, so does your team. You pull rank when you need to, but then it’s done. Tyler knows that.” He’d seen it dozens of times with Dex. He got his team in order when needed, but then he drew a line and moved on. The sign of a great team leader.

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