“This plane’s got two tanks, one on each wing, both of ’em mighty big. It would’ve taken five or six gallons each to mess her up that bad.”

I tried to picture Carlos lugging gallon jugs of water across the tarmac. I realized that it didn’t make much sense.

“Of course, there’s the hose,” Martin added. “He could’ve stuck the hose in each tank and let it run for a while. Probably would’ve been enough time. The passenger held things up for a good while, doing something on his computer, then making a call from the pay phone before he was ready to go.”

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and said a prayer of thanks.

“Carlos was here,” I said softly, opening my eyes. “He’s still here somewhere. I just know it.”

Martin and Angelina seemed to agree. We headed outside and looked out across the expanse of the runway. It was getting dark now with orange and purple streaks across the western sky. If Carlos were hiding around the perimeter in the woods, soon it would be too dark to find him.

Martin ran off to the building to get flashlights and spread the word. Though I hated the thought of having the press involved, I knew they could be useful. I gave Angelina my phone and told her to call the police while I went over to the small crowd of reporters that was quickly streaming out from inside the building. I waited until they were all out there facing me before I held up a hand for silence. When things were quiet, I spoke.

“We now have reason to believe that Carlos Smythe was here at this airport this afternoon when Alan Bennet was apprehended. The buildings have all been searched as well as all of the planes. Carlos is not there. That means he could be out in the woods or the surrounding area, and we’ve got to find him.”

They all began shouting questions at once, but again I held up my hand for silence. With bright lights shining in my face, I was aware that I was probably being broadcast live on television, and I wondered if Marion was watching, if she knew that, finally, there was some hope of finding her grandson.

“You reporters have lights,” I said. “Lights for your cameras, lights on your cars and vans. Mr. Van Buren, here, is going to divide the surrounding area into grids. We need each of you to spread out and start searching, at least until the police arrive and can take over. Hurry up, people. We may not have much time.”

Everyone sprang into action at once. And though two of the television reporters chose to film and report on the action rather than become part of the search, everyone else was quite helpful, yelling Carlos’ name and taking their orders from Martin.