The thing about me is: I’m quite good at bossing my brain about. It can forget about Visa bills if I want it to, and it can blur over arguments, and it can see the plus side in almost any situation. And now I’m telling it to remember. To go into all those old dusty holes in my head, which I never bother clearing out, and remember. Because I know there was something else…I simply know there was….

Yes!

“He used to put an eagle in each picture, like a trademark….”

My eyes pop open. An eagle. I knew there was something. Well, it’s not much, but it’s a start, isn’t it?

I whip out my phone, google corey artist eagle las vegas, and wait for the results. There’s something wrong with the signal, and I prod the keypad impatiently, trying to scour my brain for more information. Corey the artist. Corey the wealthy one. Corey the science grad. Were there any other clues?

“I’ve just heard from my last contact,” says Alicia, looking up from her phone. “No luck. Suze…” She pauses, her face drawn. “We might have to go back to L.A. and think again.”

“Give up?” Suze’s face crumples, and I feel a pang of alarm. We’ve come rushing into the desert on a wave of adrenaline and drama. If we just give up and go home now, I think Suze will actually collapse.

“Let’s not give up yet,” I say, trying to sound positive. “I’m sure if we keep thinking we’ll get somewhere—”

“Oh, really, Bex?” Suze spits. “It’s all very well saying that, but what are you doing to help? Nothing! What are you doing right now?” She waves a hand angrily at my phone. “Probably shopping online.”

“I’m not!” I say defensively. “I’m doing my own research.”

“Research into what?”

My stupid screen has frozen. I press ENTER again, jabbing at it in my impatience.

“Luke, you must have influence!” Mum interjects. “You know the prime minister. Can’t he help?”

“The prime minister?” Luke sounds flabbergasted.

Suddenly my screen starts filling with Google results. And as I scan down the type, I feel an inner whoop. It’s him! It’s Corey from Dad’s trip!

Local artist Corey Andrews…signature eagle…was exhibiting at the Las Vegas Gallery…

It has to be him, surely?

I quickly tap in Corey Andrews and hold my breath. A few moments later, a page of entries appears. There’s a Wikipedia page, business reports, property news, some company called Firelight Innovations, Inc.—all the same guy. Corey Andrews of Las Vegas. I’ve found him!

“Or that chap you know from the Bank of England,” Mum is persisting.

“You mean the Governor of the Bank of England?” says Luke, after a pause.

“Yes, him! Ring him up!”

I almost want to laugh at Luke’s expression. I honestly think Mum expects him to marshal the whole British cabinet to come out here and hunt for Dad.

“I’m not sure that will be possible,” says Luke politely, and turns to Alicia. “Do you really have no more leads?”