So moved by the story, Avery decided to look up the old footage. It was how she ended up this afternoon strapped behind the wheel of a minivan that was parked inside a high school aquatics center, with a television crew ready to film the action. Today, the action would be a giant crane lifting the van over the pool and dropping it, and Avery, to the bottom. Cameras situated under the water would capture Avery’s attempt to escape from the submerged vehicle. She was, without doubt or shame, scared to death.

She knew America had loved Mack Carter for the stunts he performed, and Avery could think of no better way to wrap up her first full season as host of American Events than with a nod to her predecessor. Today’s taping was her right of passage. This would be her last episode before summer sabbatical. A summer that was sure to be the most trying of her life. She was following a lead out of New York that she thought had potential—the remains of a woman killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks had just been identified using promising new DNA technology, and Avery wanted the chance to tell the story. If she made it through today’s stunt, she was off to New York to chase some leads.

At least, that was her story. She thought it was the perfect cover.

CHAPTER 2 - Los Angeles, CA Friday, May 14, 2021

CHAPTER 2

Los Angeles, CA Friday, May 14, 2021

THE HONDA MINIVAN WAS PARKED ON A HYDRAULIC LIFT ON THE SIDE of the Los Angeles high school swimming pool. Avery chose the make and model because of their connection to the middle class. The minivan was among the most commonly driven vehicles in the United States. Sinking a sixty-thousand-dollar BMW in a high school swimming pool might be exciting to watch, but demonstrating to stay-at-home mothers how to escape their sunken vehicle was much better accomplished using an average, run-of-the-mill automobile.

Avery checked the seat belt buckle for the third time in less than a minute. Christine Swanson, her executive producer, leaned through the open driver’s side window.

“Good?” she asked.

Avery nodded.

“Show me the abort sign again,” Christine said.

Avery took the four fingers on her right hand and waved them back and forth in front of her throat.

“If you ever get panicked, or just can’t remember what to do, give the abort signal and the divers will have you out in ten seconds. Got it?”

Avery nodded.

“Words, Avery! I need to hear your voice.”

“Yes, Christine! I’ve got it, for Christ’s sake. Let’s go.”

“We’re about to sink you, and the car you’re sitting in, to the bottom of a swimming pool,” Christine said in a calm voice, trying to control the panicked moment. “I want to make sure your head is in the right place.”