“I don’t know if this counts,” Philby said, “but when you stand in line for Nemo, over at Epcot, the ocean is painted above you. You’re literally under the sea.”

“I like it,” Finn said. He wrote it down.

“The same thing’s true at Hollywood Studios,” Willa said. “On the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, you stand under the sea while waiting.”

“Okay…Okay…” Maybeck said, finally going along. “I don’t know if this counts, but there’s this poster my little sister loves. Always points it out. It’s by the Mickey’s PhilharMagic line. I’m pretty sure it’s says something like ‘A Must Sea,’ spelled S-E-A.”

“That definitely counts,” Finn said, writing this down as well. “Anything else anyone can think of?”

One by one, the others either shook their heads or shrugged.

“It’s a lot. And they’re spread all over the place.”

“It’s a waste of time,” Maybeck cautioned. “It’s just a song.”

“You have your assignment,” Finn said. “Philby will stay and try to figure out the Park’s sound system. Get on to VMK if you can and find Wayne.” He explained how to use the Disney vacation kiosk in Camp Minnie-Mickey. “Maybe he can help.” He turned to Amanda. “You will keep watch for Jez using the Animal Cam at the Conservation Station. Willa will take Ariel’s Grotto and Mickey’s PhilharMagic—both in Magic Kingdom. I’ll take Nemo and the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Maybeck, you stay and keep after the monkey and bat. Follow the clues in the diary, working with Charlene. Any problems?”

To his surprise, no one complained or tried to change the assignments. Maybe he actually was the leader.

“All of us have to study this page from the diary. We each have a copy. We need to write down where we’ve seen any of these animals, or images of these animals. This building she drew…this dude wearing a turban. And I’ll call Rob, since his name keeps coming up.”

He met eyes—tired eyes—with Maybeck, and saw Maybeck’s frustration and impatience.

“I’m open to suggestions,” Finn offered.

A silence hung heavily in the air.

It was broken by the music beginning again. “Under the Sea.” Playing now for the third time in a row.

“Two hours,” Maybeck said. “We meet back here.” “Agreed,” Finn said.

The kids scattered.

26

LIKE THE OTHERS, Willa had put her Animal Kingdom Cast Member costume on over her regular clothes. She’d slipped out of the AK costume and had tucked it into a bush outside the gates of the Magic Kingdom. Using the ID Wayne had given her, she was admitted through the CAST MEMBER ONLY line.

She stopped at a pay phone and called her mother. This was critical, because shed sneaked out in the early hours of the morning before, saying she’d gone to Mass. She did this on her own periodically—something her mother found “dear”—so she knew it wouldn’t raise a suspicion. Her mother was no longer a churchgoer, not since her father’s accident, so the only excuse she had to make now concerned what she was doing with her morning.

“I’m at Disney World,” she told her mother, settling for the truth. For all she knew, the pay phone’s caller ID had already given her away.

“But you’re not allowed. They’ll pull our pass if they catch you.”

“It’s important.”

“What could be that important?”

“I’m doing it for a friend.”

“Doing what?”

“Research.”

“You’re not tangled up with those other kids again, are you?”

“They’re my friends, Mom.”

“They got you into a lot of trouble last time.”

“I’ll be home…later. I’ll call if it’s going to be after dark.”

“It is not going to be after dark, young lady. I want you home by five.”

“I can’t promise that.”

“You can, and you will. I’m still your mother, and if I say five, then it’s five. And remember: stay away from the Magic Kingdom. If they make us give that money back…”

“They won’t, Mom. I’ll call. I love you, Mom.” She hung up. Her mother hadn’t been herself since the accident. In some ways the two of them were closer; in other ways they’d kind of traded roles: Willa felt more like the parent. She wondered why certain things happened in life—happened to some people but not others. Why had she become a DHI? How very different her life would be had she never auditioned for the part. Now she was caught up in something few would believe; she didn’t even believe it herself some of the time. Rescuing a girl who could dream the future? It sounded so stupid. And yet…

She kept her head down on the way to Ariel’s Grotto. If she was spotted, she’d be mobbed by autograph seekers. If busted by Security, they would throw her out and take action. She hoped the little bit of makeup she had on would help disguise her. She promised herself to keep a low profile and get this over with as quickly as possible.

She charged a princess wig and Disney hat onto her credit card. A khaki-colored baseball cap, it was a little large for her head, but it held down the red wig and hid her face well. She walked briskly and turned off Main Street as soon as possible, cutting in along the Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor and looping around toward the grotto. Not a single glance in her direction. The disguise was working.

She stopped at the tentlike structure bearing the name ARIEL’S GROTTO and studied the marquee. It held just the two words with an image of Ariel between them. Some fake flags flew.

If she remembered correctly from the night before, the Ariel parade float was adorned with colorful sculptures of Sebastian, Scuttle, Triton, and Ursula. Did Jez’s musical clue have anything to do with the parade?

After a long wait in line, she stood inside the grotto, where girls lined up to meet Ariel and have their pictures taken with her. She was posed inside a giant clam shell.

“Under the Sea,” Willa was thinking, searching for a possible connection to Jez’s disappearance. The song played repeatedly inside the grotto. With it, she felt a tangible connection to the missing Jez.

Something in here is important to Jez.…

She made herself believe this, having no idea whether or not it was true.

She was now third in line, behind mothers with their daughters lined up to get their photos taken. Behind Ariel, large colorful starfish clung to the aquamarine wall, and next to her was a small wooden chest.

Nothing here seemed of interest save for the chest, the possible contents of which intrigued her. What was in the chest? It looked to be nothing more than a prop—something for young girls to lean against while getting their photos taken. But oh, how Willa wanted a look inside.

She stepped forward, now second in line.

A girl and her mother got their picture taken. The Cast Member playing Ariel was beautiful. She spoke politely to both the mother and daughter, then glanced ahead to Willa.

She motioned Willa forward.

“I think we have something in common,” she said softly. She’d seen past the wig and hair, recognizing Willa.

“Don’t tell,” Willa pleaded. “Please?”

“No way!” Then louder, for others to hear. “Would you like your picture taken?”

“I forgot my camera.”

“Well, then.” Ariel extended her hand for Willa to shake. “Nice to meet you.” She lowered her voice, “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“I have a favor to ask,” Willa said.

“I’m really just here for handshakes and photographs.”

“The treasure chest,” Willa said, pointing to the wooden trunk. “What’s inside?”

“No idea.” Realizing others were listening, she addressed everyone. “I’ve never opened it.”

“Could you please?”

“I’ve never been asked.”

“If you don’t mind?” Willa said.

Ariel clearly didn’t know what to do. She kept her composure, but her eyes wandered as if a handler might step forward to help her. In fact, that was exactly what happened.

“May I help?” a young woman asked.

“This young lady would like me to open the treasure chest,” Ariel explained.