Chapter 160: America.
The sun was setting on Tokyo as Lukas stepped out of the hotel lobby. The doorman bowed deeply, and waiting at the curbside was a long black 1999 Lincoln Town Car limousine, its polished body shining under the streetlights. The vehicle had been arranged by Henry’s people, along with a modest escort—two unmarked sedans ahead and behind, with plainclothes security sitting inside.
The driver, wearing a black cap and gloves, opened the door for him. Lukas stepped in, the leather interior creaking softly beneath him as he settled into the back seat. The soft hum of the engine and the low ambient light inside gave everything a calm air. On the seat next to him was a faxed envelope from Henry containing the documents for his chartered flight—details of his $125,000 flight arranged through a private aviation service based out of Narita. The destination was New York, direct and uninterrupted.
He opened the envelope and glanced at the flight manifest and itinerary. The plane, a Gulfstream IV, was one of the best available in the year 2000. It had two pilots, a dedicated stewardess, and a small crew for ground support. Lukas noticed a handwritten note from Henry as well:
"Enjoy the sky, boss. I even made sure your crew looks good."
The limo rolled through the heart of Tokyo. Lukas looked out the tinted window, watching the blur of city lights, the crowds moving across the pedestrian crossings, and the blinking advertisements. The city had grown on him, but he was ready to move to the next stage.
At Narita Airport’s private terminal, the Town Car pulled up directly in front of the security gate. A ground staff officer recognized the limo and quickly waved them through. The guards stepped out first, checking the area before Lukas exited.
The terminal wasn’t crowded. Instead, it was quiet and exclusive. A wide marble floor stretched ahead, gleaming under soft halogen lights. A red carpet was rolled out leading toward the boarding stairs of the aircraft.
Two air hostesses stood near the aircraft, dressed in stylish uniforms with classic 2000s cuts—sky-blue skirts, white gloves, and tidy caps. One of them, holding a clipboard, stepped forward.
"Mr. Lukas, welcome. Your aircraft is prepped and ready. May we escort you aboard?"
Lukas nodded casually, walking up the red carpet. He had seen many things over the past weeks, but this moment, this silence before flight, gave him a sense of what was next. The hostess opened the cabin door, and he stepped inside.
The Gulfstream’s interior was wood-paneled and warm, fitted with cream leather seats and golden fixtures. Lukas tossed his coat onto the opposite seat, reclined, and let out a slow breath.