Page 36 of Hidden Depths

“We got the guy in the end, so in my book that made it worth it. I didn’t want to tell you because it’s awful stuff, and the last thing I wanted was to scare you away. It’s why I’m on this vacation. I’m recovering, and I’m not great on my own. I get inside my own head and think too much about what happened. I just want a break.”

“How—” She pressed her lips together, then said, “How long were you…how long did they have you?”

“A few hours.”

She took one of his hands and turned it over, examining the lesions. “That’s so awful.”

He rested his other hand over hers, and she looked up at him. His stomach churned. The intimacy of the moment brought out a vulnerability he wasn’t prepared for.

“I’m okay.”

“I couldn’t even imagine what that would have been like.”

“Don’t try. Please.”

She dropped his hand and took a step back. “I’m glad you told me. I’m sure you’re used to being in control. Admitting that you’re struggling wouldn’t be easy.”

“It’s not. But I feel like you understand.”

“I do.”

He was about to spill everything he knew about her. He wanted to draw her close again, but she spoke first.

“All right. You got me. There’s a market on Tuesday. How about we meet there?”

“A market? Right. Yes. Tuesday. That sounds great.”

“Great. See you then.”

He watched her walk away, ignoring a pang of guilt for manipulating her into seeing him again. But what he meant to be lies hovered awfully close to the truth. He’d never been so honest with anyone before. And he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.

After wiping his hands on the stiff napkin, he tossed it in a nearby trashcan, then left in the opposite direction to Sara before quickly circling around so he could follow her home.

If her location had been compromised, time was the most vital of commodities. She couldn’t afford to keep her home a secret from him.

He jumped a fence, then hurried down a small alley, expecting to come out onto the street behind her, but when he reached the road, she was nowhere to be seen.

After checking several nearby streets, he threw up his hands in defeat. He’d either lost her, or she lived close enough that she’d already slipped inside. Or maybe she didn’t trust him as much as he thought, and she’d gotten out of sight as soon as she could.

Chapter10

Tom had spentthe night changing his mind back and forth about whether or not to bring Armstrong in on the situation, but as he stood on the balcony watching the sky lighten with the rising sun, he knew it was too risky to leave things as they were. It may have been different if he knew where Sara lived and could keep an eye on her, but he’d have to wait until the next day before he’d see her again, and he was concerned that would be too late. If he could get Armstrong on side, he’d have more resources at his disposal.

Pulling out his phone, he noticed the time. After taking into account the one-hour time difference, he still had several hours before his boss would be at work.

He stalked through the house drinking coffee, and, after checking the time every five minutes, he gave up on waiting and changed for a run. The exercise would help burn off some of his pent-up energy and hopefully help him clear his head.

* * *

The first couple of miles, he set a good pace. He hadn’t realized it, but this was exactly what he needed. He was more focused and confident than he’d felt in a while.

After the next mile, he came across two people on the beach. One was a broad-shouldered man, and the other, he realized as he passed, was a woman. She sat hunched, and it looked like the man was leaning over her. Threatening her.

Tom circled around and ran up to them. “Hey! What’s going on over here?”

They both jumped, the man stepping back.

“Are you okay?” Tom asked the woman. She had been crying.

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