Page 46 of Hidden Depths

“When you were tortured, did you know what the risks were before you went in? Did you know what might happen?”

“How does my answer help you to trust me?”

“Maybe it won’t. But you lied to me about it. I want to understand why you didn’t tell me in the first place. Why did you try to hide it?”

“I already told you.”

She shook her head. “I know about keeping stuff locked up inside. I’ve become very good at it. Too good. Maybe on the surface you didn’t want to scare me, but that’s not the only reason. I want to know the deep-down reason that you have trouble admitting even to yourself.”

Tom rested his hands on his hips and looked at the floor. “You drive a hard bargain.”

“I know.”

“I knew I would be tortured. It’s the reason I went in like I did.”

“You did it on purpose?”

“Yeah.”

“There was no other way?”

“Not that I could see.”

“Could you have died?”

“Yes.”

“And your team was happy to put your life in danger like that?”

“No. I went against orders.”

She got up off the floor. “Was it worth it?”

“I’m on forced leave, so I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who thinks so.”

“Risking your life to apprehend one man. Sounds drastic. You must have been desperate.”

“In some ways, I guess I was.”

“It makes me wonder.”

“About what?”

“How much I would risk to get the man who killed my family.”

“You did. You risked everything to get him, and you gave up your life.”

“What life? Sam Lansky took everything. And then I was banished here to live in fear. He left me with nothing.”

Tom nodded. “I don’t really value my life very much at the moment either.”

“How can you say that?”

“Same way you can. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to diminish your pain.”

“Except I still value my life despite everything I’ve been through. I’ve had a terrible last five years, but I always had a sense that I wanted more.” She stepped closer to him. “You’re worth more than you know. Don’t you dare sell yourself short. Don’t give up on yourself.”

She thought she saw his eyes shine, but he blinked, and it was gone.

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