Page 63 of Hidden Depths

“Like you’re hatching an evil plan.” He tossed the keys on a table by the door and looked at her standing next to the couch, biting her bottom lip to accentuate her mischievous grin. He had to painfully remind himself of the space that had to remain between them. “You are, aren’t you?” He hated how cute she looked right now.

“No,” she laughed.

“It’s good to hear your mood has lightened, but you’d better spit it out.”

“Turn down the air conditioning first.”

He swiped the remote off the table and changed the temperature. “There. Tell me.”

“I was thinking. Maybe Peter could help.”

“I know he was instrumental in getting you settled here, and he’s willing to take you in while you’re transitioning, but I’m not sure involving another civilian is what we need.”

“He’s ex-special forces.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say that before?”

“It didn’t matter before.”

“How ‘ex’ is he?”

“I don’t know. A while? He’s probably in his sixties these days. But he has a lot of connections.”

“So do I. But I can’t put anyone at risk of the consequences of going against orders. I already asked a friend of mine back in Chicago to get me information, and I’m coming close to getting him in more trouble than I already have.”

“Peter’s not connected to you. He can’t get into trouble.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s smart and connected. He won’t do anything he doesn’t think he should. And he might have some good ideas. I’m going to call him.”

“It’s worth a shot.”

She walked to the window while she made the call with the phone on speaker.

“Sara, how’d you go? Any buses moving yet?”

“Hey, Peter. I’ve got you on speaker. I’m still in the Keys. We paid a visit to the sheriff to see if Tom could get his help, but he was uncooperative. Tom thinks he’s being cautious, but I thought he was a pompous jerk.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“He’s advised me to stay out of it,” Tom said.

“Will you?” Peter asked.

“It’s not likely, but it makes my job that much harder.”

“We’re calling to see if you can help,” Sara said.

“Do you have any more to go on than before?”

“Nope.”

“Excellent. Nothing as invigorating as operating on the fringe.”

“Is he being serious or sarcastic?” Tom asked Sara.

“Both probably.”

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