Page 76 of Hidden Depths

The sirens drew near, and she could hear Dodd yelling and a loud splash in the water. Whether it was Dodd or an inhabitant of the murky waters didn’t matter. Either could mean death.

She dug through the roots, her skin tearing as she pulled herself deeper, then climbed up the bank as two shots were fired—although from where, she didn’t know.

Scrambling to dry land she sprinted toward a boatyard. She was about to climb into a boat on the far side of the lot and hide under the tarp when she realized they could search this area and she’d be stuck, so she ran for the inlet, swimming across while checking over her shoulder multiple times.

Back the way she’d come, she saw the flash of police lights before she climbed over a fence, zig-zagging her way through a trailer park, where she restricted her pace to a jog so she wouldn’t draw attention. The sirens could be heard from there, so she tried her best to look like she was exercising in the blazing sun and not running for her life despite her drenched and bedraggled look.

She continued for what felt like an eternity as she avoided all the main roads and stayed close to the shore as much as she could.

Blinking back a fog that was creeping into the edges of her vision, she continued on, pausing briefly in the shade to recover. But then her brain scrambled with Dodd’s words that Tom was dead, and she pressed on, pushing herself to focus on getting to her destination.

“Tom, you can’t be dead. Please don’t be dead,” she said as her vision blurred, and she tripped but caught herself. “Please, God. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

Chapter19

Tom had remainednear the bus station long after it had departed and satisfied himself that she had gotten safely away. Then, he’d spent several minutes regretting his decision to let her go on her own. But it made more sense for him to be here and continue searching for answers. And he’d work better now that she was gone. Once she was with Peter, he could set his mind fully on this case and getting Balthazar, dead or alive.

With nothing left to do at the bus station besides mope, he decided he could do some reconnaissance. It would also be a good time to bring Armstrong back in, but Tom resisted. He knew Dutch’s body dead on his boss’s floor would be more than enough, but he couldn’t help but feel like Armstrong would be disappointed in him somehow.

He pulled onto the street and drove slowly, contemplating his next move, working up the nerve to make the call. After driving half a mile, he noticed a police cruiser had come up behind him. It was just as well. If Dodd had sent a tail to follow him, he could make that work for him and for Sara. They could follow him around until she was out of Dodd’s jurisdiction.

He turned down a side street, intending to take the officer on a scenic tour, when the lights flashed.

“Really? You’re pulling me over?” That meant he’d probably be asked about Sara’s whereabouts, but bluffing was plausible and should keep them on a wild goose chase for long enough.

He pulled to the curb, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to keep his hands in view while he waited for the deputy to approach. In the rearview mirror, he watched as the man walked cautiously closer, like he was expecting trouble.

Tom buzzed down his window. “If there’s a taillight out, this is a rented car, so I can’t be held responsible. Other than that, I know I wasn’t speeding.”

“Are you Special Agent Tom Bennett?” The deputy’s hand remained close to his gun as he neared the window.

“Why, yes I am, Deputy—” Tom squinted at the name tag. “Haver-hill.”

“It’s pronouncedHay-vrill.”

“My apologies.”

The deputy glanced into the back seat. “You’re alone?”

“At the moment.”

“The sheriff would like to have a word. He’s asked you to come down to the station.”

“Sheriff Dodd?”

“Yes.”

“That’s odd. It wasn’t that long ago he seemed pretty keen to get me out of his office. Did he say why he needed to see me?”

“Only that there’s been a development in the case you two were discussing. He didn’t give me any further details.”

“I hope it’s good news. But I’ve got a few urgent errands to run. Sara and I have some things to do. Can you let him know I’ll stop by when I can? Or did he need us both there?”

“All I know is that needs you there now.”

“All right. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promise I won’t take too long.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but he requested I give you a lift to the station immediately.”

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