Page 81 of Hidden Depths

It was unlikely that anyone who wanted to harm her knew about her connection to the church, but she had to be cautious. That’s what Tom had said. He’d been careful.

Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine what he would do if he were there. One thing was certain. He’d have a plan. First, he’d make sure she was safe. Then, he would…

“What, Tom? What would you do?” She remembered him checking the stairwell when they left his place after Dutch attacked them. If she was going to enter the church, she needed to be sure the coast was clear.

From her position, she couldn’t see any cars on the road. No one was parked on the street. But there was a stretch that was obscured.

Staying low, she moved along the fence line until she had a clear view and could see it was clear, but before she could move, a minivan drove past. The driver was a woman who kept her eyes on the road and drove a consistent pace, not slowing as she passed the church. That must mean something. The woman didn’t look interested in anything besides what was in front of her.

“Next,” she muttered. “He’d find a way inside the church where he couldn’t be observed entering.”

She retreated along the fence, then sprinted across the backyard, plastering herself against the back wall of the church before checking her surroundings and swinging around to the narrow stairs that she climbed to the small metal door. It was locked.

She crouched down, looking at the door handle and running her fingernail across the lock. It looked the same as the one on the door at her place, but that didn’t mean anything to her.

“I don’t know how to pick locks, Tom. I know you would, but what do I do?” She stood and stared at her empty hands. If Balthazar had come here looking for her and had found anyone inside, like Margaret, she could be in there now, injured or worse.

Sara pressed her ear to the door, listening. There was no sound. This wasn’t the time to protect herself any longer. If they killed Tom, they’d kill any others they deemed necessary, and she couldn’t let that happen here.

Jumping off the stairs, she didn’t bother checking her surroundings as she ran to the front stairs, climbing them two at a time.

God, please don’t let anyone be hurt in here.

She passed through the entryway and saw Margaret dancing to a silent tune as she polished the arm of a pew at the front of the sanctuary. She was humming softly to herself.

After scanning the room, Sara slowly approached the front but stopped while she was still several feet away until Margaret looked up and jumped.

“You startled—” she said as she pulled the earbuds from her ears until she had a proper look at Sara. “Oh my goodness. What’s happened?”

Sara opened her mouth to explain but didn’t know where to start.

Margaret tossed the rag onto the pew, then wiped her hands on her apron before removing it and drawing closer. “What’s happened?” she repeated.

Sara shook her head. Her mouth screwing tightly as she tried to hold back the tears. But as Margaret took her hand, she lost control and wept.

Margaret pulled her close, wrapping her arms around her friend and squeezing her tightly.

“I can’t—” Sara choked against Margaret’s shoulder. “We can’t stay here. It’s not safe.” She lifted her head up. Her face was red and blotchy from the tears. “Where’s Pastor Frank?”

“He’s at home. Why? What could we possibly be in danger from?”

“There are people after me.”

Margaret’s forehead shifted into deeper lines as her concern grew. “Is that what you think? Is that what your fear has been this whole time? You believe someone is after you? I warned you the fear would try to return. I think we should pray.”

“We can pray later. Please. We need to get out of here. They could already be on their way.”

“Sara.”

“Please. I know how this sounds, but you can see how upset I am. I can’t talk about it here. I need you and Pastor Frank safe first.”

“Okay. You’re right. I can see you’re distressed being here. We can go if that helps.”

“Do you have a car?”

“Don’t need one. We live around the block.”

“Is there a back way to your house? Can we stay off the street?”

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