Page 86 of Hidden Depths

“And what about Tom? Where is he now?”

Sara bit her lip, fighting back tears again. She’d skipped over the conversation she’d had with the sheriff. “He’s dead.”

“That’s terrible. When did that happen?”

“When Dodd took me off the bus. I told him I needed to go find Tom. He told me they found his body not long after I left. I’m sure they were the ones who killed him.”

“If we can’t tell the sheriff about what’s going on, we have to tell someone.”

“You can. When you get to your friend’s house, call the FBI’s Chicago office and speak to whoever is in charge. I think Tom called him the Special Agent in Charge. I can’t remember his name. Tell him that Special Agent Tom Bennett was killed by Sheriff Dodd, and a man named Balthazar is involved. If he doesn’t believe you, you can tell him there is a dead man in his apartment named Dutch. In fact, tell him everything I told you. They have a file on me, I’m sure. That would have been how Tom found out about my past.”

“And what about you?” Margaret reached back and rested a hand on Sara’s leg.

“I’m going to try to find some answers if I can.”

“I don’t think that’s wise.”

“I’m sure it’s not, but it’s what I have to do.”

“I strongly suggest you reconsider.”

“I have. And I’ve prayed about it. My mind is made up.”

“You think this is what God wants?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. But if God doesn’t want me to do it, He’s perfectly capable of closing that door.”

“You know, sweetie, sometimes God will allow us to go through if we’re pushing hard enough.”

“Then I’ll face the consequences of my actions.”

“We can’t force you to do anything,” Frank said. “but you could talk to the FBI yourself. It will be better coming from you.”

“No. They’ll tell me not to get involved, and then I’ll feel compelled to obey.”

“Of course they will, and you should. It’s the smart and safe thing to do. We can hide you until someone can come and rescue you.”

“No. I have to do this. I’ll be careful,” she lied.

“Okay, but you need to lie low. And if you can somehow make your way down to Plantation Key, our friend owns a little convenience store. Ask anyone in town, and they can point you in the right direction.”

“Thank you. Thank you both.”

“We won’t stop praying.”

“I know you won’t.”

They all piled out of the car and exchanged hugs before Sara left them, hoping and praying that they did what she asked.

* * *

Tucking the excess fabric of her skirt between her knees, Sara crouched in the bushes, watching the shed where she’d first encountered Balthazar. It was a lifetime ago.

A bead of sweat slid down her temple, and she swiped at it with the back of her hand. The humidity was heavier in the air as the storm grew closer.

She waited twenty minutes, watching, but the property remained silent. It took her several moments to get up the courage to stand. The thought of going in there again sent a shiver down her back, but she sucked in a deep breath, pushing back on the fear. Lansky and Dutch might be dead, but their legacy lived on as the group continued to thrive, and she’d do everything in her power to put an end to it.

Bending low to keep out of sight, she followed the line of the fence until her legs cramped, and she had to stop and stretch them out, suddenly realizing how thirsty she was. She swallowed some spit, and ignored the dryness. There would be time to drink later. She wouldn’t risk losing the opportunity to get a look inside the shed while it was vacant.

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