Page 88 of Hidden Depths

“Oh.”

“He’s not stupid enough to leave anything incriminating lying around, unfortunately.”

“So we still have nothing.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll get what we need. But I want to know what happened and why you thought I was dead. Let’s find somewhere safe, and you can explain to me what’s going on.”

She looked back at the window. After psyching herself up to come in here, it was hard to give up on that sense of courage that had given her strength. Finally, she nodded and followed him out a closer section of fence where he’d cut his way through.

* * *

Tom kept hold of Sara’s hand after they came through the fence. She’d agreed to leave that place, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t get any more rash ideas like trying to take these guys down on her own after she’d been given misleading information.

They climbed behind a nearby shipping container where they hid.

He looked her over again to satisfy himself that she wasn’t hurt. “If I didn’t have more pressing questions, I’d really want to know about the outfit. It’s truly something else. But first, you need to explain why you aren’t on a bus. Or, better yet, with Peter.”

“They must have been watching the station.”

“Who?”

“Dodd, or one of his men. They knew I was on the bus.”

He closed his eyes to steady his anger. He’d sent her into danger instead of saving her from it. He should have suspected it when the deputy pulled him over, but he’d been overconfident in his plan.

“They got to you,” he said quietly.

“Dodd waited until the bus was on the bridge before pulling us over. I guess because he thought I wouldn’t be able to escape, maybe? Once I followed him outside, he told me you were dead. He said they found your body. I was too afraid to believe he was bluffing.”

“He wasn’t. It’s what was supposed to happen. He had one of his deputies try to pick me up, but I got away. I guess he spoke too soon.”

“I had no reason not to believe him. He found me, so I knew he must have known where you were.”

“I should never have let you go on your own. I should have been there.”

“You were. In a way. God was too. When Dodd said you were dead, I wanted to give up. I couldn’t bear the despair again. I could barely handle it the first time, but when it hit me again, all I wanted to do was lay down on the pavement and surrender. But I didn’t. I knew you’d want me to fight.”

Tom ran a hand down his face. She was safe, but hearing what she’d gone through made him feel helpless. “So, howdidyou get away from him?”

“The gun.”

“You, uh…you shot him?”

“No. I don’t think I could have even if I wanted to. My hands were shaking so bad, but I pulled it on him and made him throw his in the water.”

“That was quick thinking for someone who was terrified.”

“It must have been God. After that, I shot one of his tires.”

“With shaking hands?”

“Yeah.”

“Then what?”

“Then I dropped the gun.”

“You what? Why?”

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