Page 90 of Hidden Depths

“I don’t need to be in danger to help. Let me do what I can. I’ll stay out of the way.”

“Will you? Because it seems to me you’re a lot more stubborn than I thought when we first met.”

“I have every right to be. It’s my life we’re talking about here, and while Balthazar can walk around freely and do whatever illegal things he wants to do, we’re stuck as fugitives hiding in the shadows. Besides, stubbornness helps stop me from falling apart at the sheer unfairness of life.”

They heard a car drive through the gate, and Tom scooted to the edge of the container.

“Wait here.” He took a step out, then stopped and turned, raising his eyebrows at her.

“What? Who is it?”

“Don’t know yet.”

“Then why’d you stop?”

“I want to confirm that you will wait here like I asked.”

“Yes. Go. I’ll stay here like a good little useless girl.”

“Perfect.”

* * *

After passing through the fence, Tom snuck around to the side of the shed where he could get a better look. He had expected Balthazar to bring in more men, and he didn’t want to miss seeing them when they arrived so he would be able to identify them.

Balthazar got out of the back passenger side and stretched. Then two more men got out. One was standing on the other side at the back of the car, facing away. He was using his Panama hat to fan himself. Then he turned and said something to Balthazar.

Tom stopped breathing. His cheek twitched in restrained anger. How was he going to break this to Sara?

He inched backward and returned to the container, where he found her resting the back of her head against the metal while she watched the darkening sky as storm clouds moved in.

“So?” she said when she heard him return. “Anything interesting to report?”

His face was grim. He was finding it difficult to pick out the right words.

“What is it?”

“I have to call my boss.”

“Why? What did you see?” She closed in on him. “Tell me.”

“Sara…”

“Spit it out. You’re only making it worse.”

He could see a slight tremor in the hand that was pressed against her chest.

“It’s Sam Lansky.”

“What about him?”

“He’s here.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No. You said he was dead. I looked it up. He’s dead. He died. He can’t be here.”

“They must have had an inside man at the prison and faked it. It was all a ruse to get him out. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I know what he looks like. That was him.”

“No. This can’t be. It’s not him, Tom. You got it wrong. I can prove it.”

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