Page 95 of Hidden Depths

“That’s our biggest problem,” Tom said. “If they leave here, it’s possible we’ll lose them for good. We have no intel to know where they may come back into the country. They could stay in Cuba until things quiet down.”

“I think our best option is going to be to sabotage their boats. They’ll get more, but it will give the Florida team time to get here.”

“Do we want them to know they’ve been sabotaged?”

“Not if we can help it, but how do you ground two boats at the same time without arousing suspicion?”

“Put plenty of water in one of the gas tanks,” Sara said. “And maybe a dead battery or oil leak in the other?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Isla said. “You do this kind of thing before?”

“I’m here. I may as well help where I can.”

“They might question it,” Tom said. “But it wouldn’t be obvious until, hopefully, it’s too late.”

“It’s going to be a rough night with the storm.” Isla tapped a finger on her lip while she thought. “But it would be a good time to do it. At night if we can. No one will be looking.”

“It won’t be safe out there on the dock,” Sara said. “But you’re right. Any damage to the boat, they’d easily attribute to the storm and not human intervention.”

“I’m happy with that plan,” Tom said. “Until then, we can go back to the church and recover. I know I could use a rest.”

“Uh, guys,” Isla said. “Crazy thought. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me five minutes ago, but how about I just book us a couple of hotel rooms? I don’t need to hide myself, and you guys can sneak in if you feel it’s necessary.”

“Good point. I guess we’re just too used to hiding.”

A couple of car engines started, and they watched two vehicles drive out of the gate.

“I counted six,” Isla said. “That should be all of them.” She faced the other two. “That offers us another possibility. Instead of waiting for the squall, we could go now and get it over with.”

The sky started spitting, and Tom watched as the clouds rolled in on themselves. “You’re right. They won’t know it wasn’t the storm that did it, and it’s getting close. I’m up for getting this over now. Sara, you wait here.”

“I know.” She sighed.

“Actually, I’ve got a better idea. You can be our lookout. Alert us if they come back.”

“Yeah. I can do that.”

“Come through the fence, but wait behind the shed, and keep your eye on the road. If you see anyone coming, we’ll jump in the water and keep ourselves hidden. If we get separated for any reason, we’ll meet back at the church.”

Sara nodded, and they all climbed through to the back of the shed, where Sara positioned herself with a clear view up the road.

“Wait,” she said before they separated. “What if I see them come back?”

“Run to the far side of the shed. We’ll be able to see you clearly from there. Wave like mad until we spot you. I’ll keep an eye out.”

“Got it. Be careful.”

* * *

Sara hated even to blink as she watched the road but was glad to have a part. Tom could have forced her to return to the church and wait for them there. She was grateful he saw value in her participation.

The sounds of nearby traffic reached her, and every car rev or loud muffler had her on edge, but nothing came around the corner.

Her fingers drummed against the rough wood of the shed wall, still warm from where the sun had hit it earlier in the day.

A car horn blared in the distance, and she jumped. She’d be no good to Tom and Isla if she was startled by every sound.

She stretched and took several cleansing breaths but held the last one when she heard a thump from inside the shed. She continued to hold her breath as she strained to hear more.

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