Page 98 of Hidden Depths

“Too bad. I haven’t got any.”

“There’ll be a first aid kit in the boat.”

“Then you’ll have to do without.”

“She could die.”

Goatee shrugged. “If Lansky wants her fixed up, he can make that call when he gets here.”

“You won’t get the information you want if she dies.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Get moving.”

Tom glared at him, knowing it was a useless exercise, but it made him feel better. As they neared the shed, he looked around for Sara, hoping she wouldn’t get it in her head to do something heroic. There was no sign of her.Good girl. He couldn’t be sure if he and Isla would make it, but at least he knew Sara would.

When they entered the building, he scanned for anything he could use to help Isla, who had opened her eyes long enough for Tom to see she was conscious, then closed them again.

He laid her on a pile of canvas near the window. The way she was bleeding, she wouldn’t be much use to him even if she was aware of her surroundings.

“I need to stop the bleeding,” he said to the man.

“She’s fine. Sit in the chair.”

“She’s not fine.” He held up his blood-soaked arm. “All I need to do is get a piece of that sheet over there and wrap it around her head. Then, I’ll do whatever you want.”

Goatee nodded, and Tom set to work, ripping a long strip of the dirty fabric.

“You’re going through an awful lot of trouble.”

“She’s a friend. She deserves it.”

“Maybe, but neither one of you is getting out of here alive. I can guarantee you that. So fix her up if you want, but it won’t do you much good in the end.”

“You’re going about this the wrong way,” Tom said as he carried the makeshift bandage back to Isla while scouting for a weapon. “You’re supposed to give me hope that I’ll survive so I’ll tell you whatever you want. If I expect to die anyway, there’s no point in me giving you anything.”

“That’s what you think.”

“I’ve been in this game a long time. The rules don’t change. But I guess you’re just hired muscle. You’re not expected to offer any intelligence.”

“I got you, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you’re very clever.”

Tom knelt down beside Isla and carefully wrapped her head. “Sorry about this. It’s gonna sting,” he whispered, blocking the man’s view of her. She opened her eyes and smiled weakly, then winced as he pulled the material tighter.

“Lansky is an expert at torture,” Goatee said. “I’ve seen him at work. He doesn’t need to offer hope. He offers fear instead.”

“Torture, huh?” Tom dusted off his hands as he stood. “All the more reason for us to be healthy and well. Torture doesn’t hurt as much if you’re passed out.”

“Sit in the chair and don’t move.”

“What’s his favorite? Knee caps? Fingernails? I was electrocuted once. For hours. Now that hurt.”

“He studies his subjects first. He likes to mess with their heads.”

That would explain why he’d left Sara alive. To mess with her head.

“Sounds to me like he’s a bully. Probably neglected as a child. Or maybe he was abused.” Tom needed to get him closer. “What about you? Did you get enough love growing up?”

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