Page 45 of Hidden Chance

She knocked lightly. “Hey, Sal. You in there? It’s me, Hannah.” She listened for a response, but none came. Shifting between Robby and the door, she slowly turned the nob before opening it a few inches to let in the light.

“Sal? Don’t worry. It’s me, Hannah.”

“Ha-Hannah? Wha—did I miss the alarm?” His voice was choked with sleep. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t get you in trouble, did I?”

She pushed the door open farther to let in more light. “No. I got into my own trouble, but I do need your help to get out of it.”

“You need my help? How?”

“I have someone with me.”

Sal shot up, throwing the blanket back. “What? Who?”

“No one you have to worry about. No one who wants to hurt you. He saw me let you in the building.”

“I—I did get you in trouble.”

“No. He’s not with TreadCraft. He’s just a concerned citizen, and he wants to make sure that all you’re doing here is sleeping.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I need to show him that you are who you say you are.”

“Why?”

“I need you to trust me on this. He’s behind me. He just needs to meet you, and then we’ll go.” She stepped back to let Robby show himself.

“Open the door all the way,” Robby said, shifting to the side so he could get a look into the room without exposing himself to the occupant. Hannah looked down at the phone in his hand.

“What are you doing? Are you recording this?”

“No.”

She tsked, then entered the room, pushing the door aside as she went. “You have nothing to worry about,” she told Sal as he put a hand up to shade his eyes from the light.

“This is Robby. He’s concerned you’re here to steal company secrets.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“But doesn’t this still look bad?” Sal whisperedloudly. “I’m still trespassing. How do you know he won’t get us both in trouble for that?”

“That’s not what I’m here for,” Robby said. “What’s your name?”

“Salvatore Abernathy, but my friends call me Sal.”

“Do you believe me now?” Hannah said. “Or do you want to interrogate him, too? Maybe he was here having a nap before he got into the hard work of breaking into the laboratory.”

“You know, for a kidnap victim, you sure are sarcastic.”

“Kidnap?” Sal tried to push himself onto his feet but tripped and fell back.

“You okay?” She rushed to help him.

“Are you in danger? I can take him. I won’t let him hurt you.” He tried to stand again but needed Hannah’s help to get up.

“No, Sal. I’m fine.”

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