Page 88 of Hidden Chance

“These are some friends of mine,” Peter said. “Hannah and Robby. Hannah grew up nearby. Her parents were missionaries years ago.”

“I hope they are well?” Su Su asked.

“My dad was killed while we were still here, and my mom died last year.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay.”

“You are all probably very tired from your trip. If you would all like to get settled, I’ve prepared the room upstairs the way you requested, Peter.”

“Thank you. We could use a short rest. But we have a lot of work to do and not much time to get it done.”

“I understand. Follow me.” She turned and headed back up the stairs.

A door at the back of the loft led them up another flight of stairs and into a separate part of the building on the top floor. It was full of computer equipment.

Robby dropped his bag on the floor. “Whoa.”

“I told you you’d like it. We have internet and high security. You’ll have access to whatever information you require.” Peter bounced on one of the cots against the wall. “The accommodation might not be five-star, but the equipment is.”

“This is an amazing setup,” Robby said, checking one of the computers. “How’d you get your hands on this hardware, Su Su?”

“The people I accommodate are very generous.” She winked at Peter. “Also, I took the liberty of preparing the surveillance for you.” She turned on the computer Robby was looking at and brought up several screens that connected to the adjacent displays.

“That’s the building from the photo,” Robby said.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on it and made a few notes.” She pushed a notebook in front of him. “I’m sorry I haven’t been watching full time, but everything is recorded.”

“Above and beyond, as usual,” Peter said. “How’s the furniture business going?”

Su Su shrugged. “The charcoal trade makes it difficult. Too much export. Not enough timber.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. You and your father always produced lovely pieces.”

“Lucky for me, I have other sources of income that allow me to continue doing the work I love. If you’d all like to get settled in, I have a few things I need to do.”

“Of course. We can look after ourselves.”

“Oh.” She stopped when she reached the door. “I almost forgot.”

After pulling four wooden keychains carved with intricate details from her pocket, she handed one to each of them. “A small gift.”

“It’s beautiful,” Hannah said, turning the piece over in her hand. “You really are talented.”

“It’s nothing. Just a small token of appreciation for what you are doing and the danger you’re putting yourselves in. I lost a friend this year to that group. People are afraid.”

Hannah set her keychain on the table, and Su Su hurried over, picking it up and putting it back in her hand. “You must keep them on you at all times. Otherwise, I will get deeply offended.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” She looked across the room at Peter, who was grinning.

“We wouldn’t want to offend our host. That’s very kind.” He tucked his in his pocket, and the rest did the same.

She nodded and left.

Robby waited until she closed the door before saying, “Where’d you find that gem?”

“Decades ago, Jemi and I were on an assignment. Wefound her father being tortured for information. Su Su was only a baby at the time, but we’ve stayed close ever since. Every time we got together, Su Su’s father would tell the story about that day when we found him. He always made the point that God had sent us to save him just before he broke, but I don’t think you could break that man.”

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