Page 98 of Hidden Chance

“That was not my call, but you lied to me.”

“About what?”

“I did everything in my power to help you, but after what happened with Robby, I ran out of time. I have to say, you two looked very comfortable with one another.”

“You were there?”

“I saw the photos. You gave them no choice. What did you expect them to do?”

“All we’re trying to do is help the kids that you are hurting.”

“Please. He’s using that nonsense to get in your pants the same way I was.”

“Is this going somewhere?” Jemi asked. “Why don’t you tell us what you’re after?”

“I’m only in Burma because Henry sent me to make sure things were ticking along smoothly and that there were no hiccups to the next phase. But then you guys turned up, and now we have to deal with you.” He threw up his arms. “I mean, Hannah, what were you thinking coming here?”

“TreadCraft is supposed to be helping people,” she said.

“And I warned you to stay out of it. What happened to the nice little Christian girl? Huh? Shouldn’t you be at home knitting or reading Bible stories or something? Put together some care packages for the needy. What is wrong with you?”

“I don’t knit.”

“It’s a real pity. This is going to be such a waste of a pretty face. You know they’ll kill you, right? This isn’t a game.”

“Why don’t you tell them not to?”

“That’s not up to me. You did this to yourself and your friend.” He nodded toward Jemi. “Whoever she is.”

“My name’s Jemila. I’m curious to know how you knew we were here.”

“We saw you the moment you arrived. We have a contact at the airport who flagged you.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “This is so screwed up.”

“You have to tell them to let us go,” Hannah said. “We don’t know anything. Tell Henry.”

Pike closed his eyes. “You are so naïve. You think Henry is the one calling the shots? This goes way deeper than TreadCraft. You’ve gotten yourself in the middle of something too big for you, and there’s nothing I can do to help you. This isn’t about some local militia. This is the creation of a paramilitary organization.”

“So you’re a terrorist now?”

“I’m a man who saw an opportunity and jumped on it.”

The man who entered behind Pike had been leaning against the table, looking amused. Now, he moved in.

“Satisfied?” he said to Pike.

“I don’t suppose you can let her off easy, Zin? I don’t care what you do with the other one, but if you could kill Hannah quickly, I’d consider it a personal favor. She doesn’t have anything valuable to offer you.”

“Except I don’t owe you any personal favors. She came over here with this group in order to stop us. I’d say that qualifies her for our interrogation methods. Unless you’d like to take her place?”

Pike gave him a sour look.

“On the other hand,” Zin continued. “If you really care for her, there are options available.”

“Such as?”

“There are rooms down the hall. This building houses soldiers from time to time. We have beds. It’s nothing fancy, but if you’d like to take her in there to say goodbye, that can be arranged. That’s the best I can do. I have orders. Up to you.”

Hannah tasted the bile that rose in her throat while Pike considered the offer.

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