Page 79 of No Time Off

“I do. They’re getting tired and cramped on the boat, and you’re right, it’s too exposed. Her security team saw it as a place to escape to, not a place to hide for long.”

Slash headed off to the kitchen to brew some coffee. While he was gone, Manny’s phone rang. I overheard Manny say he’d return to coordinate the move with her security team.

After he hung up, he turned to me. “That was Petra. They’re planning to move her now. Her security wanted to wait until dark, but she overrode them. My instructions are to assist with the transition. Will you two be okay here by yourselves?”

“Sure, as long as we have Wi-Fi and some quiet time.

“Computers are set up,” I said just as Slash walked into the room carrying two mugs of coffee. He handed one to me and another to Manny, who declined. I noticed immediately that Slash had added my usual half cup of milk, and I appreciated him for that.

“Would love to have a cup, mate, but off I go to get the minister,” he said.

Slash drank the coffee instead. “Get her here safely, Manny.”

“You’ve got my word on that,” Manny said, heading for the door. “See you soon.”

After he left, the first thing we did was plug in Slash’s phone to charge. Slash surveyed the arrangement of the laptops and cables and nodded. It wasn’t exactly a state-of-the-art field setup, but it would get the job done as long as nobody shot us or blew up the farmhouse. Two distinct possibilities.

Slash started by downloading the audio file from the recorder we’d risked our necks to get. Once the file was on Slash’s computer, he hit send. While the file started crawling its way to Candace, I sent an email to Elvis to update them on what was happening on our end and get them on board for our plan this evening. Elvis answered within two minutes. They were on high alert.

“Please tell me Slash is alive. And that you guys are safe.”

“Slash is alive, thank God,”I responded.“We’ll have a story to tell you about how that happened. But for now, at least, we’re safe. Unfortunately, we’ve graduated to the police’s ‘shoot-to-kill list’ and are being identified as dangerous American terrorists.It’s making things a bit dicey here.However, the good news is—even after all that—Slash and I are still married.”

There was a long pause before a response came back, and this time Elvis added an emoji with its mouth wide-open.

“Wow, that IS shocking. Not the terrorist thing, the still married thing. It must be true love.”

I laughed, feeling the tension ease a bit. They were reacting with humor, which was just what I needed.

“So, what’s next?”he typed.“What do you need us to do?”

I quickly relayed our initial plan, with Slash occasionally chiming in. We carefully refined and outlined everyone’s exact role in it. After answering several questions and engaging in a bit more discussion to fine-tune the details and ensure everyone was on the same page, we wrapped it up. Elvis confirmed they were ready.

“It’s a good plan, so good luck, you two,”he said.“I mean it.”

“Thanks, Elvis and team,”I replied.“As always, we appreciate your support and assistance.”

“Hey, we’re always in to save the day. Now, let’s get this done.”

Slash and I logged out, leaned back in our chairs, and looked at each other. We were spent, exhausted, hungry, and extremely close to the end of our ropes.

“Has the file made it to Candace yet?” I asked, sipping my coffee.

“It just finished,” he said. “Took forever. But now, it’s time to get something to eat other than protein bars. I’m famished.”

“I could use some real food.” I stretched my arms over my head. “Like, seriously, could life get any crazier?”

He started to answer when we heard a man’s voice speak from the doorway to the office. “Well, look who we have here.”

THIRTY-EIGHT

Lexi

Iglanced up in alarm before I realized who it was. Slash had already whipped his gun out and aimed at the person in the doorway.

“Rangi!” I leaped from my chair in surprise. “You’re okay.”

“Yes, and so are you, two, thank goodness. Um…can you lower the gun, please?” he asked Slash.

---