Page 143 of Cavern of Silence
"When is this happening?"
"Tonight, after our shift ends, in Mexico."
"But I'm watched. The car picks me up and takes me to the hotel. You know this."
"You can sneak out the exit stairwell. My friend's son will wait in a car for you in the alley to bring you."
"You've already arranged this?"
"Yes."
"Why involve me? Why not go yourself?"
Guilt crosses his face. "It's my fault you got abducted. If I had stayed—"
"Santiago still would have kidnapped me."
"I could have tried to help you."
"There isn't anything you could have done," I admit.
"When you first came to me, years ago, I should have done something then."
"You couldn't have. You were smarter than I was."
"I've not done right by you. Tell me you'll come with me and leave this life."
More than anything, I want to trust him and leave. But I can't put Ryker in any more danger. If I got to Europe, I would have to figure out how to get to Bermuda. Ryker could end up dead by the time I figured that out.
"I can't go to Europe. Thank you, but there is somewhere else I would need to go, and once I leave, a person I love's life is at risk. I can't chance it."
"Where do you need to go?"
"Don't worry about it. I wish you lots of luck."
"But—"
"We need to get the plane ready. Our passengers will be here shortly." I walk up the stairs of the plane.
All day, I think about Roman's proposal. No matter how tempting it is, I can't risk going to Europe instead of Bermuda. And I don't want to disclose to anyone I don't fully trust that I need to get to Bermuda. Roman seems sincere, but other's lives are at stake.
We land in Colombia, and the passengers get off. Roman and I quickly clean the aircraft, and we go outside to get some air before the final flight of our shift.
"There's still time for you to change your mind," Roman says.
"I can't."
"Tell me where you need to go, and I'll talk to my friend."
"I wish I could, but I'm sorry, I can't."
He reaches for my hand and says, "We will leave at three a.m. If you change your mind, go here. Don't open your hand until it's in your pocket." He releases me, and a tiny, folded piece of paper is in my fist.
The car turns the corner. "I need to go back inside to greet our new guests. I don't recall meeting them before, do you?"
"No. Hopefully, they are decent."
I snort. "Fat chance. See you inside. And I won't be there, but thank you." I return to the plane and pretend to sneeze then put my hand in my pocket, releasing the paper and pulling out my tissue. I spin back to the front, and my heart leaps out of my chest. "Em—"
