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“We need to keep our energy levels up. We’re not in the clear yet.”
“But we’re nearly there, right?”
“Yes.” He smiled at her. “Nearly there.”
In one hour, they’d be off this island for good.
The food came and they ate with gusto. It was surprisingly good, or perhaps that was just because they were so darned hungry.
Afterwards, Hannah said she wanted to go and freshen up in the restroom, so he went down to the boat. “Meet me down on the pier when you’re done.”
He got halfway down when he noticed the mooring was empty. The merchant vessel had vanished.
“What the hell?”
Tom broke into a run. Sure enough, the boat could be seen chugging toward the horizon.
Bastard!
He kicked a wooden pole and turned around. Now they’d have to find another vessel to take them to the mainland.
He got to the café, and immediately noticed the two elderly men had gone. So had the pimply waiter. He pulled out his handgun. Dread clutched at his chest as he ran inside.
It was empty.
“Hannah!” he called, charging into the ladies restroom.
No reply.
He kicked in all the doors, but the cubicles were empty.
She was gone.
A muffled scream got his attention.
Hannah!
It was coming from out the back, behind the diner.
He stormed out the back and into a small car park. Two burly policemen held a struggling Hannah between them.
Tom raised his weapon. “Let her go.”
He’d underestimated the crafty Chief of Security. Abdul Anwar had known they’d head here. This was the only viable option they had left. He hadn’t been fooled by their little charade at the grain factory, or he was covering all his bases. Either way, he’d found them.
“Tom.” Hannah sobbed his name. He kept his gun trained on the men holding her.
Before he had time to act, a black SUV pulled up. The doors swung open and four armed police officers jumped out. Four rifles aimed at his head.
Not good odds.
He watched helplessly as they wrestled Hannah into the vehicle. He couldn’t let them take her. They’d torture her, then kill her. There’d be no mercy. His finger hovered on the trigger.
“Don’t,” she cried, as they shoved her inside the car. “You have to get back to the mainland. You can’t afford to die.”
He didn’t move.
“Please, Tom. Go. . .” The rest of her words were cut off when they shut the car door.