“Yeah,” Dave said. “I parked near it. Definitely his. And I think I saw Tom earlier, too.”
“You’re absolutely positive?”
“Ken,” Dave said, “I’m sure they’re just as busy as you right now. Maybe more. Knowing Terry, he’s running interference for you. Now what about the plastic sheeting?”
Ken sighed with relief. Dave had verified that Terry was here today, and he was fairly certain he’d seen Tom. And what he was suggesting made an awful lot of sense. Terry probably was busy. Zero hour was approaching rapidly. They’d catch up with one another tonight, at the midnight party. Until then, he had to assume that Cecil and the others had been found safe and sound. Otherwise, Terry would have let him know.
“What about the plastic?” Dave repeated.
Before Ken could answer him, two more people walked toward them, calling Ken’s name.
“Check the other trailer,” Ken told him. “If it’s not there, then they must be using it somewhere on the trail. You’ll have to track it down.”
Nodding, Dave walked away.
Ken grimaced as the others approached. Both of them were already talking.
“No rest for the wicked,” Ken said under his breath. “No rest at all…”
Passing its zenith, the sun slowly began its afternoon descent.
Maria opened her eyes and screamed. Levi stood over her bed, peering down at her. She scrambled halfway across the bed, another shriek dying in her throat. Her hands clutched the sheets. Her heart pounded at jackhammer speed.
“Oh my God…”
“I’m sorry,” Levi apologized. “It’s just after two in the afternoon. I’ve been trying to wake you for the last five minutes. I called your name but you didn’t stir.”
“You scared the shit out of me—again. Damn it, Levi…”
She paused, sniffing the air.
“What do I smell?”
Levi winked, bowing slightly. “Breakfast. Well, technically, it’s lunch. Or brunch. But I made breakfast.”
She breathed deep through her nose, savoring the aroma of fried bacon and eggs. Her mouth watered.
“You made breakfast? You can cook?”
Levi flinched. “Don’t sound so surprised. All Amish men can cook. That’s how we keep our women happy.”
“But you’re not Amish anymore.”
He grinned. “Well, I still like to make women happy.”
Maria blushed and looked away. Clearing his throat, Levi quickly stepped backward.
“Why don’t you go ahead and grab a shower,” he suggested. “And change.”
“Are you saying I stink?”
“No,” he laughed. “Actually, we should hurry. But I’m sure you want to freshen up a bit. We’ll wait for you in the kitchen. Although I’m afraid Adam has already started eating.”
“How’s he doing? Any better?”
Levi made a seesaw motion with his hand. “He’s pretty quiet. I think he’s most likely depressed. It’s probably starting to sink in that he’s on the run. And I imagine that without his daily dose of whatever medication they had him on, there will be mood complications. We need him compliant and cooperative. Let’s just try to steer the conversation away from his wife and friends. At least until we get to the Ghost Walk.”
“And what happens then?”
“God’s will.”
“Is that all?”
Levi shook his head. “Go shower. I’ll fix you a plate and keep it warm.”
“Okay.” Stretching, she got out of bed. “Don’t let Adam eat it all. It really smells good, and I’m starved.”
As if to prove her point, Maria’s stomach grumbled.
Blushing again, she giggled.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Levi said.
“Told you I was hungry.”
After he’d left, Maria shut the bedroom door and then stepped into the bathroom. She closed the bathroom door behind her as well, and turned on the exhaust fan. Then she began stripping off yesterday’s clothes and tossing them in the hamper.
“Gross,” she muttered as she pulled off her jeans. “These could stand up on their own at this point.”
Finished, she turned on the shower and let it run. Then she lit a vanilla-scented candle. While the water heated, she sat down on the toilet. Steam filled the bathroom, coating her body and opening her pores. Maria sighed. She already felt better and she hadn’t even cleaned up yet. She got up from the toilet, remembering not to flush because when she did while the shower was running, the water’s temperature became scalding. Then she
