We reach Jacksonville the next afternoon, and I’m exhausted. Adam checks us into the local motel and says apologetically, “I’m sorry we must share. It won’t draw attention that way and we need to stick together.”
“It’s fine.” I’m feeling sick anyway and my head hurts, which is probably due to lack of sleep and the fast food we’ve snatched along the route. But most of all, it’s probably down to the pill I bought over the counter at Walgreens – the morning after one. I am tired, sick and wrecked and all I want to do is sleep for the next hundred years.
The motel is basic but clean and Adam throws his bag on the bed and nods towards the bathroom. “You go first, take a shower, and try to relax. I’ll leave you to grab some sleep and head out to see if I can locate Elliott.”
“Are you sure?” The last thing I want is to go anywhere else, and he smiles. “It’s fine. Just don’t answer the door unless you hear me call. Ok.”
I nod, too weary to argue, and as I take a hot, welcome shower, I try to empty my mind of everything that’s happening.
Sleep comes easily when you’re on your last shot of adrenalin, and as I fall into oblivion, I’m grateful for the darkness. I’m not sure how long I sleep for, but it feels like forever because when I wake, light has turned to dark, and I feel the heavy ache in my muscles that tells me I’ve slept deeply. I feel so thirsty and as I look across to the other bed, I’m alarmed to see Adam’s bed is empty. He never returned.
Now I’m wide awake and feel the fear clutching at my heart because what if he’s never coming back? What will I do?
I quickly pull on my dress, wishing I’d brought a change of clothes and start pacing the small room in worry. I’m thirsty and hungry but daren’t leave the safety of the room and it must be an hour later that I hear a knock on the door and a soft, “Katrina, it’s Adam.”
Flinging the door open, I’m so relieved to see him, and his bloodshot eyes tell me he’s exhausted.
I usher him inside and he groans as he falls on his bed and says, “It’s done.”
“What’s done?”
“I found Elliott. He’s got the folder and flash drive. He’s also given me a burner phone to use. We’re to wait until he’s had a chance to look at the evidence.”
“Can you trust him? What did he say?”
I have so many questions, and Adam groans. “Can I answer them later? I really need a shower and some sleep. I’m running on empty here.”
It feels so frustrating, but I know how I felt, and he must be feeling much worse, so I say, “Of course, I’m sorry.”
As he shifts off the bed, he says as an aside, “Don’t worry, we can trust Elliott. He’s still the same geek that he always was.” He chuckles, “You know, he wasn’t even surprised when I rocked up with this shit. He even wrote me out a ticket for my possessions, as he called them and told me he’d be in touch within twenty-four hours. His rate is fifty dollars an hour, and he obviously does well for himself because he had a gold Rolex on his wrist and a Maserati parked in the driveway. Mind you, he was always loaded so I’m not surprised.”
He laughs softly as he heads into the bathroom, leaving me with a thousand questions, desperate for answers. I wonder if we can trust this school friend of Adam’s, but I suppose he’s all we’ve got and above all I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say.
* * *
As Adam sleeps, I worry. I think about my parents, Nate, and Madelaine. I revisit every conversation we ever had and try to think back on conversations at the resort that reassure me Adam is spot on with this. I wonder if they discovered we’ve raided the safe. Perhaps they haven’t and Chester is still in the hospital with Nate and Madelaine beside him.
What if Nate returned and discovered I’d left with Adam? He will suspect the worst and think we’ve run off together. So many things hit me as I lie in the shadows, with only Adam’s gentle snores to keep me company. Then I think of my parents and how lovely they were. Did they buy me, are they really my parents and is my life built on a lie?
My thoughts turn to Madelaine and how lovely she is. I just can’t imagine her being so cold and calculating. Surely, she’s not involved in anything illegal or distasteful.
Picturing my boat trip with Nate, I don’t believe he did that on purpose. It was a natural coming together of souls. It certainly felt like that. Adam must be wrong about him – he must be. I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince myself of that because of how hard I’ve fallen and yet we never used protection. Why not?
So many questions are clamouring for answers, and I soon fall into a troubled, fitful sleep.
* * *
When we wake the next morning, we head out to shop for supplies and grab some breakfast. Despite how guilty I feel about stealing the money, I must admit we really need it. We head to a local outlet and stock up on clothes, toiletries, and a couple of small bags to carry it in. Then we shop at the local supermarket and grab water and snacks to keep us going. It feels strange being on the run. We are now criminals and thieves. I’m so conscious of this and can’t help looking over my shoulder and jumping at every person, or noise that catch my attention.
We finish up by grabbing lunch at a nearby diner and I begin to feel a lot more human now I’ve eaten and have some fresh clothes to wear.
“I wonder if they know we’ve gone.” I say for the hundredth time since leaving the island.
“Probably.” Adam looks out of the window and says absentmindedly, “I hope Elliott finds what we need.”
“What happens then?” I’m very curious about that, and he leans closer. “We take it to the authorities. This is too big for us to handle.”
“But what if we’re thrown in jail? It could all be perfectly legal, and we have stolen from them.”
“Then we’ll send it to them anonymously and lie low. I don’t care how we get it into the right hands, but we need them to investigate, at least.”
“I hope you’re right about this, Adam, because I’m not sure where to go from here. My passport is back at the island, and I’ve got nothing but what’s in this bag which was bought with stolen money. At least you’re still in your own country. In a few weeks’ time, my visa runs out and I’ll have to ask for help.”
Adam looks guilty. “I’ve asked a lot of you, haven’t I? I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, I could have said no.” I try to reassure him but I’m feeling worried about what this means for me, and Adam says with concern, “Then why didn’t you?”
“Because…” I look out of the window and feel the tears burning behind my eyes. “Because I have a horrible feeling about my parent’s death.”
“In what way?” Adam looks worried and my voice cracks. “It just didn’t add up. My father was a good driver. He never took risks and knew that route to town like the back of his hand. He did it often enough and I don’t believe for one second he lost control. He always said he’d rather hit an animal that ran into the road than cause an accident and the police officer told me they think that’s what happened.”
Adam looks concerned. “Do you think Green Valley had something to do with it, then? It’s a little far-fetched.”
“Possibly, but so is this whole situation. I’m thinking dark thoughts right now, and nothing would surprise me.”
We finish up in silence and then Adam’s phone vibrates making us jump.
I look at him with a mixture of fear and excitement and whisper, “What does it say?”
Adam lifts his eyes and I see the worry in them. “He told me we’re to meet him at the library. In thirty minutes.”
“Is it far?” I’m anxious we’ll make it in time, and he nods. “Ten minutes’ walk.”
For a second, we just stare at one another because this could make or break us and I don’t know about him, but I’m one very nervous person right now.