Crusher led the way out of the basement and up the stairs, checking all around before he allowed Marta to emerge.
They moved through alleys and less busy streets for the few blocks to Stewart’s mother’s house, approaching the small cottage from the rear. Crusher knocked on the back door.
A few seconds later, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and brown eyes opened the door and stepped back. “Please, come in.”
“You’re alone?” Crusher asked softly.
She nodded.
Crusher entered, looked around and then nodded to Marta. She stepped through the door.
Stewart’s mother poked her head out the back and looked right and left. Then she closed the door and locked it. When she turned, she smiled warmly and held out her hand to Marta first. “I’m Liza Eppley, Stewart’s mom.”
Marta took the woman’s hand, glad to be in the company of another woman after so many weeks in the company of men. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Eppley. I’m Marta Hale.”
“The scientist. Please,” she said, “call me Liza.” She released Marta’s hand and held out her hand to Crusher. “You must be Crusher. Royce had good things to say about you.”
Crusher took the woman’s hand. “I understand you’re prior service, Army,” he said.
She nodded. “Supply and logistics. I met Royc when he and his team rescued our convoy when we were trapped in a pass in Afghanistan. I was injured. He was the one who carried me to the helicopter that airlifted us out.” She smiled. “He’s a good man.”
“Yes,” Crusher nodded, “he is.”
She dropped her hand. “Anyway, I have a pot of beef goulash simmering. It’s not typical food you find in Panama, but Stewart loves it. Are you hungry?”
Marta’s mouth watered, and her stomach rumbled. “Very. Should we wait for Stewart?”
Liza shook her head. “There’s no telling when he’ll be in. If you’re hungry, we can eat now. Most likely, he’ll be back after dark.”
“Are you sure you want us here?” Marta asked. “A Colombian cartel is tracking us. That could put you and Stewart at risk.”
Liza nodded. “I understand. But I’m sure you’ve taken precautions to get here. Royce asked me to find you a place to stay. I insisted you stay with us. I owe him a lot. The least I can do is help out his friends.”
“Thank you,” Crusher said.
“I have one guest bedroom I rent out as a bed and breakfast. It has a separate entrance on the side of the house. I thought Marta could have the bedroom, and Crusher could sleep on the sofa.”
Crusher frowned. “Is the sofa in the guest portion of the house?”
Liza’s brow wrinkled. “I was thinking about the sofa in the living room on this side.”
Before she finished talking, Crusher was already shaking his head. “I’ll sleep on the floor of the guest bedroom. Dr. Hale is my responsibility. I can’t protect her if I can’t see or get to her.”
Liza looked from Crusher to Marta.
Marta nodded. “He can stay in the room with me.” After all they’d been through together and with the threat of being found all too real, she didn’t want Crusher out of her sight any more than he wanted her out of his sight.
Liza smiled. “Then I’ll make up a pallet on the floor of the bedroom.”
“I can do that,” Crusher said.
“I’ll get the blankets and pillows for you after we eat.” Liza led the way into a dining room that opened off the kitchen. “You can have a seat anywhere you like. I’ll just be a minute. I wanted to cut up a salad and pop some bread rolls in the oven.”
“Let me help,” Marta said. “If you point me in the right direction, I’ll cut the salad while you handle the bread.”
“I can set the table if you promise we’ll only use one fork,” Crusher offered with a crooked smile.
Liza laughed. “We only use one fork in this house.” She pointed to the silverware drawer and the cabinet with the dishes and glasses.
