Page 32 of Dead Drift

“Let me see your tattoo,” Luke said as he and Kate stepped into the brisk and windy October day.

“It’s covered with Saran Wrap,” she said, thrilled with the work but not at all wanting to share it with Luke. Not when it held so much meaning involving him.

He chuckled. “Saran Wrap is clear. I can see the tattoo through it.”

“True, but you can see it later.” She climbed into the car.

He stood over her door, his arm draped along the roof of the car, and arched a playful brow. “Why the secrecy?”

“What can I say?” She shrugged, regretting the movement with the site still tender and tight. “I’m a private person.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, striding around the car and climbing in the driver’s side.

She’d become a far more private person after he left. His leaving taught her a vital lesson—guard your heart well, even from those you love most. Especially from those you love most, because they hold the power to wound you the deepest.

A few minutes into the drive, he glanced over again, this time tapping the wheel with his thumb. “So you’re really not going to let me see your tattoo?”

He was pushing her, and she didn’t like it. “Why is it such a big deal?”

He narrowed his eyes. “You tell me.”

She bit the inside of her cheek. Because if he saw, he’d know. “I want it to heal up.” It sounded like a good excuse, but it was also true. Not the healing of the tattoo, but the healing of her heart. When it healed, then he could see her tattoo.

“Where to next?” she asked, attempting to switch topics.

“I need to meet up with my local handler. But I’ll drop you at Declan’s office first.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll come with you. I can always sit in the car.”

He was poised to argue and then realized arguing with Katie was useless. Her determination was impressive. The lady was full of fire, and while the flame in her eyes was dimmer than it had been in the past, it still flickered. How he longed to see it spark fully back to life.

Father, it breaks my heart to see the woman I love suffering, especially knowing it was, in large part, my doing. I just want to see her happy again. Please help her sadness abate, and equip me to let her see how desperately sorry I truly am and that my leaving was no reflection on her. It was my own stupid, young idealism and selfish need for what I thought would be a short, albeit grand, adventure. Help me to make this right, if that’s even still possible. Amen.

He swallowed, wondering how God felt about him. Did He even care about Luke’s prayers after the life he’d been living? Compromising, blurring the line between right and wrong? Even if it was in service to the country he loved? He’d taken lives. He’d played more roles and told more lies than he could count.

Could God really forgive a sinner like him? It seemed impossible, and yet he felt God clinging to the fraying thread of his faith, refusing to let go or give up on him. God was abundantly more gracious and merciful than Luke deserved.

He glanced over at Katie, dying to know what tattoo she’d gotten, and it vexed him that she wouldn’t let him see it.

He’d caught a very quick glimpse as he’d followed Hank out of his cubicle. It looked a seashell, perhaps, but the way Tanya had been hunched over Katie, working on the tattoo, it wasn’t readily visible.

At least his time with Hank had been profitable. The intel on Hank’s transportation services was correct, and Hank had extended an invite for Luke—or rather Luke’s alias, Garrett Beck—and his lady to join him that evening at a local establishment called Jiffers. Hank had said he wanted Luke to meet the crew, and his girl could hang with Tanya. Hank hadn’t talked specifics, but he’d said he might have a position for a guy like him and that they’d discuss it more at Jiffers. Luke was thankful for the opening.

He wondered what, if anything, Katie had gleaned from her time with Tanya. Hank’s wife was a talker and liked to boast about her and Hank’s possessions, so Kate had probably learned something. But if she had learned something significant, she probably would have filled him in the moment they got in the car. Since they were approaching the mall, he decided to wait until after his meeting with Mack to ask her about it.

Weaving his way up the parking garage ramps at Towson Town Center was an adventure, with traffic flowing the opposite direction along the winding and narrow path. Finally locating a spot, he pulled in and took a moment to survey the garage.

“You better come in,” he said to Kate, slipping on his Orioles baseball hat.

She frowned. “But I thought . . . ?”

“It’s not safe for you to stay out here alone. Pick a shop to browse in while I meet my contact. It’s safer than having you alone out in the car. I won’t be long, and if you need me press nine on this phone.” He handed her a burner cell.

She took it from him, curiosity dancing across her delicate brow.

“Meetings like this last two minutes, max.” The shorter, the safer for all involved.

“Okay.” She nodded, slipping the phone in her pocket.