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Swede stopped and turned a full circle, as if getting his bearings. “The road should be that way,” he said, gesturing left. “We’ve been walking parallel to it.”
“Are you sure about that?” Even in the dim moonlight, Alexis could sense Swede’s irritation at the question. But it had to be asked. She didn’t feel like spending all night cold, wet, and wandering in circles.
“Why don’t we head toward the road,” she said, trying to make it sound like a polite suggestion instead of an exasperated demand. “We’re probably far enough from the motel by now.”
Swede looked like he might argue the point for a moment, then shrugged. “Fine.” They started walking again.
Alexis remembered now why she and Swede split up.
“So this research you were talking about,” she said, as much to break the uncomfortable silence as anything. “I assume your findings are in a safe place?”
“Yes,” Swede said. Something in his voice suggested he had more to say on the subject, but he’d stopped himself. He pointed. “See, there’s the road.” He picked up his pace and strode toward it.
Alexis ignored his I-told-you-so tone, stumbling blindly over roots and undergrowth trying to keep up. One twisted shrub snagged her foot and nearly sent her sprawling face forward, but she caught herself in time. Swede was getting too far ahead, his silhouette starting to melt into the darkness around them.
“Wait! Hold up!” she called.
Swede turned and came back. “I’m sorry.”
Alexis resisted the urge to ask him which part of this dreadful night he was sorry about.
Together, they resumed their trek toward the road.
“So,” Alexis continued. “These so-called government agents--or whatever they are--want to find us so they can get their hands on your research documentation. They don’t really need either of us, if they find it without our help, right?”
“I don’t think that’ll happen. It’s not all in one place, but I know where most of it is.”
“Most of it?”
As they emerged from the woods onto the side of the road, Alexis glanced toward the motel. She was surprised to se
e it still in sight, just barely. It felt like they’d been hiking for miles.
JESSICA
“Something to drink?”
“Huh?” I was pulled from my reverie.
A grinning flight attendant loomed over me. “Would you like a drink?”
“Just water. Thanks.”
She handed me a cup of water and a Lilliputian packet of peanuts. I sipped and munched, thinking about what Alexis and Swede would do.
I’d had Swede suggest they call a cab. So how do they get the number? Through information, stupid. Okay. Whatever. But should I have them hitchhike? On a desolate road at night? I reviewed my draft and mulled the options.
ALEXIS
“Let’s walk a little farther, then I’ll call a cab,” Swede said, heading away from the motel.
“Did you just say you knew where most of the research was?”
Swede nodded.
“What about the rest?”
Swede heaved another sigh. “As a safeguard, Daniel and I decided we should divide the documentation and each of us would hold it in separate places. That way, neither of us knew everything. And we could only work on the project together.”
