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The trucks are left unlocked, and whoever gets to lunch first opens the tailgate and retracts the covers partway. This is a recurring pattern. Unless it rains, little varies day to day with regard to that area and the people who come and go during breaks. After observing for more than a week, I don’t anticipate any surprises.
The other things that I can count on are that Victor prepares dinner on the other side of the house beginning midafternoon, at the latest, and the majority of the staff complete their duties on the upper floors by the afternoon break.
My best chance to climb into John’s truck, unseen, is between three o’clock and four thirty.
It’s 3:10, now. I’m meeting Paula at the side door in five minutes for a walk. Except for the day it rained, we’ve been taking a daily walk. I’ve learned a lot about her, and I’m sorry that we won’t have the opportunity to become close. She’s somewhat anxious, but she has a good heart. She’s a lot like Isabel, except much younger.
After a quick glance around the room, I grab the backpack that I always take with me on these walks and shut the suite door for the last time.I hope.
On my way downstairs, I pause at the second-floor landing and peek out the window. No one is outside. My stomach does a somersault or two before I tear myself from the glass.
Paula’s waiting when I get to the bottom of the stairs. I’d love to say goodbye to Victor, but that’s impossible. This morning at breakfast I told him how much I appreciate everything he’s done to make me comfortable. I was careful not to raise his suspicions. He’s an angel, but his loyalty is to Antonio, not to me.
“Are you ready?” I ask, flashing Paula a warm smile.
“I’m ready,” she chirps. “It’s a beautiful day.” She hands me a water bottle, which I stuff into the backpack. If she notices that the pack is fuller today, she doesn’t mention it.
The door shuts behind us with a louder-than-normal thud. At least it seems that way to me.
When we get to the break area, no one is there.Not a soul.
My heart rate ticks up.
Now, Daniela.
I take a big breath. “Paula, I’m so sorry to do this to you. I meant to mention it earlier. I was so hot last night. I don’t know if it was the room, or if I had a fever.”
“Are you feeling better now?” she asks with some concern, making me feel like a complete heel.
I touch her arm. “Totally better. But my sheets were drenched with sweat. I would have changed them myself, except I don’t know where you keep the laundered linen. Do you think you could go up and change them?”
“Now?” she asks, her brow furrowed.
“Yes. I’m sorry. I think it would be a good idea if you did it now, so that you’re finished with all your work by the end of the day.”
“I can stay later if you need me.”
She’s such a good soul, who doesn’t deserve to be lied to, but it’s for her protection as well as mine. The less she knows, the better for us both.
“Absolutely not. As I told you—you work hard, and I want you to have the weekend off. Victor gave his blessing. I’ll be okay out here. I won’t walk too far without you.”
“Of course.” She nods.
Paula’s been a bright light in this ordeal. I want to hug her, but if I do, I’ll tip my hand. “If I don’t see you before you leave, have a wonderful weekend.”
“Thank you. See you Monday,” she calls over her shoulder, walking toward the house.
I stand for a minute, quelling the rising panic.
Have I missed anything?Have I crossed every t and dotted every i?Only hindsight will tell if I was careless.
Go, Daniela, go. Now.
Without wasting another second, I climb into the truck bed and slip under the retractable hood. I creep on my belly until I can’t go any farther.I hope it’s late enough that no one comes out and decides to open the cover all the way.I haven’t seen it happen yet, but there’s a first time for everything.
If one of the staff finds me, I’ve prepared a ridiculous story about playing a trick on Paula, hiding and then jumping out when she least expects it.Surprise!
That story would never fly with Antonio,not a chance, but no one on the staff would ever question me, even if they doubted the veracity.Except the guards—they would question me.
