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“That will make noise.” Sam was sure he knew that, but they were both tired. Reminders wouldn’t hurt.
“We won’t use it if there’s anyone around.” He opened the trunk and pulled out the bin with the coffee, tea, and camp stove.
“And how can we be sure of that? There’s no windows.” Sam pointed at the rather claustrophobic space beyond the hidden wall. She peered at the swinging wall. The edges had strips around the outside, designed to sink seamlessly into a channel around the exterior. It would take careful inspection to find the door from the hangar, and the strips would prevent light from the hidden room from showing.
“I could set up a couple of cameras, but then there’d be a signal. But anyone would expect a security system on a hangar.” He tapped a finger on the side of the car. “Let me look at the bag of toys they gave me. I think there’s a fiber optic with a camera. We might be able to snake it through the door or the vent. But before that, let’s get out what we might need to stay a couple of days and organize it. Then we’ll figure out the next steps.”
He really needed some rest. “Trevor, we need to do that the other way around. If we can’t stay hidden, we need to go now.” Something wasn’t right. A buzzing noise increased—an airplane? They were on an airstrip, so that was certainly possible.
He rubbed his hands across his head, mussing his hair. “You’re right. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. This is all new to both of us, right?” She reached out to him but withdrew before she touched. That might lead to a hug, and that was a very bad idea.
Turning to her, he grimaced. “True, but I have at least some training.”
She snorted. “So do I. It might not be as organized as yours, but do you think we would have made it this far without Wiz shoving security down our throats? I wish I’d taken it more seriously.” Then they wouldn’t be in quite so much trouble. But she’d had a hard time believing the consequences could be so serious in the middle of small-town Montana. No more, though. Even if they survived, her life would be different when they returned because of her experiences and the choices she’d make. Life was too short to be miserable or merely survive, if there were options. And she had options. Perhaps it was time to look more seriously at all of them.
Including the hangar. Why would they need a hidden room? “Trevor, I don’t like this. I think we should go. This room looks like a smuggler’s hideout or something you’d see on a drug raid.” She tapped the side of the hidden door. The roar of an engine grew louder, then settled into an even thrum. The airplane must have stopped just outside the hangar.
Trevor snapped upright and stepped up next to her, running his finger along the edge. “You’re right. Let’s grab our gear and get out of here.” He jogged inside the hidden room. “How did Andreas’s family make their money?”
Sam thought back on all the discussions she’d had with Andreas. He’d said he didn’t want to join the family business but never said what they did. “I don’t know.”
“We made it the old-fashioned way, by bootlegging and smuggling, of course.” Andreas stood in the opening to the hangar, holding a pistol at his side. “How could you not realize that, Sam?”
Sam’s heart dropped to her feet.
Chapter twelve
Trevor dropped his burden and reached for his gun. He’d known Andreas Dahl’s offer to Sam was too good to be true, but he’d been desperate. And exhausted.
Dahl raised his pistol but didn’t point it directly at him. “Don’t even think about it, Mills. Believe it or not, I’m on your side, but I’m not getting shot for being a good guy.”
“Our side?” Sam put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. “Which side is that?”
“Yours, Sam.” Andreas shot a frown at her but returned to Trevor before he could take advantage of his attention lapse. “And law and order, of course. There’s a reason I refused to enter the family business. I’m not willing to break things or people. And my refusal started us down the road of getting out. It was only recently, when my father had a heart attack, that my brother could fully move ahead on the plan. But that doesn’t matter right now. Get one bag each. I’m flying you out. Check your burner phone, Mills. Your boss sent you a text.” He lowered the gun to his side.
Dahl had the drop on Trevor and could have shot him. But Dahl could still deliver them to the Bratva. Trevor pulled out the burner phone he’d used last and powered it up.
Singed-winged angel inbound. Proceed with caution.
Aviss trusted Dahl, but only to a point. If only they’d set up a few more code words, but no one had thought he’d have to go on the run.
Sam had his other phone in her hand. She sidled back to him and tilted the phone so he could read the screen.
Wiz: Dahl’s family smuggles, mostly booze and cigarettes, no people. Appear to be going legit. Andreas has done a few family-connected favors, but not for Bratva. But they all know each other. Be cautious.
He showed Aviss’s message to Sam but kept his attention on Dahl. “Okay. Where are you taking us?”
“Believe it or not, Sun Valley. Get your personal stuff and let’s go. We’ve got a vehicle and survival gear at the house for you.”
“Why the hurry?” Sam powered off the phone.
Dahl grimaced. “Because the hangar has a silent alarm. I told my brother I was coming here, but he knows someone set off the alarm before I arrived. I told him friends were using the house, but involving the hangar raises questions we don’t want to answer.” He shook his head.
“You can’t trust your own brother?” Sam shook her head. “That’s sad.”
He shrugged. “It’s more like plausible deniability. He can’t tell what he doesn’t know. He does the same for me. We know there are moles in our organization, and they’re feeding info to others, especially as we divest. Using the hangar will raise questions. I shouldn’t have given you the code. That was dumb of me.”
