Chapter 42 Lies and Secrets
I ran until my legs hurt. My lungs were burning. I sought refuge in a tiny motel. The type that no one ever visits. It had the smell of cheap disinfectant and stale cigarettes.
I used the last of my money to make the payment. My hands felt trembling. After I left I locked the door. My back was against the thin wood as I slid to the ground. I was still holding the flash drive, cold right now.
I felt like my phone was exploding. There was a chance. I had to though. I needed explanation. There was only Fred. I gave him a call. My hands were trembling.
He picked up at the first ring. “Annabel? Are you alright? Are you hurt?Carson called me. Did they get the flash drive?”
“No, I'm not hurt.” For the time being I said in a raspy voice. “But Fred, they found us. They found the apartment. How?”
In a strained whisper he spoke. “I'm not sure. I can't explain it. But they are ahead of us by one step. They were paying attention. For that reason I was unable to tell you over the phone.”
“What are they listening to? Your phone or mine?”
“Possibly both. Perhaps everything. You're fine Annabel. Better than I had expected.”
“Better than you expected? You are the one who informed me of the mole among us.I need to know who it is. Tell me Fred. Now.”
The other end was silent for a long time.
I could hear his shallow breathing.
“I can't. Not yet. The risk is too serious. I need to confirm. We need more evidence. You claimed that the evidence was strong so what more proof do you need?”
I pushed “Who is it?”
I was starting to speak angrily. “The question is Who is the mole Fred? Is it Victoria? Is she playing us both?”
“Annabel, it's not that easy. Yes Victoria has a role. But I'm not really sure.”
My heart raced. My thoughts were racing.
“Fred you are the only person remaining in our circle. Who else is there? as well as myself. Carson as well.”
Another silence. This time colder. A painfully deep silence.
“Fred you are not speaking.” I could sense the betrayal in my words as I said them “Is it Carson? Is that what you're trying to say? Is he the mole?”
They had the feel of daggers. He said “I can't say more over the phone. I need you to be safe.”
“Are you hiding something.”
“I’m working to keep you safe. Don't you realize that the more you know the more dangerous you are? Trust me Annabel.”
I hung up.
The uncertainty was a burdensome burden. Not that he had denied it. Not at all. He was evasive. He had redirected.
Again my phone rang. It was Carson. My gaze lingered on the screen. The flickering light had an accusing quality. My finger moved across the screen. I almost didn't respond. But I had to.
“I’ve been searching for you Annabel. Are you alright? Where are you?” He spoke with frantic relief in his voice. “I have a spot. A more secure place. We won't ever be found there.”
“They found the last one.” I stated in a flat voice.
“They won't find this one”
“And how do you know that?”
“This time I've been more careful. Trust me. Tell me where you are please. I'll come get you. We'll be safe. I will see to it.”
I paused. My head was yelling at me not to. Do not trust him. But I have him the address.
Half an hour later he showed up. His appearance was one of weariness. He had rumpled clothes. There was a small cut on his cheek. He gave me a strong hug. I didn’t return his hug. He didn’t seem to notice. Or he acted as though he didn't.
Whispering into my hair he said “I was so worried.”
He showed me the new apartment. It was a high-rise filled with sleek modern furniture. It felt cold. Impersonal. A perfect hiding spot. A place you could walk away from and never look back. We talked for a while.
He kept assuring me. “We're safe. It’s over. We got away that's what's important.”
His words felt like an empty echo. A hollow promise. He told me about the escape. The narrow misses.
He kept saying he was so glad I was safe. I kept looking at his eyes. I kept searching for the flicker. The truth. The betrayal. He said he was tired.
We went to bed.
I lay awake for hours. Staring at the ceiling. The flash drive was under my pillow. A cold hard reminder. I thought about the night. The chase. The lies. Fred’s hesitation. The words Fred didnt say. The ones that hovered in the air.
Who was she talking about? Who was the real enemy?I rolled over.
Carson was sleeping soundly beside me. His breaths were deep and even. His face was relaxed. He looked so peaceful. So innocent.
The peaceful image of him sleeping was a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. The puzzle pieces clicked into place. The missing information. The unanswered questions. The coincidences. They knew where I was going
Only he and Fred knew. Fred didn't deny it. He dodged. But Carson was there. Right beside me. He didn't ask questions. He didn't ask how they knew.
He just started running. He just wanted to get away. I looked at his face. The trust I had felt for him was dissolving. The pieces were falling away. The truth was becoming clear.
The mole was someone Fred found in our circle. The betrayal came from someone I trusted implicitly. The person who was with me who had every reason to make me believe in him was the very person the enemy wanted to get close to.
I looked at his peaceful face. A cold hard certainty settled over me. The betrayal wasn’t some stranger.
If it wasn't Fred or Carson then who?