Caleb said, “But we really don’t know if Knox is on the run from Hayes. That’s just Alex’s opinion. They could still be working this thing together. Maybe Hayes’ visit to Alex was a ruse.”

“That makes no sense, Caleb,” Annabelle snapped.

“It makes as much sense as us running around the country trying to find Oliver while the CIA is too. I mean, do we actually think we can beat them at this? And what if we do find Oliver first? Then what? We just make him disappear without a trace with all those people looking for him? We’re not experts at that.”

“I am,” Annabelle retorted.

“Fine, you are. I’m not. So we make Oliver disappear. Then what? I go back to my job at the library after being inexplicably absent? You don’t think they won’t be all over me?” He looked over at Reuben. “And if they waterboard me, I’ll spill my guts. I’m not naïve enough to believe that I can withstand that crap. And then I go to prison for the rest of my life. Great!”

“If that’s what you thought, why the hell did you even come with me?” Annabelle said hotly.

Reuben answered, “We came because we care about Oliver and we wanted to help him.”

“And you’ve changed your mind?” she said.

“It’s not that simple, Annabelle.”

She said fiercely, “Sure it is, Reuben. The question hasn’t changed. So your answer must have.” She looked between him and Caleb. “So what now? You two want to give up? Go back to town? Fine, go! Get the hell out of here. It’s not like I need you.”

Reuben and Caleb glanced guiltily at each other.

“Pull over the van, Caleb,” she said. “I want out of here.”

“Annabelle, just calm down,” Reuben said in a slightly raised voice.

“No, I won’t. I can’t believe that you two and Alex are such wimps that—”

Reuben roared, “Shut the hell up!”

Annabelle looked as though he’d popped her in the mouth.