“You accuse me of being a coward. It takes courage to make a decision. I’m asking you to make one. But the decision to kill your husband is a delusion. Murder is just another cop out. What I’m offering you is a life free from tyranny. You have lived in fear of David for too long. Now you can escape. He will not search for you if he thinks you’re dead.” Matt stood and hugged her. “Come with me, Amy. This can be a great adventure. I’ll take care of you. Don’t be afraid.”

She looked up at him with a tear-streaked face. “But I am afraid.”

“I was afraid when it came time to leap from my plane. But you know what I thought?”

“What?”

“I thought of you. Then I was able to jump.”

She trembled in his hands. His hatred of a moment ago was replaced by a wave of love. Her voice came out small and vulnerable.

“But I’m not you. You’re a genius. I’m just a stupid girl.”

He kissed her forehead. “We’re not so different. After all that’s happened, that’s got to be the reason we’re still together. Go back upstairs. Return to bed if you want, as long as you don’t wake David. You have thirty minutes to make up your mind. If you’re not back down here by then, I’ll be gone.”

She pulled away and studied his face. “You’re not bluffing.”

He shook his head. “I can’t afford to bluff anymore.”

She left and he put on his wet suit and checked the power supply in the Farallon. He laughed softly to himself. This time he was sure he saw the light in her eyes. She would come with him, he knew it. She really did love him.

Ten minutes later his cell phone rang. He had the volume down low.

“Hello?” he said. Why would Amy call?

“Simon? It’s Kathy.” She sounded out of breath.

He had forgotten he had given her the number. “How are you?”

“Fine. How are you?”

“Great. Hey, would it be okay if I called you later? I’m sort of busy right now.”

“No. We have to talk now,” she said.

“What’s the matter? Are you sick again?”

She sighed audibly. He thought he heard a motor in the background.

“I’m not sick. But I’m not far behind you. Maybe a quarter of a mile.”

Matt swallowed. “Excuse me?”

“I’m following your boat.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you’re in danger. Amy’s setting you up.”

A knife made of ice went through his chest.

“Who are you?” he whispered.