“I need to reset the generator and shut down the pump and lock up. Did you wipe everything down that you touched, and I mean everything? Ten minutes tops.”

“We did just what you said,” Rosalee called to his retreating back.

“Good!” Jason bellowed in return.

“Whose car is this?” Amalie asked.

“I have no clue, but if I had to take a guess, I’d say it probably belongs to one of Jason’s roommates. He switched up so it would be harder to follow him. God, Amalie, what happened? I thought we were safe.”

“I’ll tell you what happened. It’s our own fault. Mine actually. You just did what I told you to do. We never should have bolted. When we didn’t call in the way we were supposed to, 001 saw the red flag.”

“The lady that runs the underground railroad. Is that what she’s called? You never said she was 001. Why can’t we just call her now and meet them somewhere so they can find us some place safe?”

“It doesn’t work that way, Rosy. Didn’t you pay attention when we first got there when they told us what the rules were? They said as long as we obeyed the rules and did what they said, we would be safe. To deviate or break the rules meant they were done with us. No second chances. I blew it because I panicked when I saw that tabloid. Now we’re dependent on Jason. He’s now in as much jeopardy as we are, and it’s all my fault.”

“Do you think they know about Jason?”

Amalie looked at Rosalee and grimaced. “Total disclosure, remember. We told our handler about Jason the first time you met him and how you were friends. By now, they know everything there is to know about him. That’s not a bad thing, Rosalee. What’s bad is Jason is in harm’s way just the way we are. Lincoln has sources 001 wishes she had. It’s just a matter of time before he finds us.”

Jason sprinted back to the car, his breathing ragged. “You guys ready to split this place?”

“Yes and no,” Amalie said quietly. “Where are you going to take us? Listen, Jason, I’m sorry you got involved in this. Maybe you should just take us to a bus depot, and we’ll take the next bus to wherever it’s going and hope for the best.”

“Now you know I’m not going to do any such thing. I have an idea if you girls don’t mind camping out until we can make some sense of what is going on.”

“What do you mean by camping out?” Rosalee asked nervously.

“The whole nine yards. Tents, sleeping bags, camp stove, kerosene lanterns. If you’re okay with it, we’ll stop at the next mall we see and buy what we need. I know a place that I think is safe. When I was a little kid and belonged to the Boy Scouts, we used to go camping. No one goes to that campground anymore. I read somewhere not too long ago that the Scouts shut it down and opted for more modern campgrounds. I felt sad because I had some good times there. I think it will be safe for a little while. No wild animals or anything like that. The downside is I won’t be able to stay with you. I have to get back and get into the same routine. Are you following me here?”