“The diving bell spider does this,” he’d told her. “Like a scuba diver. Carries his air around with him.” He’d done this several times in the past to “get away,” though—just like earlier—he didn’t elaborate on why he’d been escaping and from whom. Garrett had explained that if the police weren’t at the bridge they’d swim over to the boat, beach it, drain out the water and continue on their way, rowing with the oars. If the deputies were on the bridge their attention would be on the boat and they wouldn’t notice Garrett and Amelia floating ahead of it. Once past the bridge they’d kick to shore and continue their journey on foot.

Well, he’d been right about that part; they’d gotten under the bridge undetected. But Sachs was still shocked at what had happened next—unprovoked, the deputies had fired round after round at the overturned boat.

Garrett too was badly shaken by the gunshots. “They thought we were under there,” he whispered. “Fuckers tried to kill us.”

Sachs said nothing.

He added, “I’ve done some bad things … but I’m no phymata”

“What’s that?”

“An ambush bug. Lies in wait and kills. That’s what they were going to do with us. Just, like, shoot us. Not give us any chance at all.”

Oh, Lincoln, she thought, what a mess this is. Why did I do it? I should just surrender now. Wait here for the deputies, give it up. Go back to Tanner’s Corner and try to make amends.

But she looked over at Garrett, hugging himself, shivering with fear. And she knew she couldn’t turn back now. She’d have to keep going, play this crazy game out.

Knuckle time …

“Where do we go now?”

“See that house there?”

A brown A-frame.

“Is Mary Beth there?”

“Naw, but they’ve got a little trolling boat we can borrow. And we can get dry and get some food.”

Well, what did a count of breaking and entering matter after tallying up her criminal charges today?

Garrett suddenly picked up her pistol. She froze, watching the blue-black gun in his hands. Knowingly he looked in the chambers and saw it was loaded with six rounds. He clicked the cylinder into the frame of the gun and balanced it in his hand with a familiarity that unnerved her.

Whatever you think about Garrett, don’t trust him …

He glanced at her and gave a grin. Then he handed her the gun butt first. “Let’s go this way.” Nodding toward a path.

She replaced the weapon in her holster, feeling the flutter of her heart from the scare.

They walked toward the house. “It’s empty?” Sachs asked, nodding toward the structure.