Ingrid had found this book several months ago—it took time to track down the recipient. She would like to see the reaction of Jean Simpson of North Carolina, USA, when she opened the package containing this book. She might smile and brush away a tear at the thought of the grandfather she never knew. She might even tell someone at the local paper which, in a small town, might run a feature on the front page of a smiling Jean Simpson with the book Ingrid had sent. It warmed Ingrid’s heart to imagine such a scene. She sealed the letter in a thick, cream envelope and placed it on top of the book. She would have another cup of coffee, in the garden this time, then carefully wrap Jean Simpson’s package for shipment to America.

Patton and Nemo slipped out the back door and dashed across the yard into a stand of white pines. She kept her gun trained on him as they ran, then grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a thicket of brambles where anyone walking through the yard would be unlikely to see them.

“You got any great ideas how to get away from these guys?” she said.

“Do you know that first curve in Lone Pine Road after it turns off the main road?” said Nemo. “There’s a little gravel pull-out there that leads behind some trees. Looks like people use it for a make-out spot.”

“I’m not going to make out with you,” said Patton.

“I’ve got a car there,” said Nemo. “They might know to look out for yours.”

“And you expect me to just go with you?”

“You’re holding the gun,” said Nemo. “I think you’ll be safe.”

“Good point,” said Patton. “Yeah, I know the spot.”

“Can you get us there without being seen?”

“You mean cut through the woods? Sure. I know this mountain like the back of my hand. It’s rugged going, but we could make it in twenty minutes or so.”

“Perfect,” said Nemo.

As she started to motion to him to make his way downhill, they heard voices. Not menacing assassins, but jocular voices. Sheriff Tommy Linton and his volunteer deputy, Art Handy—the entire law enforcement community of Alta Vista—were walking across Patton’s yard.

“It’s OK,” whispered Patton. “I know these guys. They’re cops.”

Nemo held up a finger and shook his head slowly. As much as she wanted to greet Tommy and Art, she saw the warning in Nemo’s eyes. She had seen that look before, and her instinct told her to heed it.

“I don’t see nothing,” said Art, standing at Patton’s back door where she could just glimpse his ball cap through the branches.