Page 59 - Demo

5 8 JAGGEDEDGE
The next morning, Tom left on foot before dawn hoping to get the jump on his followers. He walked down the street and ducked into his old escape alley to check. When he was sure he was not being followed, he continued down the street checking areas closely. By mid-afternoon, he stopped randomly to casually check behind himself. Seeing no sign of followers, he headed for home.
Arnetta met him at the door with concern in her face and then grabbed him before her tears ran.
“It’s okay, honey. Really it’s okay,” he reassured her.
She knew he would return, but it felt good to need and be able to hold onto someone special. After dinner they both went for their last walk for awhile. He held her hand and felt her un- easiness like being on a tightrope with the wind howling. He had to reassure her.
“I have a plan that will work for both of us, but you must be without me for awhile,” he said. “Can you handle that?”
She shook her head affirmatively.
“Then just believe that all of our dreams will come true. Can you read a map?”
Another affirmative nod.
“Only one thing can assure the success of this little opera- tion. You must do exactly as I have written and not deviate at all. When we get back, I’ll give you the plan. If you have questions, I’ll answer them on paper. All evidence of the plan must be de- stroyed afterwards. Understand?”
She looked at him letting him know it felt good to be reas- sured.
“I know you’ve probably never done anything like this be- fore, but you must treat this like a military operation, okay?”
This time she nodded her head without turning toward him. He smiled. She was a trooper he concluded. When they arrived home, Tom unveiled the plan and handed Arnetta an envelope stuffed with money orders in a money belt and cash. She was shocked at the total amount in the belt.