“I see he’s still around,” Thea noted.

“Not any more. I think he’s worried you’ll kick his butt.” I flickered a grin at her. She felt so much safer than he did, even though I knew she could beat me up with a blindfold on and one hand tied behind her back.

“Only if he does something. Just watch it. He’s very persuasive.”

“Barry got grounded. They don’t believe he didn’t take that stuff on purpose. And they’re watching me.”

Thea nodded. “Figured. Probably the point of the exercise. But we’ve got something more serious going on.”

“And you came looking for me. What, am I your sidekick now?” I actually didn’t really mind the idea of being exactly that. If I was honest, I was developing a bit of a crush on her…and I wasn’t sure it was a schoolgirl BFF crush either.

“No, but you might be in danger. The people who took Barry.”

“So, they’re probably behind that hold-up too.” I frowned. “They want me dead.”

“Apparently. I’m not sure exactly who they are, but they definitely want you dead. Barry was bait..”

“I was thinking it was Mr. Otter.”

“He doesn’t want you dead. That’s the last thing he wants. He wants you on his side, serving his agenda. And I’m not sure what that is right now.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t trust him. So, what can we do?”

“You’re in a very insecure position. Far too easy to find. Not nearly enough protection.”

“I have a gun.” I admitted that very quietly.

“With you?”

“No.”

“Then go get it. Can you use it?”

“I think so.” Our eyes met. “I don’t remember.”

“Get it anyway. And anything else that might be useful. We’re moving tonight.”

“Moving? If you plan on hiding me in an undisclosed location, I won’t be happy.”

“I plan on keeping you out of their hands, in one piece. Alive would be good, too.”

I laughed a bit. “I’ll get the gun. But I’m not going to be some package for delivery here.”

“You will never be that.”