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Ben pulled a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket. Then, with a slow movement, he extended it toward Nikki. “It read ‘Return the article and she will remain safe. ’”

“She?” A wave of fear raised goose bumps along her arms. “Who is she?”

“There is only one she they could mean—you. ”

“We haven’t seen each other in over two years, Ben. Until this afternoon, we’ve had no contact at all. And that was a coincidence. I don’t know what this is about, but they must mean someone else. ”

He shook his head. “I don’t think our running into each other was a coincidence at all.

“What is this article they’re talking about, anyway? What’s going on, Ben? Why are you so worried?”

Nikki watched a struggle play across his face. Finally, he spoke in a low voice. “I don’t want to involve you any more than you already are. It’s safer if you don’t know. ”

The memory of being watched crept over her like a wave on the beach. She glanced toward the closed patio curtains again. Was someone out there now? What had Ben done? Who had he run afoul of?

VIRGINIA SMITH

Into the Deep

Virginia Smith

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

—Psalms 139:7–8

For Ted, my dive buddy and best friend

Acknowledgments