I told myself that I was feeling pretty good but then I had been lying to myself. I would rather die than admit to being scared. Fear is a defence mechanism, I realized. Ever since I had ducked out of the shower to talk to Brad, I had suffered from a nagging anxiety attack. So many things had gone down the pike. How in blazes did anyone manage to track us?
The proof that relatively rank amateurs could find us left me scared silly of the pros, who surely must be able to determine where we had disappeared to. Perhaps Estrada had thrown up a smokescreen or two and left those who wished to locate me, for whatever reason, floundering a bit. I wouldn't put it past him. Although he used to berate the bejesus out of me when I was on his watch, back in the days when he was a mere watch commander, I was certain that he had my best interest at heart.
That being the case, we must make serious plans immediately. No, I told myself. No one is going to turn up here tonight. That much I can count on. Clarissa and I will sleep on it and then we'll talk it over until we reach a consensus.
At false dawn, it was the birds that woke me.