Bay Hideaway by Beth Loughner

were kept in a barred but partially open room. One shout was all it would take.
    Still, she hoped she was doing the sensible thing. A tight little cord knotted in her throat as she reached inside her purse. The tiny manila envelope felt smooth between her fingers as she withdrew it from the inside pocket. Slowly, she tipped the envelope and let the key slide out into her other hand then laid it in front of the clerk.
    “Number 243,” she told the waiting teller in low tones, tilting the numbered key for her to verify.
    Again, the smartly dressed young woman gave Nathan another perusal. “Let me find your card.”
    Judi scrutinized the clerk as she opened a large box and speculated that this woman was already falling under Nathan’s spell—without him even saying a word. How could the man not know how much he affected women?
    Several three-by-five cards were flipped forward until the clerk plucked one out and gave it a close look. “This is your first time accessing the box.” There was a note of surprise in her statement, but she shrugged and placed the card in front of Judi. “Just sign your name and date it on the first line.”
    Judi did as instructed and slid the card back across the counter.
    “Come on back,” the clerk directed, swinging open the half door attached to the counter. “The gentleman will be accompanying you?” she asked politely.
    Judi looked up at Nathan’s solemn face and gave the clerk a reassuring smile she didn’t feel. “Yes.”
    The clerk turned around, popped a large skeleton key into the lock, and the bolt slid back with a loud clang. The heavy barred door creaked open, and Judi followed the bank teller to the boxes. Finding the numbered box, the clerk stopped to inspect the ring of bank keys, trying three before finding the right match.
    “Got it!” the clerk proclaimed in triumph. She took Judi’s key and twisted both sets until the little metal door released. “These can be tricky at times.” She paused. “Will there be anything else?”
    Feeling slightly dazed, Judi just shook her head.
    “That will be all for now,” Nathan spoke for the first time, picking up the slack. His mouth suddenly softened. “Thank you for your help.”
    “You’re welcome.” The clerk flashed him a curious smile before turning back to Judi. “The door will automatically lock behind me. Buzz the doorbell when you’re finished and one of us will come to let you out.”
    Judi watched as the heavy door banged shut behind the clerk and the security device clicked loudly.
    Alone!
    Judi blinked nervously, feeling the silence envelop her like a sealed tomb. The room suddenly felt chilly.
    Nathan’s voice cut through the quiet. “Do you want me to lift the box?”
    “No.” She threw him a swift glance and took a steadying breath. “I can reach it.”
    When Nathan stepped back to allow her room, she slid the box from the compartment and carried it to the waiting table, her instantly cold fingers resting on the lid. A frigid shiver of apprehension feathered across her skin. She hadn’t seen or touched the letters since placing them in the box two years ago. The thought of resurrecting this appalling segment of her past weighed heavily on her mind.
    She had hoped to never face the nasty accusations and threats again, but here she was, conscious of the growing and searing pain around her fearful heart. Even the deposit box repulsed and burned at her very being, and her fingers impulsively recoiled in agitation and disgust.
    “Are you all right?” demanded Nathan, his hand tightly gripping her arm as he guided her less than a foot away to sit in the worn, straight-backed chair to which she sank like a lead-based bottle. Instantly, he was looking down at her with concern, his anger momentarily postponed. “You’re beyond pale and completely white.”
    “Nathan—” Avoiding his narrow, probing glance, she turned her head and made an effort to move her arm out of reach. “I can’t do this.”