before they think to look for you here.”
Chapter 9
“There we go. You’re all set now.” Artie stood back and eyeballed the man standing before him. Will caught a glimpse of his reflection in the glass door of a cabinet. He was unrecognizable. Cleaned up, in fresh clothes, and with his trademark long hair shorn to the scalp, he looked like a brand new man.
“There’s a man one town over, in Red Hill. He’ll make you disappear. New name, ID, everything. Just tell him Arthur sent you.” Artie handed Will a small scrap of paper with a single name and address as they hurried down the hallway to the front door. It was vital he get moving again. He had already spent longer here than he’d intended.
“Isn’t that…illegal?” Will worried about crossing to the wrong side of the law again.
“It is,” Artie grimaced. “And that means it’s a less than ideal solution. I wish we could avoid it, but my chief priority is keeping you safe. We’ll deal with the rest after you’re out of harm’s way.”
“How do you know him?”
“Back from my army days. I haven’t spoken to him in a long time, but I’d trust him with my life.” His confidence was reassuring.
“Thank you, truly. For everything.”
“Of course, Will. Anything.”
“I’m so sorry for putting you in this danger. If I can ever do anything for you…”
“Not to worry. You’re ol’ William’s son. I’d never turn away the son of an old friend and neither would Eddie.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small roll of bills. “Here, this should be enough to get you to his house and cover any expenses there.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Nonsense. You obviously don’t have any money on you, and I’m sure they’re already watching your bank accounts. You need a little cash to get by until the situation cools down a bit.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Will trailed off. The generosity of this man humbled him. He held several hundred dollars rolled into a ball in his hand. As he tucked it into the inside pocket of his coat, he made a mental note to find a way to repay this man.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Artie opened a small drawer in a nearby table and fiddled around inside the compartment. “Here, take this too.”
He handed Will a small, crudely carved wooden cross. It was set on a black string, forming a necklace. “What is it?”
“Something I picked up years ago in Israel. It’s real olive wood, from Bethlehem,” he explained. “I know it’s just a necklace, but take it with you anyway. Maybe it’ll be a reminder of what’s truly important and help you find comfort. Just remember…no matter how lost you may feel, you’re never, ever alone. God is always with you.” He paused before quoting a Psalm, “He’s our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
“Thanks, Artie.” Will gently slipped the corded cross around his neck. On occasion, Allie had persuaded him to come to church with her over the years, but he never felt particularly religious—not since he was a child—and certainly not since her death. Still, he appreciated the gesture.
Belief in Jesus was an integral part of Artie’s life and Will respected that about him. Besides, he could use all the help he could get. If Jesus decided to chip in some assistance…well, he just might reconsider the whole faith thing. “If I make it through this, I promise I’ll pay you back…for everything.”
“I know you will. Just get out of here before they find you.” Artie waved a hand, gesturing toward the door. “Oh, and Will? When this is all over and you’re safe again, I expect you to come clean to the authorities. Hiding is only a temporary solution. It may have been accidental—and I’m sure they’ll understand—but
Chapter 9
“There we go. You’re all set now.” Artie stood back and eyeballed the man standing before him. Will caught a glimpse of his reflection in the glass door of a cabinet. He was unrecognizable. Cleaned up, in fresh clothes, and with his trademark long hair shorn to the scalp, he looked like a brand new man.
“There’s a man one town over, in Red Hill. He’ll make you disappear. New name, ID, everything. Just tell him Arthur sent you.” Artie handed Will a small scrap of paper with a single name and address as they hurried down the hallway to the front door. It was vital he get moving again. He had already spent longer here than he’d intended.
“Isn’t that…illegal?” Will worried about crossing to the wrong side of the law again.
“It is,” Artie grimaced. “And that means it’s a less than ideal solution. I wish we could avoid it, but my chief priority is keeping you safe. We’ll deal with the rest after you’re out of harm’s way.”
“How do you know him?”
“Back from my army days. I haven’t spoken to him in a long time, but I’d trust him with my life.” His confidence was reassuring.
“Thank you, truly. For everything.”
“Of course, Will. Anything.”
“I’m so sorry for putting you in this danger. If I can ever do anything for you…”
“Not to worry. You’re ol’ William’s son. I’d never turn away the son of an old friend and neither would Eddie.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small roll of bills. “Here, this should be enough to get you to his house and cover any expenses there.”
“You don’t have to…”
“Nonsense. You obviously don’t have any money on you, and I’m sure they’re already watching your bank accounts. You need a little cash to get by until the situation cools down a bit.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Will trailed off. The generosity of this man humbled him. He held several hundred dollars rolled into a ball in his hand. As he tucked it into the inside pocket of his coat, he made a mental note to find a way to repay this man.
“You don’t have to say anything.” Artie opened a small drawer in a nearby table and fiddled around inside the compartment. “Here, take this too.”
He handed Will a small, crudely carved wooden cross. It was set on a black string, forming a necklace. “What is it?”
“Something I picked up years ago in Israel. It’s real olive wood, from Bethlehem,” he explained. “I know it’s just a necklace, but take it with you anyway. Maybe it’ll be a reminder of what’s truly important and help you find comfort. Just remember…no matter how lost you may feel, you’re never, ever alone. God is always with you.” He paused before quoting a Psalm, “He’s our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
“Thanks, Artie.” Will gently slipped the corded cross around his neck. On occasion, Allie had persuaded him to come to church with her over the years, but he never felt particularly religious—not since he was a child—and certainly not since her death. Still, he appreciated the gesture.
Belief in Jesus was an integral part of Artie’s life and Will respected that about him. Besides, he could use all the help he could get. If Jesus decided to chip in some assistance…well, he just might reconsider the whole faith thing. “If I make it through this, I promise I’ll pay you back…for everything.”
“I know you will. Just get out of here before they find you.” Artie waved a hand, gesturing toward the door. “Oh, and Will? When this is all over and you’re safe again, I expect you to come clean to the authorities. Hiding is only a temporary solution. It may have been accidental—and I’m sure they’ll understand—but
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