Chapter 56 Section VIII

After Sanchez checked the parking lot, Decker nervously pushed Beth through the side door of the hospital.He was very vigilant lest any dangerous situation should happen in this remote place.He helped Beth out of the wheelchair and into the back of the police car, then quickly closed the door and sat in the front seat of the car. "Why don't you sit in the back with me?" Beth asked as the police car pulled away. Decker didn't answer. "Oh," she understood, and her voice lowered accordingly, "You want to keep a distance from me, lest..." "It even occurs to me now that I shouldn't be in the car with you," Decker said. "Esperanza was right, and someone would try to assault me. I don't want you to be in any danger if that happens." I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt because of me." He nervously checked the vehicles behind them.

"I can't bear the thought of being separated from you," said Beth. "Are you really determined that we shall see each other no more until this is over?" "If I could think of a safer way, I'd do it," Decker said. "We can escape from here and hide." Sanchez glanced back at her. "Officer Esperanza would not approve of you doing this. In fact, I guarantee he will do everything in his power to prevent you from doing this." "That's part of your job right now, isn't it?" Decker asked. "To keep me from leaving here?"

no answer. "We'd better not take St. Michael's Avenue when we go back," Decker said. "We'll go another way, so they won't think about it." Sanchez looked at him strangely. "From your tone, it seems that this is not the first time you have thought that you are being watched." "Going the other way is just a logical precaution." Decker turned to Beth. "We'll drop you off in front of your house. You told me you were going back east on errands, and you'd be leaving tomorrow. It's a good time. I know, with the way your arms look like, you Probably don't want to travel, but you can rest easy when you get to New York. It's actually a good idea to stay with your relatives when you're done. You're going to stay longer. I think you should Leave, let's go this afternoon."

Beth seemed overwhelmed. "That's the only way it's going to work," Decker said. "I can't believe Esperanza is right yet, but if he's right, people who want to kill me will use you as a weapon and maybe kidnap you." you." "Kidnap me?" "We're looking at that as a possibility." "My God, Steve." "We can be reached by phone. You can come back as soon as Esperanza deems it safe." "Can't we really be together?" "Maybe not for long, maybe just a few days." They fell into awkward silence.Sanchez drove up Beth's driveway and parked the police car sideways in a more secluded spot outside the gate of her courtyard wall.

Beth curled up and got out of the car with Decker's help.While Sanchez waited in the police car, Decker and Beth entered the yard and stopped in the shadows under the gatehouse.They looked at each other. "It must have been a mistake," Beth said. "I feel as if I'm having a nightmare. Only in your arms can I wake up from the dream and find that it never happened." Decker shook his head. "Can you think of a reason someone would kill you?" Beth asked. "I've asked myself a hundred, a thousand times, but I can't find the answer," Decker lied.He watched Beth's face nervously. "Since I won't see you for a while, I want to remember your every frown and smile."

He leaned over and kissed her lips as gently as possible, lest he touch her injured shoulder. Regardless of the shoulder injury, Beth wrapped her other arm tightly around Decker and kissed him as if to become one with him.She flinched as her shoulders were squeezed. She pressed her face against his, and said in a low and urgent voice: "Run away with me." "No, I can not." She turned her face away, and her eyes begged him earnestly. "I beg you." "Didn't Sanchez tell you that the police will stop us." "If you really love me..." "Because I love you, I can't push you into the fire pit. Maybe we can trick the police and escape, but the people who chase me will follow me, and we will always live in fear. I don't want you to live like that." Day. I love you too much to ruin your life."

"I beg you one last time - please come with me." Decker shook his head firmly. "You don't know how much I miss you." "You just keep in mind that we won't be apart forever," Decker said. "With luck, we'll be back together before long. Wherever you go, give me a payphone .We'll figure out a way to keep in touch. And..." Decker took a deep breath, "There are many, many details that need to be ironed out. I'll have Esperanza send a cop to take you to the airport, and also--" Beth put a finger to his lips. "I believe you will arrange everything." She hesitated and added: "I will call your home after I have arranged the plane trip."

"Do you need my help with packing?" "Most things are already packed." Decker gave her one last kiss. "Don't forget the best times we had together," Beth said. "There will be many more times like this." Decker waited there, watching Beth enter the house.It wasn't until she closed the door that he turned around and walked towards the police car.