There was a pause on the other end of the line.

I could hear the faint sound of typing through the speaker.

“I need to clear this with the Assistant U.S. Attorney,” Miller said.

“Do it now,” Adrian said. “We’re freezing out here.”

“Go to the diner on Route 12,” Miller said. “The one with the yellow sign. Wait in the back booth. I’ll have a car pick you up in an hour.”

“No cars,” Adrian said. “We’ll meet you at the diner. But if I see anyone other than you, the deal is dead.”

The call went silent.

Adrian slid the phone into his coat pocket.

He reached out and took my hand.

His fingers were ice-cold, but his grip was firm.

“Come on,” he said. “We have to walk.”

We stepped over the guardrail and trudged through the deep snow.

The wind howled across the open fields, biting into my face.

I wrapped my coat tighter around my belly, trying to keep the baby warm.

“Adrian, is this real?” I asked, my voice shaking from the cold.

“It’s the only way out, Claire,” he said.