138|Not Different From Him

Austin glanced at the digital display on the radio, groaning when he saw it was after three and schools were long out. Going to Sea Point now would be an utter waste of time. So he found the nearest exit and headed to Pelican Surf, calling his handlers on the way to the beach to check where they were.

Arno picked up and confirmed they were headed to Tidal Wave for Orlando's swimming lesson.

"Is Beth okay?" Austin asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. She called me out of the blue today and told me she misses me."

"And that's a bad thing, why?" Arno asked.

"I can't shake this feeling that something's wrong," Austin said.

When Arno remained evasive and tried to rush him off the call, he knew something was definitely wrong. He figured the other man couldn't talk because Marybeth was with him.

"Anyway," he said, wrapping up the call. "I'm at the beach. Bring them straight here after the swim lesson."

"Will do," said Arno before hanging up.

Austin found Jerome wiping down the tables. The