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Your Briefing:

Hannah and Zeke are currently in a rough spot in their relationship. Lies and secrets are tearing them apart. But with possibility of reconciliation, this very special Hannah Carmichael Chronicles instalment takes a look back to when their relationship was new. What happened when Hannah and Zeke came back from their honeymoon? Find out below!

FLASHBACK THREE:

Hannah wrapped her arms around Zeke’s neck and frowned.
“Do we have to go back to reality?” She asked, a whine in her tone. Smiling back at her, his eyes held that familiar sparkle.
“I’m afraid so Hun.” He kissed her softly, then pulled away and handed his passport to the security at the Melbourne Airport. Hannah sighed and followed through the security gate.
“Coming from Fiji?” A guard asked, his voice monotone and void of interest. Hannah smiled,
“Yes, perfect spot for a honeymoon.” The guard stopped putting bags through the x-ray machine and smiled slightly.
“I had a honeymoon once.” He went back to scanning, “it didn’t end so well.” His mutterings were ignored as Hannah grabbed hold of Zeke’s hand, heading to baggage claim.
She was due back at work next week, but Hannah had felt something shifting at CGT in the last six months. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for the new direction they were going.
They waited outside for their airport pickup and Zeke looked down at Hannah’s frown. He brushed his hand on her cheek and she smiled.
“Come on Mrs,” he paused and frowned. “Oh, that’s right, you didn’t take my last name.” Tilting his head, he tried to hide a smile. “Why is that again?”
Hannah chuckled, “Nothing against your name.” She reached up and ran her hand through his hair. She didn’t think she would ever tire of doing that.
“For work it was easier to leave it the way it was.”
Zeke rolled his eyes and raised his hand to signal their ride. “Why would a Travel Agent care about changing their last name?”
She let his question linger and tried not to stiffen. She hated that she had to keep her job a secret from her new husband. She and Zeke both travelled fairly frequently, but her trips were often to locations far different to where she told him.
With Zeke’s travel writing, he was always jetting off to amazing locations. She always ended up getting stuck in hole in the wall motels on an assignment. As she handed her bag to Zeke, her phone buzzed. She held up her finger at him and he shook his head slightly, smiling.
“Always working?” The driver asked him. Hannah turned and checked her phone, ignoring their conversation and reading the message from Steph. She frowned and turned back to Zeke. He looked amazing with his tan, standing and smiling softly in the door frame of the car.
“It’s work, I have to-“
“I know. It’s okay.” Zeke said, moving from the door and wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’ll see you at home later.” He smiled then leaned in and kissed her. She waited until his car was out of sight then spun, walking back into the airport. The small coffee shop was just outside the security entrance and she waved to Stephanie and Ian, sitting at a table in the back corner. Steph waved and smiled as Hannah sat.
“This couldn’t have waited until Monday?” She asked, putting her small travel bag with her identification down on the table.
Stephanie frowned, “I’m sorry girl, but no, it can’t.”
Ian attempted a smile, “how was Fiji?” He asked quietly. Hannah sighed and smiled.
“Good.” She said, trying not to go into details. Ian shrugged and Hannah cleared her throat. Stephanie handed her a folder and she opened the first page. The paperwork looked like ordinary travel itineraries from their fictitious travel agency, and Hannah scanned the coded words for the true information.
“Evelyn Carmichael,” Stephanie paused. “Your mum, has been sighted here in town.” Stephanie handed Hannah a copy of the newspaper. A large story on page two told of a robbery at Evelyn’s old house.
Hannah sighed, “I guess it’s back to work sooner than I thought.”

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back in TWO WEEKS for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael is facing the barrel of a gun! Moroz, the mysterious Russian agent of CGT who was presumed dead is after what everyone is after – the USB drive containing important information regarding a possible terrorist attack. Even though he says he wants to take down CGT, he is still pointing a gun at Hannah, Stephanie, Ian and Zeke – Hannah’s husband. Why does Moroz want to destroy the crooked spy agency CGT? Does Hannah have something to do with it? Will Moroz get the USB drive, and will everyone get out of this alive?

THIRTY

 Hannah watched Moroz carefully, gun still aimed in their direction.
“Then we’re on the same side” She said and he frowned.
“We will never be on the same side!” He yelled, taking another step towards her.
“You killed my Father.” He said, his voice suddenly calm. Hannah frowned and shook her head.
“What?” She asked, trying to place the family resemblance. Moroz waved his gun towards Stephanie and Hannah glanced at Zeke as she still slowly grew closer to his blind spot.
“You and her, you were on a mission in Russia. Don’t you remember?”
Hannah tried to go back in her memory. She’d been to Russia a lot in her first few years at CGT.
“It was almost Christmas. My Father had been wrongly accused of selling secrets.” Moroz talked with a cool detachment in his voice and Hannah’s eyes slowly widened. She looked over to Stephanie, the same realisation on her own face.
That was Hannah and Stephanie’s first mission without any supervisory support on the ground. The orders had been on the spot, with Stephanie taking the shot and giving Hannah the credit.
Moroz smiled as he watched them remember. “You didn’t notice the son of your target kneeling by his Father as he died?” He asked, his tone sending a shiver down Hannah’s back.
“Well, you will now.” He said, cocking his gun.
“Give me the drive. I won’t promise you’ll get a quick death, because I don’t want you to have one.” His eyes were dark and Hannah took a shaky breath.
“CGT gave those orders,” she said softly as Zeke moved closer to Moroz. He seemed oblivious, his eyes locked onto Hannah’s.
“We both want to take CGT down. Let us do it the right way.” She watched Moroz laugh just as Zeke lunged forward. Hannah ducked down and saw Stephanie and Ian reaching for Moroz’s gun. Hannah took a breath as her training kicked in. She needed the drive.
Bending onto her knees, Hannah crawled to the next post. Behind her she heard the sounds of wrestling. Not daring to look back, Hannah bent down towards the water and reached under the post. She felt the tape on the waterproof bag and smiled. Pulling at the tape she ripped the bag with the drive out from under the dock.
As she pushed herself up, the sound of a gunshot echoed on the water. Hannah spun, her heart stopping and face going white.
“No!”

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! With a heck of a cliff hanger – what will happen next? Hannah will be back in a few weeks for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there! Christy Grace

Your Briefing:
Hannah Carmichael is with her friends and fellow CGT undercover agents Stephanie and Ian. Along with her husband, Zeke Anderson, the gang are headed to retrieve a USB which contains very important information that Hannah’s mother, Evelyn Carmichael needs for a terrorist attack on a CGT building. So far, they have been kidnapped, tortured and lost one of their own, Moroz from their Russian department. What will happen when they pick up the drive? Is Evelyn close behind them? Will she get the drive and carry out her plans? 

TWENTY-NINE

Hannah stepped over what she hoped was a puddle of water and quickened her pace. Behind her, Zeke, Stephanie and Ian were following cautiously.
“You put the drive somewhere around here?” Stephanie asked, her voice low in the dark night. The street lights were getting less frequent as they moved further along the lake.
Hannah chuckled, “I told you it would be somewhere Evelyn wouldn’t look.” Behind her, Hannah heard Ian grunting and she turned. He had tripped and was trying to maintain his balance.
“When did you get time to put it here?” Ian asked, stumbling into Stephanie. She huffed and pushed him backwards.
Hannah smiled and shook her head. “I swapped the original drive when you all were sleeping at that motel on the way to Evelyn’s safe house.”
Stephanie’s eyes widened.
“I couldn’t risk Evelyn getting her hands on the real drive. So as a precaution, I made a decoy drive that looked the same.” Hannah shrugged, “I figured it was a good time to swap it out when you caught me giving Zeke an update.” Hannah smiled at Stephanie and shrugged, “Just in case.”
Hannah moved around a corner towards a small fishing boat dock.
“Why wouldn’t Evelyn look here?” Zeke asked, falling into step with Hannah. She glanced at him and exhaled.
“We came here on my tenth birthday.”
Zeke frowned and looked around at the damp, dirty surroundings. “Why here?” He asked, Hannah quickened her step towards her hiding spot.
“I found out a few years later that it was a dead drop for something she was involved in.” She shrugged, “beginning of the end.” She muttered as they walked on the uneven dock. Hannah counted the posts then heard the others stop walking behind her. She paused, turning slowly and watching as Moroz stood, gun aimed at the four of them. Hannah’s gun was tucked into her waistband, but Moroz would get a shot off before she had a chance to pull it out.
“Surprised?” He asked, his Russian accent thicker than she had remembered.
Stephanie scoffed, “we thought you were dead. How did you survive?” She asked, her voice cold and hard. Hannah glanced at Zeke then to the right of Moroz, the only spot they could take him by surprise. Zeke had followed her eye line and gave her the slightest hint of a nod. She turned back to Moroz.
“I have my ways.” He said, sneering at them.
Hannah cleared her throat, “what are you doing here?” She asked, giving him a smile. He took a step closer, his face red and his eyes wide.
“I want the drive!” He yelled, not aware of Zeke taking a few small steps closer.
“What for?” Hannah asked, trying to buy Zeke more time. Moroz smiled, his eyes a fire of rage.
“I want to do what Evelyn, and clearly you, cannot do. I want to destroy CGT.”

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace

Your Briefing:

Undercover agent Hannah, and her former handler and husband, Zeke have a small window to rescue Stephanie and Ian, agents of the crooked CGT spy agency, and Hannah’s friends. Her mother, Evelyn Carmichael had captured the four to locate a USB drive which Hannah had in her possession. When Hannah agreed to take her to the drive, she double crossed her mother and Evelyn escaped. Now headed back to rescue Steph and Ian, Hannah and Zeke are running out of time to find their friends alive, and stop Evelyn’s terrorist attack which is imminent on a CGT building. What will they find when they head back to rescue Stephanie and Ian? Will they be able to save their friends before it’s too late, and stop Evelyn? 

TWENTY-EIGHT

Hannah paused as they walked through another similar looking hallway. When they’d been led out of Evelyn’s warehouse earlier, she had tried to take note of the layout.

As they rounded another corner, Hannah came to a halt and tried to steady herself and the gun in her hands. She smiled as she saw Stephanie, also trying not to topple over.

“Hannah!” Stephanie said in a loud whisper. She glanced around and swallowed Hannah in a hug.

“Not that I want to crash the party or anything,” Zeke said behind Hannah. She pulled away from Steph and turned.

“But we should really take this somewhere else.” He nodded to Ian and turned, starting back the way they came. Hannah passed Stephanie a spare weapon and Ian frowned,

“What about me?” He asked, his voice low. Hannah shrugged,

“No more.” She said, moving swiftly through the hallways towards the warehouse exit.

“What is it with Evelyn and warehouses?” Stephanie asked. Hannah tried not to laugh.

“How did you get out?” She asked instead. Zeke held out his arm and Hannah stopped as he checked around the next corner. She turned and Stephanie grinned.

“We were being moved and saw an opening. The guards are unconscious in a closet somewhere.” She smiled and Hannah looked back at Zeke as he signalled that the way was clear. They were almost at the door when the deafening buildings alarms echoed through the hallways. All the doors and windows started to release bars and secure locks.

The four agents raced towards the door. As they made their way to the door with bars slowly descending, bullets hit the walls in front of them. Hannah stopped running and spun, shooting back at the guards. As they ducked for cover, Hannah heard Zeke yelling her name. She glanced back and saw Stephanie and Ian ducking under the back door.

After a few more shots, Hannah turned and ran towards the door. With the bars halfway down, she slid underneath and waited as Zeke followed.

Outside, shouts were getting louder and cars approached.

“This way!” Zeke yelled, leading them to where he had their car stashed. They boarded the car as Zeke threw it into gear. Sounds of gunshots and cars behind them slowly disappeared as Zeke moved down alleys and side streets. When they were satisfied they had lost the guards, Zeke glanced at Stephanie and Ian in the backseat.

“Why can’t we ever just hang out like normal people?” He asked, a smile appearing.

Hannah smiled, “After this, wouldn’t sitting at home on the couch watching movies seem boring?” She asked. Zeke shot her a mischievous glance, eyes twinkling. She rolled her shoulders and looked out the window, suddenly uncomfortable. He sighed and Stephanie moved forward in her chair.

“So what now?” She asked, “Where’s the drive?”

Hannah smiled, “Somewhere Evelyn would never look.”

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back in TWO Thursdays time for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace

Your Briefing

Hannah Carmichael and her husband, Zeke Anderson have been Captured! Held prisoner, they were at the brink of being tortured by Hannah’s mother, Evelyn Carmichael. Evelyn is searching for a USB drive that Hannah is holding onto to stop her mysterious terrorist attack. Hannah’s friends and fellow agents of the CGT spy agency are also being held prisoner nearby. In the last instalment, Hannah reluctantly told Evelyn that she still has the drive, but that she has to take it to her. Even though Hannah is undercover at her crooked spy agency, she can’t allow Evelyn to get the drive. Will Hannah actually lead Evelyn to the drive? If she does, how will they stop her attack? What about Stephanie and Ian, the other agents?

TWENTY-SEVEN

Hannah tried to steady herself as the guard behind her pushed her forward. She frowned and turned to where Evelyn was walking a short way back, holding Zeke at gunpoint. Evelyn had claimed she brought him as incentive, but Hannah knew it was really so she could dispose of them both when she had what she wanted.
She turned when she saw the narrow alley and kept walking. The drive wasn’t down here, but Hannah had a plan.
“So I think it’s time to tell me exactly what building these plans are for.” Hannah turned and gave Evelyn a half smile. “And what you’re going to do with them.”
Turning, Hannah took small steps around puddles she didn’t want to know about.
“Since you’re probably going to kill us anyway, you may as well.” Zeke said behind her. Hannah smiled, waiting while Evelyn was silent for a moment.
“Ok Dear. The building on those plans is nothing particularly impressive.”
Hannah stopped and spun around, ignoring the guard. “Then why all this bother?” She asked, narrowing her eyes.
Evelyn smiled, “because, it’s the headquarters of a very important CGT building.”
Hannah frowned, “CGT?” Her mind began racing. Did Evelyn know that CGT were dirty? Or was she simply trying to take down any form of the Government?
“What’s the building?” Zeke asked, his voice eager. Evelyn tutted and shook her head.
“Even in death, I’m not going to reveal that information.”
Hannah turned and kept walking, remembering all the nooks and crannies from this particular alley. Coming up ahead was a dumpster where a homeless man stayed. A homeless man who carried a surprising amount of weapons.
“So you’re going to, what? Blow it up?” Hannah asked, lowering her hands to her side.
“What else.” Evelyn said, unable to hide her pride. Hannah took a deep breath as they approached the dumpster and clicked her tongue three times.
Brian, the homeless man, was often a source for her when she wanted to know what was happening on the streets. The clicking was their secret code that she was coming, and he wasn’t safe. She paused and turned, trying to stall.
“Did you ever love me, or Dad? Or was that all pretend?” She asked, putting her hands behind her back. She shifted her weight evenly and waited, her mother frowning.
“If you have to ask that question, then your Father and I didn’t raise you properly.” Evelyn pouted and pushed Zeke to keep walking. Hannah felt cold hard metal placed gently into her hands and she smiled at Zeke. He frowned then glanced behind her.
Hannah was sure that Brian was crouched down, waiting for her signal. She had shown Brian pictures of Zeke when they had talked about their families, so Hannah wasn’t worried. Zeke gave a slight nod, first to Brian, then to her. Hannah kept her eyes fixed on Evelyn, who had started moving closer.
“The drive is just behind this dumpster here.” Hannah said, taking one step backwards. When she had distanced herself more from the guard, Hannah pulled the gun from behind her back and aimed, firing at the guard’s leg. He howled in pain and reached for his own gun.
Hannah moved out of Brian’s line of fire and he let several bullets go. The guard fell to the ground and Evelyn ducked behind a strip of large rubbish bins. Zeke moved closer to Hannah and Brian tossed him a knife.
Despite his tied hands, Zeke caught the knife and moved behind her as she aimed the gun in Evelyn’s direction. She heard the slice of his rope being severed behind her and she sent warning shots in her mother’s direction.
Evelyn popped up from behind the bins and shot bullets in their direction. Hannah ducked and moved behind the dumpster with Brian and Zeke. With a gun now in his hands, Zeke nodded to her then peeked his head out. When he looked back, he shook his head and they all moved cautiously out from behind the dumpster. They approached Evelyn’s hiding spot with no sign of her.
“I’ll go after her!” Brian said, already moving.
“Be careful Brian.” Hannah said after him, “and let me know if you find her!”
As Brian moved down the alley towards the only exit, Hannah turned back to Zeke and smiled. “Well that was exciting.” She motioned down towards the dead guard. “What do you want to do about him?” She asked. Zeke’s eyes widened,
“Why me?” He asked,
“You’re the real government agent, remember?” She said, a slight edge in her tone. He sighed and reached into his pocket, calling in the shoot. Hannah put the gun into her waistband and started walking back down the alley. Behind her, Zeke ran to catch her.
“Hey, where are you going?” He asked, walking in step with her.
“I’m going back for Stephanie and Ian.” She replied, keeping her steps even.
“What about the drive?” Zeke asked. Hannah stopped and smiled at him.
“It was never here, Zeke. Do you think I’m stupid, that I would just hand it over?”
He frowned, “I didn’t say that.” He looked around the alley before giving her a smile. “It was a good plan.” He said quietly, putting his own gun into his waistband and walking towards the street.
“You’re coming with me?” She asked, making sure to walk faster than him. He allowed her to overtake him and chuckled behind her.
“Where else do I have to be? I’m suspended, remember?”
Hannah smiled and kept walking. She had to rescue her friends and stop Evelyn Carmichael.

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace 

Your Briefing:

Hannah and her husband Zeke, were having a secret meeting on the beach when everything went black. They have been taken. What will happen when Hannah wakes up? Who has taken them? What do they want? Hannah is undercover at CGT, the crooked spy agency, trying to take them down from the inside. Zeke is currently on suspension as Hannah’s handler from his job with the real government. A USB drive containing plans necessary for a terrorist attack that Hannah’s mother – Evelyn Carmichael – needs is being guarded by Hannah. Trying to track her down, Hannah and her fellow undercover agents Stephanie and Ian, had lost the trail. When Hannah wakes up, who has taken her? Does CGT know her secret? Is Evelyn resurfacing?

TWENTY-SIX

The sound of a faint whistling woke Hannah and she groaned. Her head was throbbing and she tried to move her hands to her head. When they wouldn’t budge she tried again and felt them trapped behind her back, surrounded by a rope.
Her eyes shot open and she waited to adjust to the light. She was tied to a pole in a dim and dirty warehouse with shattered windows open to her left and right. Wind rippled through what used to be curtains still attached and Hannah shivered. Hannah’s eyes stopped on another person tied to a pole on the opposite side of the room. He seemed to be unconscious and Hannah tried to loosen her ties.
She stopped, knowing the restraints would only tighten the more she struggled, and instead turned her attention to the man. His head was bowed down at his chest and she could see his chest rise and fall. She tried to think; how did she get here?
The last thing she remembered was waves and sea air.
“Zeke?” Hannah hissed at her husband. The memory of before the drugs had returned and she looked around the warehouse room. No one was inside, so whoever had taken them must have a guard stationed outside the door.
“Zeke?” Hannah spoke louder and Zeke stirred, lifting his head and opening his eyes. He looked at her through foggy eyes and frowned.
“Zeke, snap out of it. I need you.” Hannah said, her voice sharp. Zeke shook his head and squinted his eyes, blinking at the light.
“What? How?” He started mumbling before his eyes widened. He fidgeted with his restraints then sighed and dropped his shoulders. Hannah took note of their best chance at escape and cleared her throat. Zeke looked up at her,
“Over there.” She motioned with her head towards the window which was equal distance between herself and Zeke. He followed her gaze and nodded, turning back.
“Not quite the reunion I was hoping for back at the beach.” He said, attempting a smile. Hannah rolled her eyes then smiled back.
The door behind her creaked open and she craned her neck. Watching Zeke’s reaction, Hannah caught her breath as he turned white.
“Hannah Dear, how nice of you to drop in.” The sound of Evelyn Carmichael’s voice sent a chill down her spine and Hannah sighed.
“Mother.” She said flatly. Evelyn circled around to face Hannah, smiling. Her mother looked tired, despite her attempt to hide the circles under her eyes with makeup.
“Hannah, I am growing tired of our games.” She said, turning and walking towards Zeke. A man wheeled in a table that was covered by a sheet and Zeke smiled.
“Mother Dear, how have you been?” He asked. Evelyn stopped walking, her hands twitching at her side. Hannah smiled, she hated it when Zeke called her Mother.
Evelyn continued walking towards Zeke and her guard rolled the small table next to her. Evelyn turned back to Hannah, her eyes dark.
“You know what I want, and I’m only going to ask nicely once more.” She glanced back at Zeke and Hannah swallowed.
“I don’t have it anymore Evelyn.” Hannah replied. Evelyn shook her head and turned to the table, whipping the sheet off. Instruments Hannah was all too familiar with lined a silver tray on the table. Evelyn picked up a small knife and spun it in her hand.
“I gave it to Stephanie,” Hannah said, her tone uneven. She tried to slow her breathing to keep herself calm and Evelyn smiled. She turned and ran the flat end of the blade against Zeke’s chest.
“I would ordinarily believe you. But you see Dear,” Evelyn moved the knife and the point lifted to Zeke’s neck. “Stephanie and Ian are in the other room.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows and tried to calculate their best escape options.
“They’ve already been searched and,” Evelyn paused and turned to face Hannah, a dark smile on her face. “Questioned.”
Turning back to Zeke, Evelyn took a deep breath.
“Go ahead,” Hannah’s words caused raised eyebrows in the room and Evelyn spun.
“Go ahead and what?” She spat out. Hannah kept her tone even and nodded towards Zeke,
“Go ahead and kill him.”
Evelyn shook her head and started to click her tongue. “Am I detecting some marital problems?” She asked, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous gleam.
“He lied to me. You were right.” Hannah said, trying not to meet Zeke’s eye. Evelyn took a step towards Hannah and studied her face. Finally she smiled and started to laugh.
“You can try dear, but you can’t fool your own Mother.” She moved back to Zeke and slid the blade on the side of his left arm, giving him a shallow cut. He winced but remained silent. Hannah exhaled and struggled against her restraints.
Her bluff had failed. She couldn’t hide her love for Zeke, and her Mother knew her too well.
“Fine.” Hannah said,
“No Hannah, don’t tell her anything.” Zeke’s words cause Evelyn’s face to scrunch. She used her other hand to slap him across the face. Hannah tried to reach forward and took a breath.
“I still have the drive.” Hannah said quickly. Evelyn turned and smiled.
“I knew you did, Dear.” Evelyn’s calm and smooth charm returned and Hannah resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“It’s not here.” Hannah said simply, hanging her head slightly.
“Well, where is it then?” Evelyn’s voice was impatient and Hannah tried to hide the smile on her face before she looked back up at her Mother.
“I have to take you to it.”

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!
Christy Grace

Your Briefing:

Hannah Carmichael is back undercover at CGT, trying to track down her mother Evelyn. The only thing stopping her terror attack is the USB drive that Hannah is still in possession of. Zeke Anderson, Hannah’s husband, is her contact with the government to try and bring down Evelyn and CGT. After being suspended for going after her when she was missing, without his boss’ permission, Zeke sent a message to Hannah to meet him at ‘their spot’. What will happen when they meet up? Will they be able to find a way to stop Evelyn? Does Hannah still have the drive? Will Hannah and Zeke be able to repair their relationship after lying to each other about who they really were? 

TWENTY-FIVE:

Zeke tapped his foot and tried to focus on his book. He had read the same sentence more times than he could remember and he sighed, glancing up. Hannah hadn’t arrived yet and he was starting to worry.
He had left that note with Baxter three hours ago and come straight to the place where he had proposed to Hannah. A small smile crept onto his face as he remembered his clumsy attempt at surprising her with a song on their favourite beach. He had forgotten half the words and dropped the ring box, but she had said yes anyway.
Looking up again, Zeke listened past the waves to a car arriving a short distance to his left. She was here.
He tried to pay no attention to her as she made her way to the bench and sat down on the other side. He sighed and glanced at her as she pulled out her phone.
“Good to see you,” she said. “I was worried about a suspension after the safe house fire. Baxter confirmed it this afternoon.”
Zeke frowned, “It isn’t permanent.” He said, watching a smile cross her face. He sighed,
“Anthony believed our story.” Hannah said, pretending to be engrossed in her phone. “We searched, but there is no sign of Evelyn.” Hannah put her phone down and turned to the ocean behind her.
“Seems like too long since we were happy here.” Hannah said quietly. Zeke ignored his book and turned to face her. Her hair was out and the wind was tossing it from side to side.
“We can be happy.” Zeke said, watching her. She exhaled and turned to face him, smiling.
“I still have the drive with the plans.” She said, the shift in conversation causing him to shift in his seat and frown. He shuffled closer to her and her smile dropped.
“Do you remember Christmas Day the first year we were dating?” Zeke asked. Hannah smiled and chuckled.
“How could I forget that?” Her eyes grew distant and he moved a little closer.
“It was the first time I had met your parents, back when they were still together and Evelyn wasn’t…” his voice trailed off and she shrugged.
“A wanted criminal?” Her tone was cold and Zeke shifted again. “I spilled punch all over myself, and your parent’s new white carpet.” He said softly. She smiled and her eyes softened.
“They had to buy a new carpet.” She said, her voice shaking a little. “That punch was deep red.”
Zeke smiled wider and they sat for a moment, staring at each other. Hannah pulled back as far as she could on the chair and cleared her throat.
“I’m not the only one who lied in this relationship you know.” Zeke said, unable to keep the sharp tone out of his voice. Hannah looked up at him, fire behind her eyes.
“I know that.” She bit out at him. He sighed and they sat in silence before Hannah exhaled loudly.
“I’m not angry at you exactly.” She said finally. Zeke raised his eyebrows and sat silent.
“I’m angry that I was on the wrong side.”
Zeke sighed and looked over at his wife. As he started to say something, the edges around her grew darker and the world began to fade. He reached out for her, but before he could touch her, the world was silent and dark.

Author’s Note:

Thanks for reading this week’s instalment of the Hannah Carmichael Chronicles! Hannah will be back next Thursday for the next part of her adventure – we both look forward to seeing you there!

Christy Grace