Chapter 28

"No," said Joseph quickly. "I mean not here in the house... here in town. The police could be here in town in any minute."

"Oh... but why? I mean what happened?" asked Clarisse still puzzled.

"Actually," Joseph's brain worked on hundred percent to find something out, then decided the simplest will be the best, "It seems your husband somehow got into his head that you're not in the sanatorium anymore."

"Gosh... but what do we have to do now?"

"I think you should go back for a short time... just until they will have a check on you," he added quickly.

"Of course, if it's necessary." she agreed deep in thought. "So... when do we have to go? You said the police could be here in any minute... you mean literally or we still have time until morning?"

"No, we probably haven't. We have to go as soon as we can, so can you get dressed and pack your things within twenty minutes?"

"Yes, sure..." she nodded absentmindedly.

"You okay?" asked Joseph, gently stroking her arm.

"Uh-huh."

"Hey... everything will be alright." he whispered, and her answer was a slight smile.

"I know."

"That's the way to talk."

"So I think I go and start packing now..."

"Fine."

"But just one more thing," she stopped, "How many days should I pack for?"

"Maybe it would be the best if you would pack everything."

"Everything?" she repeated surprised.

"Yes. You know, just in case."

"Uh-huh..." she murmured and took a few steps, when Joseph added kindly,

"... I'm coming in a minute," but her mind was already somewhere else...

"To the sanatorium?!" asked Martin as they remained alone. "Do you think it's a wise idea?"

"Why? They already checked that place... so I think it's better than run away."

"Actually, Phil advised the same..."

"See? That place will be fine for a few days."

"For a few days? Do you really think this whole thing will last that long?"

"I only hope so..." said Joseph, but seeing the sadness on his father's face he quickly added. "I mean if we're lucky we can get away with it with a few days and do not have to really run away."

"Oh, in that case yes... hopefully just a few days."

"Look, they have to find this house first, that's time... or if they'll just check every house here, that's also time."

"That's true."

"So... you have that gadget I've sent you last time, right?" he changed the subject.

"Yes, of course, it's in my pocket all the time. We'll communicate the usual way, through that website?" asked Martin.

"Uh-huh, it's out of sight and still safer than a phone-call."

"Fine... and I think you should go soon."

"You're right, but there's something else... after we left the house, could you pack away everything after us?"

"Of course, I did it quite a few times during these years... you know, your job is still the same."

"That's true," Joseph nodded with a sigh.

"And while you're upstairs, I'll prepare some food and drink for the two of you... I'm sure it will come in handy."

"Thanks Dad, really... I mean for everything."

"That's what fathers do, right?"

OOOOOOO

A few minutes later they were already on their way to the sanatorium, fortunately it was dark outside so no-one was on the streets...

"All is well?" asked Joseph, glancing at her during driving.

"Uh-huh... of course."

"It didn't sound convincing."

"... I was just wondering."

"Wondering on what?" he asked softly, trying to look at her and watch the road also.

"Will you..." she didn't know how to ask it.

"..."

"Will you stay with me after we arrived or I have to be alone?" she asked with one breath.

"What?!" he had to pull back the steering wheel. "Of course I'll be with you Clarisse! I would never leave you alone, gosh... why do you think that?"

"I... I just didn't see you packing."

"Oh..." he sighed relieved, finally understanding her. "Actually, I never really pack out, it's a bad habit about my work... so I just dropped my bag into the car with the food and drink."

"That's reassuring..." she finally smiled a bit, but just on her own silliness.

"Yes, we won't starve that's sure." he tried to ease her, but a moment later she just continued her questions.

"And... for how long do we have to stay there?" she asked, so Joseph had to pull himself together again.

"Um, I don't know... maybe for a day or two."

"I've thought they just come immediately and check on me."

"Maybe they'll come now, but maybe a bit later... we don't know much. Everything is pretty unsure you know."

"Of course, but what will you do when they come? We can't let them find you."

"Then I'll hide somewhere, don't worry about that." he answered, but didn't dare to look at her, because he felt so guilty.

"Okay..." she said softly, "But I just fear for you."

"I know, but you really don't have to," he smiled encouragingly, while he was thinking on how lucky he is to have her...

"We're nearly there, right?" she asked after a few minutes.

"Yes, it's just around the corner."

"So what's the plan when we arrived?"

"We'll use the back stairs as last time, that's the most secure option." he explained. "First we'll go up with a few luggages, then I'll come down to find a hiding place for the car and when it's done, I'll take up the rest of the stuff. So don't worry, it won't last long."

"Or we should take up everything at once... I can grab a few things too."

"No," he shook his head determined. "I won't let you to carry heavy bags."

"But..."

"Don't even try to think on it!" he said teasingly.

"Oh... okay," she agreed with a smile and remembered why she loved him so much...

As they successfully reached her room and packed down the first round, Joseph was ready to go to hide the car...

"Clarisse don't!" he stopped her at the last moment, before she would turned the light on. "It's late at night... so we have to avoid being noticed."

"Yes, of course sorry. It wasn't intentional... then I'll manage everything in the moonlight."

"Really?... And what have you planned exactly?" he teased her, but she was too nervous to notice it.

"I just want to hide the luggages and pack out a few things of mine, you know as I would really live here."

"That's a good idea," he stroked her arm to relax her, but beside his confidence she could feel he was a bit nervous too. "We just have to be very quiet."

"I'll be careful I promise."

"Okay," he winked. "And now I should really have to go, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Right."

"Oh and don't forget to lock the door, okay?" he added quickly.

"Yes, of course... Joseph?"

"..." he turned around.

"Take care of yourself," she whispered and he stepped back to hug her tightly for one last time...

After she remained alone, she quickly put everything away, then just sat down to think... because she perfectly knew that something was wrong... and he was not telling her the truth.

To be continued...