Sam looked around uncomfortably as Mary lay in hysterics in the bottom of the boat. Sam wasn't uncomfortable in the same sense that a parent might be when his or her child throws a tantrum in the grocery store; Sam was worried who might be observing from afar.

Caressing her silky hair and touching her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, Sam was fully expecting this kind of reaction from the revelation. This wasn't the first time he had revealed startling news of this nature to an unsuspecting spouse, and it probably wouldn't be the last. That's just part for the course with that kind of job. Sam felt genuinely sad for Mary. Still, he was concerned that they would be heard.

"Shh Mary," whispered Sam. "We've got to get out of here. I'll explain later, but I need you to be as quiet as you can."

Mary, to her credit, quieted instantly.

"You're a tough one, all right," Sam whispered in praise. He rowed hard, but he was going against a stiff wind and it was dark by the time they were back at the dock.

Mary had calmed down by then, and she was back to being her normal rational self.

"Sam," she whispered, "are you going to go diving off the dock? You haven't told me what you're trying to find."

"I'm not sure what I'm trying to find, really. I mean, I know what it is but I'm not sure how it's hidden, if that makes sense."

"No, it doesn't."

"I didn't think so."

"Sam, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, shoot."

"Do you think Jim is alive?"

"Mary, I hope so, but I don't know. If I'm right regarding his disappearance, then he's in grave danger."

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry for how I've been acting. I mean, for how I've been coming on to you. I ... I've been so lonely, and I felt so hurt when I thought Jim had left me. I needed companionship, I needed a touch, I needed someone to want me."

"I know Mary."

"You are a gentleman, Sam. You could have so easily ... well, you could have had your way with me, but you didn't."

"And that's just how Mrs. Sam prefers it," Sam said with a soft smile.

"So there is a Mrs. Sam?"

"Yes, indeed. And like I said, she and my father have been married a long time."

Mary smiled. "You're going to make somebody very happy some day. Hey, how about I go make some coffee before you go in the water?"

"I'd like that. Thanks," said Sam as he tied the boat to the dock.

Mary stepped out of the boat and was walking toward the back door. Barefoot, she stepped on something unfamiliar in the dark.

"Sam, what's this wire?"

At that moment, Sam realized he smelled the faint odor of gas.

"Wire? Mary!"

In one swift motion, Sam leaped out of the boat, wrapped one arm around Mary, and tumbled into the cove, pulling Mary with him. The water was deep, and Mary began kicking and trying to break Sam's tight grip so that she could reach the surface.

Sam continued holding her underwater. His instincts told him ...

BOOM! An explosion ripped through the water.

BOOM ... BOOM! Two more explosions followed.

Sam waited five more seconds before allowing the two of them to surface.

Both Sam and Mary were gasping and sputtering as Mary's house was going up in flames immediately behind them. Mary began wheezing and it was clear that her lungs had taken in a considerable amount of water.

"Mary, are you ..."

And then Mary's body went limp. Whether it was from the water or the shock of the explosions, Sam wasn't sure.

Sam wrapped his arm around her and pulled her across the cove to a sandy spot he had noticed while fishing earlier. He wanted to remain hidden from whoever might be watching the house.

Behind nearby bushes, Sam rolled the unconscious Mary onto her stomach and began pushing on her back, attempting to draw out the water. Mary coughed and choked as a gush of water poured out of her mouth.

"Mary!" Sam whispered. "Mary!"

Mary's eyes opened. She continued coughing for a few minutes while they remained hidden in the bushes, watching the house go up in flames.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you give me mouth-to-mouth?"

"No I didn't, Mary."

"Darn."

Sam laughed softly. "Mary, you're amazing. Your house blew up, your husband's been kidnapped -- and we don't know if he's alive, you almost drowned, and here you are flirting with me."

"Not flirting, Sam. Just bantering."

"Well I tell you, Mary ... the thought of giving you mouth-to-mouth did cross my mind."

"Really?"

"No, just bantering."

Their eyes met for a brief moment that didn't want to let go, with only the light from a burning house enabling them to see each other.

"Sam," Mary said meekly, "I need a hug.  I need a big hug."

Sam put both arms around her and held her firmly.  Mary buried her head in Sam's chest and began sobbing.

"Shh, shh, Mary.  We'll get you through this."

A minute or two later, Mary wiped her eyes.

"Sam ... who is trying to kill me?"

"Nobody."

"Nobody? Well they're doing a great job of not killing me."

"They wouldn't mind killing you, but that's not their goal. I believe they're trying to hide something, trying to cover up something, trying to destroy information that only your husband knew."

"Jim?"

"Jim."

"Jim the mild-mannered CPA?"

"Jim the spy."