Four Flames for Angela

“How would he have gotten out?” Hunter asked. If it was Thomas in that car, this was so not good.

Rock hung up the phone and looked at his brothers. “It’s not Thomas. He’s still in jail.”

“Then what the hell? Who could it be?” River asked, leaning forward as if that would help him see who was in the car.

“Look, they’re trying to ram Angie’s car. Whoever’s in that car is trying to force her off the road.” Sawyer sat up straighter and increased their speed a little. He couldn’t go much faster without the possibility of hitting one of the police cars.

“You got to ease off a little, Sawyer. The cops need room to maneuver if necessary. Give them some room if they need it.” Hunter said, watching what was unfolding in front of them.

“Are we sure it’s Angie?” Rock asked, hoping it wasn’t.

“I know a way to find out quickly,” River grabbed his phone before Rock could tell him why it was a bad idea.

“No, don’t…” Rock started to say.

“Why?” River asked, holding his phone.

“If it is her, I don’t want her distracted trying to answer the phone,” Rock explained.

“Oh shit! I didn’t think of that.” River looked at Rock in a panic.

“Hello.” Todd’s voice came out of the phone.

“Hey, buddy,” River said, watching the car ahead of them.

“Angie’s driving really fast. I’m scared.” Todd’s little voice came over the speaker of Rock’s phone.

“We’re behind the police, buddy. As soon as it’s safe for Angie to stop, we’ll be there,” River told him, not knowing what else to say.

“I’m afraid to stop.” Angie’s voice came over the phone.

“I know, baby. There’s a little straighter road. I think if you can gun it and get some space between you and whoever’s behind you, that will give the cops a chance to get between you and slow things down. Can you do that?” River said calmly.

“I’ll try,” Angie replied.

Rock used his phone to call the 911 operator and explain who they were and what was happening, hoping they could relay to the police officers what the plan was.

* * * *

Angie listened to River explain what they wanted her to do. She didn’t know if it would work or not, but at this point she had to try something.

“Todd, I need you to hold on real tight. I’m going to try what River said and see if I can get us out of this mess. I’m gonna lock all the doors. Hold on.” She stomped her foot on the accelerator and said a quick prayer.

She felt the rear tires slide as she jammed on the pedal. “Oh shit!” she yelled, and everything went black.

Chapter Eighteen

One week later

“I think that’s the last of it,” River said, carrying a box down the stairs.

“We’d better check to make sure,” Rock said, passing him by and walking up the stairs.

A few minutes later he came out and turned to lock the door. They loaded the boxes and other things in the back of the truck and drove away, not sure when or if they’d be back.

Rock and his brothers had watched in horror as the rear end of Angie’s car slid, almost throwing the car off the road and into the ditch. If that had happened, the vehicle she was driving would have flipped for sure.

Luckily that hadn’t happened. She’d been able to control the skid and straighten out. She’d hit her head against the window and blacked out for a few seconds after she got the car stopped. Other than a small bump on her head, both she and Todd were fine.