Deep Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

that, man.”
    Patrick must have told Max to pat them down. When he indicated they didn’t have any other weapons, Patrick barked, “On the ground. Hands behind your back. I don’t want to see you so much as twitch.”
    Patrick nodded to Max, who jogged back toward the truck.
    Shelby and Bianca scrambled after him.
    Once Max had the truck idling, Patrick leaned down, said something else to the two thieves, and then he jogged back toward the car.
    â€œWhat did you say to them?” Max asked.
    â€œI told them if they moved or tried to come after us, I was going to come back and put a bullet in their heads.” Patrick clipped his seat belt into the buckle, his eyes still on the two men lying in the field.
    Instead of reprimanding him, Max said, “You shouldn’t have taken their gun. Legally it’s their property.”
    â€œI was supposed to let them keep it? Let them rob the next car that comes by?”
    â€œI don’t know, Patrick, but it wasn’t ours to take.”
    â€œIn case you haven’t noticed, we can’t exactly call 9-1-1.”
    â€œI’ll give it to the sheriff when we get back in town.”
    â€œI have a feeling the sheriff is going to have his hands full.”
    â€œPatrick’s right,” Bianca said. “They looked like stupid kids, but they could have hurt someone.”
    â€œKids is right,” Max muttered.
    â€œThe rules have changed.” Shelby stared out the window. “In the blink of an eye, everything has changed.”
    She knew Max didn’t agree with her, but he floored the accelerator and focused on getting them back to town.
    The second time they stopped was a quarter mile west of Lynch Creek. An older man and woman stood beside what appeared to be a brand-new car. Max pulled to the side of the road when the man stepped out into their lane, waving his hands.
    â€œI can’t believe we’re doing this again,” Patrick said, but everyone tumbled out of Max’s truck, each person pausing to stare up at the sky once more.
    The car had been purchased the week before and had “just quit,” according to Dale Smitty, who introduced himself and his wife with a nod toward the ladies and a handshake for the guys.
    â€œI suspected the newfangled thing was a bad idea. Today’s cars have more computers and less reliability. Have you seen the spare? My grandson’s bike tire is bigger. I was happy with the Chevy we had, but the wife wanted something new and shiny.”
    Joyce Smitty didn’t bother responding to that. She did turn to Shelby and say, “Our phones don’t work either. It’s the strangest thing. Happened when we first noticed the lights.”
    A weathered hand motioned toward the sky.
    â€œWe can give you a ride into town,” Patrick offered.
    â€œOh… we thought perhaps your cell phone would work. I’d feel better if I could stay with the car until a tow truck arrives.” The old man glanced from one member of the group to the other, awareness slowly dawning in his eyes.
    â€œNo one’s phone is working. We suspect there’s a problem with the cell towers.” Max stuck his thumbs into the back pockets of his jeans.
    Shelby thought it made him look ridiculously like a character from a western. Her mind turned again to Carter, and she had to fight the urge to stomp her foot and tell everyone to get back in the truck.
    â€œWe’d be happy to take you into town,” Max said.
    Dale nodded, and without another word Max transferred the Smittys’ baggage to the truck bed. Dale slipped into the backseat, and Bianca slid over into the middle. Shelby moved next to Max to make room for Joyce. Max offered her a reassuring smile, but she only shook her head, willing the truck forward. Until she laid eyes on Carter, until she saw for herself that he was okay, the anxiety clawing at her throat wouldn’t recede.
    What if he had been driving