Escape Out of Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page B

misspent youth. I can assure you I did not drive slowly.”
    “This thing doesn’t handle like an XKE.”
    “No, it handles like a goddamn tank. But at least it’s fast.” He cast a calm glance into the rearview mirror. “And I think it’s about time for it to prove its stuff.”
    The Little Hustler had been gaining steadily. Mack had been accelerating, pushing the speedometer up and up, but the RV had managed to keep pace, even move closer. The Snow Princess was left far behind in the summer dust, but things were still overtly polite between the white sedan and the Winnebago. Maggie huddled down in the seat, her eyes trained on the side mirror.
    “I think you’re right,” she said. “I don’t think our friends from Mobile, Alabama, want to talk.” Close up, their faces looked frighteningly implacable. “Why don’t you step on it?”
    “I’m afraid I have. Does this thing go much faster than ninety?”
    “You mean to tell me the Little Hustler is following that fast? The damned thing must be all engine!”
    “Enough engine to keep pace with us, not enough to pass us. They’re going to realize that sooner or later, and we’re going to have to hope they don’t have guns. I don’t suppose … ?”
    “Nope. I came straight from London. Even with a permit it’stoo much trouble to carry weapons around the various airports of the world.” She allowed herself the luxury of swiveling around in her seat to get a good look, at their pursuers. At speeds of ninety plus there was no longer any pretense they weren’t in an automotive duel to the death. She swung back quickly, not even wasting her breath enough to swear. “They have guns.”
    Mack shrugged. “Got any suggestions? You’re supposed to be protecting me.”
    “Don’t remind me.” Suddenly she undid her seat belt and dove over into the backseat, almost kicking him as she went.
    “What the hell are you doing?” His imperturbable calm had begun to shred. “It’s just slightly distracting to have you bouncing around the backseat. If you can’t come up with a rescue, you could at least hold my hand.”
    “Shut up,” she muttered under her breath, ripping open her suitcase and tossing clothes all over the car. “I’ve just had a brainstorm. Where the hell is the Jack Daniel’s?” She pulled it out with a cry of triumph. It was half empty, which suited her purposes even better. She paused long enough to take a long pull off it, and then set to work with feverish haste.
    “I hate to be touchy, Maggie, but this is no time for a drink.” Mack yelled. “The Little Hustler is getting impatient.”
    As if to emphasize his point, the big RV crept up on them, tapping them lightly on the fender. The car lurched forward, and it took all of Mack’s professed expertise to keep it on the road. “Maggie!”
    “Shut up, Pulaski. I’m making a Molotov cocktail and it’s tricky business.”
    “I don’t care how tricky it is. If you don’t speed it up, we’re not going to need it.”
    “Damn, I wish I had something a little more … I’ve got it.” She rummaged back into her suitcase, holding on tightly as their car was once more rammed from the rear. Grabbing her nail polish remover, she soaked her favorite pair of silk panties,poured the rest of the contents into the whiskey, and stuffed the underwear in the top. “Got a match?”
    “Christ, no!” He was sounding definitely ragged at this point. “I gave up smoking years ago.”
    “Hell and damnation! Plug in the lighter.”
    “The lighter! You’ve got to be out of your mind—” Once more they were rammed, and Mack’s language grew colorful indeed. Enough so that Maggie stopped a moment to listen respectfully.
    “You’ve got a way with words, Pulaski,” she said coolly. “Hand me the lighter.”
    She finally got the panties to light. “When I count to three I’m going to open the rear window. You just drive like hell. Ready?”
    “Okay, Maggie. Do it.”
    She was both amazed