Flash Flood Read Online Free PDF Page B

Andy toward him, Eric leaned back against the leather.
    â€œFront row seats if you like a light show.”
    The rain was just a loud spattering of drops, but the lightning illuminated the entire parking lot. And that’s when he saw him. Again. Local or not, this guy was more than just curious. He’d started fiddling with something on the dash of his Dakota when he saw Eric look that way, but he was tailing them, pure and simple. It wasn’t coincidence. Eric didn’t like the feel of it. Had he been a fool to trust Billy Roland? Was this guy some hired goon?
    â€œIf you really had to run this old tank top-out, what would she do?”
    â€œA hundred.” Andy hadn’t hesitated but watched him closely.
    â€œHow well do you know the back roads in this county?”
    â€œIs that a personal question?” She pouted, then offered a small flirty smile. Andy was sitting upright facing him, her back against the dash.
    â€œMaybe.” He grinned. No use upsetting her by something that still might be just a figment of his imagination. “If we needed to ditch somebody, think you could do it?” He had her full attention now.
    â€œIt’d be easy.” She started to turn her head in the direction of his gaze. Roughly grabbing her chin, he turned her back to face him.
    â€œCan’t let on we suspect anything.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œDamned if I know.”
    Actually, he thought he knew. How could he be so naive as to think he could do a favor, pay with seven years of his life and then be left to enjoy two million dollars? He had even entertained the idea of arranging to have a gun waiting when he got out but had thought it too risky. A gun in the possession of a felon could turn a routine traffic stop into a major event. He wasn’t planning to stay in the States any longer than he had to. A gun could be purchased later.
    â€œI think we need to change our plans. If I wanted to rent a plane, is the closest small airstrip still the one at Lovington?”
    â€œAerowest Charters. If they aren’t open, we could try Hobbs Field.”
    â€œHow long will it take to get there?”
    â€œMaybe an hour.”
    Eric checked his watch. The storm might give them some time. Time to dump the Caddy and become inconspicuous. Then if they had to wait until morning to rent a plane, they’d be okay. It didn’t look like the tail was too eager to move. Probably put off by Andy’s being there.
    â€œWait at the top of the drive until I tell you to pull out on the highway.”
    Andy nodded, pumped the gas, and slipped the old car into gear. Slowly inching forward, they wound their way out of the lot, stopping for cars of locals turning in to park and begin the weekend. Eric had turned the rearview mirror to check the Dakota. He wasn’t disappointed. It was pulling out.
    â€œWhich way is the closest turnoff to a back road?”
    â€œTo the right. About five miles down we’ll intersect County Five. There’s a maze of section roads that cuts through four large ranches. We’ll be okay. The roads are graveled.”
    Eric smiled. He liked the way she had jumped right in. No questions. Just an escape plan. He was at her mercy as much as the tail.
    â€œLet’s do it.” He had to yell. The rain was washing over the car in waves now. “What do you call these? Toad Stranglers?”
    She didn’t respond. She was intent on turning at the top of the drive. The water was already making the traction tricky for the big rear-wheel drive vehicle. The sliding didn’t instill confidence, but the headlights of the pickup following them didn’t either.
    ***
    Damn. Dan was lost. And there wasn’t a snowball’s chance that he even had the slightest idea where he was. In the middle of nowhere everything looked alike in broad daylight, the dark had him totally turned around. Dan pulled over to the side of the road. He must have missed