Road to Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page B

              Chapter 9
     
         Tony sat in the coffee shop sipping his foam latte and reading his Kindle. Kim thought he was still working at United P and C, but for the last four days he’d been hanging out here. He wasn’t sure how long he could or should keep up the act, but for now it didn’t matter. He took another sip as he flipped through the book. He’d never read this author before, some slash and gash horror writer with nothing but gore. Tony had never been into such books but for some reason found this one interesting.
         Once he finished his drink, he read for another hour and then decided to head out. As he stood, his phone rang. He dug it out of his pocket and placed it to his ear.
         “Hey, it’s Jose.”
         “Yes, Jose. Everything ok?” Tony said.
         “Not really. I need you here now. Need you to make an emergency run.”
         “What? My next run isn’t until tomorrow.”
         “Not now it isn’t. We have a load that has to go out tonight. So get your ass down here. The truck will be ready when you get here.”
         “But— ” Tony began but Jose had already hung up.
         Fuck. He stood outside the coffee shop and kicked the wall. A woman and her teenage daughter glared at him as they walked by. He awkwardly nodded to them as he headed to his car and climbed inside.
         “Fuck!” He screamed. How would he explain this to Kim? Being gone all night? Nothing he could do. These guys owned him. He drove to Ramos Medical and just like Jose said, the truck was loaded and waiting for him. Jose was standing by the truck as he arrived.
         “Here it is , my man. All ready to go, paperwork is in order. You’ll get paid double for this run.”
         “Double?”
         “Yeah, you’ll get forty grand for this one for the inconvenience.”
         “Wow . Ok.”
         “Is that a problem?” Jose asked.
         “No, I just wasn’t expecting it.”
         “Good. Now get going.”
         Tony climbed in the truck, started it and pulled out of the main gate. He was on the highway within a few minutes. Traffic was unusually backed up. Probably due to an accident ahead or something. After almost forty minutes in stop and go traffic, he was finally on the road and leaving the city. When he was about ten miles south of town, flashing lights appeared in his mirror. Shit.
         He pulled over, hoping beyond hope that the police car would go around him. Maybe he was on his way to another call. That didn’t happen. The police car stopped directly behind him. Fuck! Tony took a deep breath and examined himself in the mirror. Beads of sweat were already forming on his forehead. He wiped it off with his sleeve and took another deep breath. Keep cool. Just play it cool, it will all be fine.
         He rolled down the window as the officer stepped up to the vehicle.
         “Good evening officer. What seems to be the problem?”
         “Hello sir. License and registration please.” The officer said. As Tony leaned in the glove box he saw a second officer in the other rearview mirror on the opposite side of the truck. He handed the officer the paperwork. The officer examined his license.
         “This is you? Anthony Ray?”
         “Yes sir. Tony is what I go by.”
         “Step out of the truck for me Anthony.”
         “I’m sorry?”
         “Did I fuckin’ stutter? Step. Out. Of. The. Fucking. Truck.”
         Tony climbed out of the truck, his throat dry as he tried not to visibly shake. He had no idea why this cop had this attitude, but it was scaring the shit out of him. He’d never had anything more than a parking ticket. Getting caught with a truck full of kidnapped girls, he’d go away for life.
         “I don’t understand officer. What seems to be the problem?” Tony asked as he noticed both officers were Bexar County deputies.
         “Open the