Page 83 of Dark Roads
Vaughn had this coming. For Amber. For Jonny. Foreveryonehe’d hurt or had been going to hurt in the future. When I reached the parking lot across from the diner, I crouched behind a truck.
The diner was dark inside. The neon sign hummed and crackled. The truck stop was quiet, with a few rigs parked.None of them were running at the moment, but they could start up at any time. Some of the drivers liked to sleep during the day and make their runs at night, when the roads were clear. Hunched low, and avoiding where the sign lit up the pavement, I moved across the street and into the alley. I slid alongside the bricks, still hot from the day’s sun.
I’d have to be quick. As soon as I pried off the lock and opened the door, the alarm shrieked. Slamming the alarm with the butt of the pistol until it silenced, I slipped inside the diner. In the darkness, I made out the shape of the cash register on the counter. I yanked it free, knocking some glasses and condiments onto the floor. I dropped the register and stomped on the keys. Now to run outside and hide in the dumpster until Vaughn showed.
The wail of a siren right outside the building. Flashing lights bounced through the windows, spun across the walls. One car or two? I couldn’t tell, but they’d gotten here fast. They must have been in the area. They’d catch me if I tried to slip out the door. I’d have to hide. I scrambled across the floor and slid under a booth.
“Police!” Vaughn, already at the back door. He’d come through the alley.
I wedged myself tighter under the booth, gun ready, and watched Vaughn’s legs come into view. My eyes narrowed as I held up the gun and aimed. He was moving, shining a flashlight into each corner.
“Come out with your hands up!” he shouted. His legs turned one way, then the other. He was scanning the room. More lights flashed on the walls. Backup had arrived. They would come in the back door. I couldn’t escape. Then I remembered the ceiling tile Amber had told me about.
Vaughn stood in front of the counter, close to the end, and checked the dining room area.
I crawled forward, gun held in front of me, and shot the row of drinking glasses behind him, the mirrored wall. He ducked behind the counter, returning fire. Then I aimed for the light fixture above his head, globe-style, heavy. The bullet struck the chain, sending the fixture to shatter on the floor. He grunted.
As I raced down the narrow hallway, I emptied the clip behind me. In the storage room, I climbed the shelving unit. It took two tries before I found the right tile. I pulled myself inside.
Boot steps below me. Heavy breathing.
“He didn’t go out the back…” Vaughn said. “I would have seen him pass.”
“He’s got to be in here somewhere. Check the cooler.” The other man sounded like Thompson. They were moving away. A door opened and slammed back against a wall.
“Come out with your hands up!” Now they were in the bathroom.
I wiggled sideways until I was resting on one of the cross boards. It was sweltering in the attic and sweat dripped into my eyes, blinding me. I got into a hunched position and walked forward on the boards, careful not to make any noise. I scanned every corner for a glimmer of daylight. Amber had said she was able to blow her smoke outside. Ihadto find that vent. Finally, a bright spot at the far end.
When I got closer, I lifted the screen off and shimmied out, then dropped onto the roof. The tar paper was warm and sticky on my hands. I looked over the edge. The ground below was too far away for me to jump. I leaned back and looked around.
At the end of the building, a piece of old plywood sat on top of the roof like it had been discarded after a repair. The next roof belonged to the truck stop bathrooms. Still hunched over, I made my way to the plywood, slid it across the two roofs, and slowly crawled over.
Now I was farther from the diner—and still screwed. I might be able to jump off the back, into the shadows and out of sight from the street, but there was a good chance I’d hurt myself. Then I’d still have to run through the woods to my bike without the cops catching me.
The sound of a diesel engine starting made me drop to my belly. Then it gave me an idea. I peered over the edge of the roof again. I could see through the windshield of the semi, parked on the other side of the lot. The driver was watching the diner as he put the truck in gear. He’d probably heard the gunshots and wanted to get out of here before the cops blocked him.
I waited until he swung wide and close to the truck-stop roof, then I took a running leap and landed with a jolt on top of his shipment. I clutched at the metal tie-downs, expecting him to hit the brakes or to see one of the cops running out yelling for him to stop, but the truck kept moving. Two other cop cars with lights and sirens flew past and screeched to a halt in front of the diner.
The rig passed through town, bringing me close to the beginning of the highway. When he stopped for a red light, I checked that no one was behind us, then I slipped off the back, using the cables to lower myself down. I launched myself as he pulled away.
The ground rushed up at me, dirt, rocks. I fell hard, rolling a few feet and knocking the wind out of my chest. My hands hurt, my wrist felt like I’d bent it backward, and I’d scraped my knees. I stayed still for a moment, catching my breath, surprised I’d made it, and listened to the rig disappear down the highway. The road was silent. I leapt to my feet and started running.
CHAPTER 32
Beth
Beth nursed her coffee, bitter without milk, and watched mist drift over the lake. It would be a peaceful image if she weren’t so broken up inside. What was she going to do? She’d made everything worse by trying to trap Vaughn. She rubbed her wrist. She couldstillfeel his grip.
Jonny didn’t know about her pathetic attempt at espionage—and she wasn’t going to tell him. After twenty-four hours without any messages, he’d texted last night.
Sorry for the radio silence. I’ve been recovering. You okay?
I’m good. Need some company?
Andy’s over. We’re having a few beers.
Cool. I had a long day, so I’ll probably go to bed early.
