Page 77 of Trucker
At least, I thought they were open.
MAYSON “TRUCKER” CALHOUNE
I never expecteda call for myself and the cadets. They still had to go through their finals, even though I believed they were ready.
According to the rules, though they could go out on calls, it would be to assist other teams in the area.
When it came through, I informed the dispatcher of that being sure they understood my guys were still training. I told her to put the call through the usual channels and if the other team needed back up, we would.
But when Lennox ran into the office, panicking, I focused on him.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“We have a call,” Lennox said.
“I know. I told them to send the regular guys.” I advised him. “We shouldn’t be getting solo call-outs yet. But if they need help, we can do that.”
“Truck—Trucker you don’t understand.”
“Calm down.” I frowned. “Understand what?”
“Wehaveto take this call.” Lennox pushed.
“Lenny, what are you?—”
“It’s Taji.” Lennox reported.
“What?”
“The car.” Lennox panted. “It’s Taji and we can’t wait for the others. It’s going to take them twenty minutes to get here. We have no idea what shape she or her car is in. We really can’t wait, Trucker.”
“Gather Andi and the others.” I ordered.
“Were down one.” Lennox told me.
“Ryan?”
He nodded.
“Doesn’t matter right now.” I instructed. “We’ll deal with that later. Let’s go.”
This was against the rules.
But Taji was in danger.
I liked this woman, and she’d been good to my cadets who adored her. I doubted if I tried talking them down they would listen.
Even as we sped to the location Lennox had sweet talked out of the dispatch, I could barely breathe.
“Don’t worry.” Andi told me, patting my shoulder from behind my seat. “I know you don’t think we’re ready—but we got this. We’re going to have her back like we’d have yours.”
It didn’t matter if they were ready or not.
Taji was in trouble, and I had no choice.
How had this happened?
Did she fall asleep at the wheel?
