Page 2 of Peril in Piney Woods

She shifted her attention to the right, to the part of Pine Boulevard that transitioned into a county road where the Gas and Go, the gas station and convenience store combo—another key operation to keep an eye on—was lit up like the beacon of a lighthouse reaching out to anyone wandering in the dark. It was the only all-night gas and food service available for several miles. Further along that same county road was the fire station and a Hamilton County sheriff’s substation. The bigger stores and supermarkets were a half hour or more away. Apparently, this was the way the citizens of Piney Woods liked it, because they had kept out all big business operations that showed interest in the area.

Another reason Meg had chosen this little town. Made her life all the easier.

She hoped things stayed the way they were.

Did anything? Ever?

Meg dismissed the troubling idea and zoomed in on the one vehicle parked at the Gas and Go.

Dark blue or black truck. Dented tailgate. Georgia license plate.

No surprise—they were very close to the Tennessee-Georgia line.

Jennifer O’Neal was on duty. Alone. The Gas and Go always had two employees on duty except for the late shift. Meg rolled her eyes. Sure, there might be less business at this hour, but it was prime time for trouble. Worse, the girl had just turned twenty-one. She was as thin and elfin as Tinker Bell.

“You should look for a better job, Jennifer,” she muttered.

Meg zoomed in on the young woman behind the counter. Jennifer’s eyes were wide with something like fear...her mouth opened slightly as if preparing to scream. What the hell? Meg’s heart thumped as she zoomed back out far enough to take in the man who now stood at the counter.

Gun.

The gun in his hand sent Meg’s heart into her throat. She put aside the binoculars, grabbed her cell and headed for the stairs in a dead run.

By the time she reached the back door downstairs, she had Deputy Sheriff Ernie Battles on the line. “Ernie, this is Meg. There’s a—” Meg bit her tongue to hold back the code “—what looks like a robbery happening at the Gas and Go. The perp is armed with a handgun.”

“On my way,” Ernie said quickly, then he swore. “I’m maybe ten minutes out.”

The rumble of the cruiser’s engine roared over the line as he obviously rammed the accelerator.

“Should I call 911?” Meg had to do something. She couldn’t just stand here.

“They won’t get there any faster but go ahead. I need to drive.”

The call ended.

Meg’s gut clenched hard, and drawing in a breath was nearly impossible as she unlocked the back door and slipped out. As she moved through the darkness to the front corner of her shop, she called 911. She provided the necessary info, then hung up and shut off the ringer of her phone. The operators and dispatchers preferred to keep a caller on the line or to call back under certain circumstances. Meg didn’t have the time for additional conversation, and she certainly didn’t want her phone ringing or vibrating in the next few minutes.

She flattened against the building, held perfectly still and watched the movements of the two inside the Gas and Go. The guy with the gun was shouting. Jennifer was cowering in fear.

Ten minutes. Another twist to her gut at the idea that Jennifer did not have ten minutes.

Meg glanced both ways. The street remained empty.

This guy would be long gone, and Jennifer could be dead in ten minutes.

Meg swore. Then she sprinted across the street.

She hunkered down as she reached the perimeter of the well-lit parking lot. The truck—obviously the one belonging to the man with the gun—shielded her to some extent from view.

Keep going.

Meg moved closer.

Though she no longer carried a gun on her person, she did keep a sheathed knife at the small of her back. It was easier to conceal than a handgun. She reached for it now. Small, lightweight. Made for survival.

On the driver’s side, since it was shielded from view, she stabbed both tires, twisted and dragged the blade to ensure the job was done. Stabbing through the sidewalls of tires wasn’t an easy task but her knife was very sharp and it wasn’t her first time. Plus, she was strong. She may have left her former career, but she hadn’t walked away from staying fit and prepared. It was too essential to her survival.

With that done, she eased to the front fender to get an update on what was happening inside.

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