Page 47 of Counter Attack

“Around ten.”

“Thanks.” Nathan pocketed his phone and returned to the kitchen. Judith and Carson Stone were nowhere to be seen. “I need to leave. Thank your grandmother for me—supper was great.”

“What’s wrong?”

He hesitated. If he told her, would she want to take over the case? With Carson out, as chief deputy Alexis was the top law enforcement official in the county. On the other hand, if he didn’t tell her, it would affect their working relationship. “There’s a meeting of drug dealers at the high school,” he said.

“I’m going with you.”

He eyed her. Before he could say anything, she held up her hand.

“I’m not taking over your case—I have problems enough with the Queen’s Gambit Killer. Just trying to be helpful—you’ve certainly been here for me.”

Okay, maybe it would work. “My truck?”

“Why don’t I follow you? That way I’ll have my own wheelsand you won’t have to bring me home.” She took her phone out. “How many deputies do you think we’ll need?”

He wanted to say none because he hadn’t had enough time to plan a raid, but that would be foolish. “I have no idea what the situation will be, so have three of your deputies arrive in silent mode and then hang back until I can assess the situation. Might not need them tonight at all.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

He found her grandparents and thanked them for the meal and then hurried out the back door with Alexis on his heels. He wanted to get in place soon in case the drug dealers showed up early. Once Nathan was in his pickup, he contacted his two officers on duty tonight, Eric Malone and Kelsey James, by phone instead of using the radio—he didn’t want to risk someone hearing a transmission. He explained what was going on and that tonight was reconnaissance but to be nearby in case things went south. Like the Russell County deputies, they were to arrive in silent mode and stay out of sight unless he needed them.

Nathan glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned. Why was Alexis all over the road?

27

An alert came in that Stone’s Tahoe was moving. Phame booted up the screen on the small laptop and opened the directory that would allow the computer to access the Tahoe’s Controller Area Network or CAN. Much like a human’s brain, CAN sent messages to every part of the car—brakes, steering, gas—you name it, CAN controlled it.

It’d been a simple matter to hack the locks on the SUV and plug Phame’s own network device into the proper port while Stone was in Chattanooga. And now, with a few clicks, the Tahoe was completely under Phame’s control.

One click disabled the brakes. Another click took control of the steering, and the vehicle crossed the center line and back. Oh, to be able to see Alex Stone’s face right about now. Her fear had to be palpable as Phame guided the SUV across the center line.

Phame glanced at the video that reflected real-time activity. Headlights meant an oncoming car. It would be so easy to end Stone’s life. Just hold the SUV on the wrong side of the road until BAM! But it wasn’t time for Stone to die.

A couple of clicks later, and Stone was back on her side of the road. For the next minute or so, Phame played with theSUV’s controls, stopping it, lurching it backward, speeding it up then stopping it again and reversing direction. This was fun. But time to return control ... Another couple of seconds and the Tahoe was back in Stone’s command.

Tonight had been to show the chief deputy she wasn’t in charge, Phame was.

28

Alex fell in behind Nathan’s pickup, but a mile down the road had her rubbing her eyes. She hadn’t realized she was so tired. And Gram’s carb-laden supper made it hard to fight the lethargy seeping into her mind.

Shaking her head cleared it somewhat. She frowned as they turned onto the road to the high school. Alex had never driven the Chevy SUV, but she hadn’t expected the steering to be so stiff and hard to turn.

The vehicle jerked to the left, crossing the center line.No!She slammed on the brakes.

No response! Her stomach knotted as she fought the wheel. Seconds later, the Tahoe returned to the right side of the road. She released a tight breath only to catch it again when the Tahoe steered crossed the center line again.

Twin beams appeared in the road ahead. Alex wrestled with the wheel, fighting for control. The SUV continued on its deadly path.

The lights drew nearer. Her heart jackhammered in her chest. She jerked the steering wheel, and it suddenly freed up, overcorrecting. The top-heavy SUV rocked, threatening to flip as she held on to the steering wheel.

Still weaving, the SUV surged forward, dangerously close to Nathan’s pickup. Alex slammed on the brakes. Nothing.

She tried killing the motor, but it wouldn’t die. The SUV hurtled toward a bridge abutment. Jump out? It was her only choice. She fumbled for the seat belt. Why wouldn’t it release?

In desperation, Alex slammed on the brakes and jerked the wheel to the left again. This time the brakes held, sending the SUV spinning in a 360-degree circle. When it came to a rocking stop, she couldn’t move, not even to release the death grip she had on the steering wheel.

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