Page 76 of Trapped

“How do we do that?”

“Borrow some. Stay here.”

He climbed out, and cut the engine, then opened the trunk and rummaged inside. He must have found what he was looking for because he went to work on the plates.

When they were off the front and rear of the car, he trotted up the hill and disappeared.

She sat rigidly in her seat, waiting to hear gunfire again.

Finally, Cash came limping back down the hill and held up a set of plates for her to see. Then he replaced the ones that had been on the car.

When he climbed back inside, he sat for a minute with his head thrown back against the headrest.

She reached over and laid her palm on top of his right hand where it rested on the steering wheel.

“Your leg is hurting.”

“Yeah.”

“Let me drive.”

His head swung toward her. “You’re sure you want to drive a stolen car?”

“What’s the difference between driving and being a passenger?”

“Not much, I guess.”

He twisted the wires together to start the engine again, then pulled up the emergency brake while they switched places.

She accelerated slowly, getting the feel of the vehicle as she headed down the highway.

When she came to a sign that pointed to Blackwater Falls and Morgantown, she started to ask Cash which way to go. But he had fallen asleep.

Figuring it was easier to hide in a more populated area, she decided to head northeast.

When she found herself getting sleepy, she started looking for a place to spend the night. She pulled into a one-story, inexpensive motor court and laid her hand on Cash’s shoulder.

He came awake with a jerk, the gun in his hand coming up as he pointed it toward her.

“Cash!”

He focused on her and lowered the weapon. “Sorry. I told you I was dangerous.”

“No.”

“Stop denying the obvious.”

“That was your Army combat instincts kicking in.”

“Is that your professional opinion?”

“Yes. And I’m too tired to argue. I just want to get us a room.”

“How far are we from where Hank let us off?”

“Seventy-five miles.”

“I hope that’s good enough.”

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