Page 30 of Protecting Paul

I grab it quickly and slam the compartment closed. I huddle into the backseat just in case Jerry looks outside. Thankfully, my battery isn’t dead. I scroll through my contacts and dial Sam’s number. He picks up on the first ring.

“Paul?” He asks, his voice shaking. His tone is one of disbelief, which I can’t blame him for. “Are you okay? Where are you?”

“No, Sammy, I’m not okay, but… I’m fine for now,” I say quickly. “Jerry knocked me out last night. I woke up in his car just a bit ago. We’re at some podunk gas station in the middle of fucking nowhere. It’s called, um… Stop N’ Pump. We won’t be here for long, though, and I have no clue when he’s stopping next.”

“Okay, okay, I’m looking it up now,” I hear his fingers tapping the screen and then a sigh of relief. “Thank fucking God. I’m already heading that way. I’m not super close, but I’m not that far, either. Can you hang in there until I can find you?”

“I can,” I assure, making my voice sound more confident than I feel. “Wait, you were already heading this way? What do you mean?”

“I had a hunch he would head this way. I guess I was right,” Sam says as if it’s the simplest thing in the world. My heart aches. “The second we realized you were gone, I started driving this way. The whole station is back in Shafter Falls helping out.”

“Sammy, you’re… I….” I swallow heavily and peek out the window. “Shit, he’s walking back out. I have to go.”

“Paul?” Sam asks quickly. “I’m going to find you. I promise. Hold on for me, okay?”

“I will,” I assure, swallowing again. “I believe in you, Sammy. Thank you.”

I hang up before he can reply and shove my phone into my pocket as deeply as possible. I lean back against the seat, acting as if nothing has changed.

“You didn’t try anything stupid,” Jerry comments, roughly shoving his coffee cup into the cup holder. “Smart on your part.”

I stay quiet. I have no reason to reply to him anymore. The only thing I can do is focus on the fact that Sam is coming. He promised me he would find me, and I meant it when I said I believed him. The fact that he’s already on the way makes me fall more in love with him. He hadn’t wasted a second in trying to save me. The way he said it made me think he’d done it alone, too. I can imagine him acting like a goddamn knight in shining armor as he drove off to find me.

It makes me smile for the first time in hours. My split lip cracks when I do, but I don’t care. I can endure the extra pain if I can sit here and think about Sam.

17

Sam

ThesecondIgetthe call from Paul, I begin driving like a madman. When he confirms I’m on the right track, I put on my siren and floor it. Jerry has a hefty lead on me. With no clue what his next move is, I can’t waste a single second.

I frantically call the station and tell them my update. They inform me they’re sending backup as soon as possible. I hang up, tapping my fingers anxiously against the steering wheel. I’m grateful there are no other cars on this road so I can go as fast as possible.

The GPS alerts me of Stop N’ Pump ahead on the left. I pull into the empty gas station and run in so fast I’m panting.

“Sir, I have very little time, so I need you to answer me quickly,” I say to the cashier. “There was a man who came in here very recently. A middle-aged man with brown hair and eyes driving an old pickup truck. Did he say anything to you about where he was heading next? Did he say anything at all?”

“Uh, yeah,” The white-haired man answers, nodding excitedly. “He asked about the nearest motel. I told him about the White Dove Inn. It’s maybe half an hour's drive from here.”

“Thank you!” I call out, already bolting out the door when he says the motel's name. I type the name into my GPS, hands shaking as I do. The old man was right. Thirty minutes. I can make it in fifteen if I keep up my previous pace. I update the station of my location and press on.

I keep my sirens off this time, not wanting to risk it. If Jerry knows I’m coming, there’s no telling what he may do. He’s crazy enough that he could hurt Paul more or even… I shake my head to dispel the thought. Paul is alive, and he will stay alive. There is nothing else worth thinking about.

In slightly under fifteen minutes, I see the sign declaring White Dove Inn. The motel is a shithole, but I expected nothing else. I park my cruiser on the side of the road. I’m not taking any chances.

I quickly walk toward the parking lot. I recognize Jerry’s beat-up truck instantly. I race into the office, grabbing my badge and brandishing it.

“The owner of that truck over there,” I point towards the parking lot. “What room did he check into?”

The frazzled woman up front stutters out the room number. She digs through the drawers and hands me a key. I remind myself to thank her later, but I’m not taking the time to do it now.

I unholster my gun, creeping up to the room. I press my ear against the door and hear the distinct voice of Paul’s uncle. I can’t determine what he’s saying, but his tone makes anger surge through my body. I shove the key into the door and kick it open the rest of the way.

I hold my gun up, training it on Jerry. He spins around and glares daggers at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Paul tied up to a chair with a gag in his mouth. I want nothing more than to run to him and free him of his bonds, but I have to take care of Jerry first.

“Give it up, Jerry,” I say. My voice is low, grumbly with rage. “You’ve got nowhere to go. You’re caught.”

“It’s not over yet,” Jerry hisses as he slides over to stand behind Paul. I realize he’s planning on using him as a shield after it’s too late to stop him. “You want this faggot to live? Then watch your step.”

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