Page 43 of Crimson Storm

“No, sir. Nothing like that. I want to be with her. She’s my girlfriend. She thinks I don’t know, but I do. We just haven’t had ‘the talk’ yet. But I’m fine.”

Shane was doing an amazing acting job. He added, “She’s a really nice girl.”

“Yeah, well... you’re young,” the agent said. “You haven’t seen as much as I have, but like I said, you’re an adult. You can do what you like. I’d just... just watch your back, okay?”

“Yes sir, I will. Thank you.”

The passenger door opened and closed again. Seconds later, the truck rolled forward.Thank God.

As soon as we were away from the lights of the checkpoint, I ripped open the curtains.

“What do you think?” I asked Kelly and Shane.

They didn’t have to ask for clarification. They understood I was asking whether they thought the agent had reported a suspicious vampire.

“He radioed someone the minute we pulled away.” Kelly’s face was pinched with worry. “I saw him in the mirror.”

“I didn’t like the look in his eyes. I think we should ditch the truck,” Shane said in a grim tone.

I nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking too. There was something in his voice. I’m betting he flagged us.”

Glancing in the side view mirror again, I searched the dark highway behind us for colored flashing lights.

“If we ditch the truck, how will we get there?” Heather asked. “Are we close enough to travel on foot?”

I looked out the window at a passing mile marker, knowing exactly where we were. “Wecould. I don’t know—it’s risky.”

We were still about three hundred miles away. We’d let Shane go on his way of course, but with all the police alerts out, three female vampires traveling on foot would raise suspicions.

“I can’t guarantee we’d be able to find good cover the whole way,” I told her. “And there’s the issue of daylight. We’d have to find somewhere safe to sleep. Fast.”

“Maybe we can steal a UV-treated car?” Shane suggested.

“There would be a theft report,” I said. “And we’d only be trading one wanted vehicle for another—not to mention the fact UV-treated cars get extra attention at checkpoints. Besides, if theydoend up catching us before we can make it home, I don’t want them to have any legitimate charges against us.”

My mind turned it over as I watched the blackness of night begin to lift. “I’ve been trying to think about how Sadie would handle this whole thing. She’d say to ‘stay on the right side,’ not to lower ourselves to the level of those who persecute us. I’m sure when we’re able to contact her, the VHC will help us get good lawyers who can prove we had nothing to do with the break-in at the Safety Center and that you killed Glenn in self-defense.”

“Yeah, if the VHC stillexists,” Heather said, sounding glum. “And if Sadie’s still alive.”

“Sheis,” I insisted. Shehadto be. Not only were we screwed without her, the whole world was. “Right now, we just need to focus on getting to safety.”

“And find a place to spend the day where we won’t get toasted,” Kelly added.

“I have an idea,” I said. “Take this next exit.”

“Where are we going?” She put on the right turn signal and switched lanes.

“I know of a place we can hide the truck—and find an inconspicuous vehicle.”

22

Scene of the Crime

The glow of impending dawn colored the horizon as we pulled into the village where I’d grown up.

Eying the lightening sky, Kelly tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Are we almost there?”

“It’s your next left,” I assured her. “We’re very close.”

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