Page 46 of Bridge to Safety

Chapter Eighteen

Rowan came to as someone shook and patted his shoulder. He groaned and peered through slitted eyelids. “What happened?”

“Dude, you came around that corner real fast and swerved into that tree. The ambulance is on its way. I couldn’t get you out of the car on my own. You okay?” Now that he could see a bit better, he made out the worried face of a man in his late teens or early twenties.

“I…think so.” He shoved the airbag away from his face and tried to move his legs. They were stuck for sure. At least he hoped they were stuck and not paralyzed. “How long ago?”

“The crash?” The guy shrugged. “Ten minutes?”

“Anybody else drive by?”

“Yeah, a white van. I think the side said Larson Construction. He slowed, asked me if I needed him to call 911, then drove off when I said I already did.” He tugged on the folded-up door again.

“Let the fire department get me out. I appreciate your help. What’s your name?”

“Cary Billings. I was headed home after my job at the burger place on Second Street. Good thing, huh?”

“Yeah. I’m Deputy Reynolds.” Of course, if the young man hadn’t been on the road at that time, Rowan might’ve made it off the mountain without crashing. Man, his head hurt. He tried moving his left arm and gasped at the sharp pain that shot up his elbow. “Can you see my arm?”

“Yeah, it’s cut pretty bad. You bleeding to death?”

Rowan chuckled. “I hope not.”

Sirens wailed in the distance. “They’re here.” Cary waved his arms over his head.

The ambulance and fire truck stopped a few feet away, blocking the road. Two firemen rushed his way. “We’ll have you out of there in no time.”

As they pulled him out, Rowan endured the most excruciating pain he’d ever experienced. What had been numb came alive. A few times, he almost passed out especially when they lifted him onto the gurney. He reached out and grabbed the sleeve of one of the firemen. “Please call the sheriff and let him know that Deputy Reynolds has been in an accident and taken to Langley Hospital.”

“Sure, buddy.” He started to pat Rowan’s shoulder, then thinking better of it, nodded. “I’ll do that right now.”

The paramedics took his vitals on the way to the hospital and wrapped the cut on his arm, then a nurse took his vitals again when he was rolled into a curtained room. She smiled. “I’ll bring you something for the pain.”

That’s it? No clue as to how badly he was injured?

“How are you doing?” Sheriff Westbrook poked his head through the curtain. “I haven’t seen the car yet, but you look pretty beat up.”

“The car looks like an accordion.” He raised the bed. “I haven’t seen the doctor yet.”

As if on cue, the doctor joined them. “Sorry about that. Busy night.” He looked at the vitals on the computer screen. “Not too bad. How do you feel?” He shined a light in Rowan’s eyes.

“Like I was in a car accident. Every part of me hurts.”

The doctor chuckled. “You think you hurt today, wait until tomorrow. You’ve got a concussion, that’s for sure.” He checked Rowan’s arm. “We’ll stitch that. Anything else you’re concerned about? We could do an x-ray.”

Rowan gave himself a few minutes to see if any other part of him cried for attention. “My knees?”

The doctor rolled up his pants leg. “Swollen and bruised. I’m suggesting you lay low for a few days. I’ll prescribe something for inflammation and pain. Come back if anything gets worse. The PA will be in to stitch you up in a minute.”

“Guess you’ll be out of the office for a few days.” The sheriff plopped down in the vacant chair next to the bed.

“Have a mechanic look my car over, especially the brakes. I think it might’ve been tampered with.”

The sheriff’s eyes narrowed. “You serious?”

“Yep. Brakes acted funny. I think Larson wants me out of the picture, so don’t have him look at the car.”

The sheriff’s face darkened. “Let’s not assume anything without proof, but if your car was messed with, I’ll haul him in for questioning. Enough is enough.” He stood. “I’ll check it out myself right now and get back to you.”

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