Page 49 of Bridge to Safety

“Tighten your seatbelt, Rachel. Drive at a steady pace, Shiloh. Head for the sheriff’s office.”

“Do you think it’s Duke? He doesn’t own a car like that.” Her knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.

“He owns a garage. He’d have his pick of any of the cars there to be worked on or sold.” It definitely looked like Duke to him. Darn the pain meds that were making his brain fuzzy.

“You don’t want me to try and outrun him?” Shiloh shot him a quick look.

“Absolutely not. I’ve already been in one accident today.” He smiled at Rachel who had tears in her eyes. His brave little girl hadn’t made a single whimper. “We’ll be okay, sweetie.”

“Promise?” Her chin quivered.

“Promise.” He prayed it was a promise he could keep. How dare that man endanger his little girl.

“Daddy, are you spittin’ mad?”

A sharp laugh escaped him. “You could say that.”

Misty Mountain loomed to their right. He didn’t relish a car chase on that mountain. Not after what he’d gone through that morning. Not with Rachel and Shiloh in the car.

Two sheriff department cars sped down the Interstate headed in the opposite direction. Good. Rowan had spotted a place where they could cross the median about a mile back.

“Help is coming.”

Shiloh glanced in the rearview mirror. “Do you think he’ll go away?”

“Who knows?” He shrugged. “But, at least we’ll make it to our destination unscathed.”

She gave him a shaky smile. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Deputy Hudson forced his car in between them and the man following them. Matchett took up the rear. Seconds later, the sedan veered off and sped through the median to head in the opposite direction.

“Promise kept.” He exhaled heavily and slumped in his seat. “We still need to go to the sheriff’s office. I’ll explain later.” He put his head back and closed his eyes, secure in the fact they were safe. For now. At the office, he asked Shiloh to stay with Rachel and headed to speak to the sheriff.

Sheriff Westbrook glanced up from his desk when Rowan entered. “I thought you looked bad in the hospital. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

“Probably.” He sat in a chair across from him. “Tell me about the cut brake line.”

“Cleanly cut. I could tell for myself. No need for a mechanic. Could you ID the man following you?” He crossed his arms.

“Not one hundred percent, but I’m pretty sure it was Larson. Same build. Drove a navy Corolla, older model. Can we find out if he had that particular vehicle in the shop for repairs?”

“Shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ll send Matchett to the garage to look through his files.” A serious expression settled on his face. “This is getting dangerous. If it is Larson, he’ll go into hiding now and wait for his chance.”

“Shiloh’s house is the safest place around except for that renovated Victorian the mob boss used to own. No one can get in there.”

“What if the electricity is cut off?”

“That’s the only way. I’m hoping the dog would be enough warning to prevent that from happening.” He’d have to do some thinking on how to keep that particular threat at bay. “Mind lending me your wife’s dog, Shadow?” He grinned.

“She’d rather cut off my head.” The sheriff laughed. “Those two are rarely parted. We could hire a couple of guard dogs. We have before. I’ll also put out an APB on Larson. You staying at Miss Sloan’s?”

“Yes. First, we’re headed home to get a few things. I won’t let her out of my sight. When I’m recovered, I’m going to hunt Larson down like a dog.” He struggled to his feet with the speed of an old man. “Let me know about the dogs.”

“They’ll be there as soon as I can arrange it.”

He joined his daughter and Shiloh in the reception area where Rachel munched on chips from the vending machine. “How about a burger?”

“We’ll take it to go.” Shiloh stood. “You need to be off your feet before you fall. You’re swaying.”

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