Page 17 of The Walls of Levi

He is looking at me now. My tongue is tied. I was going to say that I never had any interest in doing so, but that would be a lie.

“You never what?”

“Never mind. I have no ulterior motive towards you. I have no part in what happened earlier. I was minding my own business. How we got here, you and me, is complete coincidence. I think.” I give him a look. He could be the one with an ulterior motive. I really don’t believe he is, but he accused me, so…

He chuckles. “I have no idea how we got here. I was driving on the wrong side of town. I was in the wrong place at the right time.”

We sit there looking at each other for several minutes. His eyes are starting to draw me in. His beard looks soft, and I ball my hands up in fist to keep from reaching for it and running my fingers through it.

“Why did you tell me your name was Katie?”

“What?” I’m confused for a second. “Oh. My name is Kathleen. Everyone calls me Katie.”

“I’m not. Your name is Kathleen. It fits you better.”

“Oooookay.”

Chapter 9

Levi

“So, Kathleen. Tell me more. What do you do in your spare time?”

“Why are you so curious about me, Levi James?”

“Well, it looks like we are stuck together until we figure out who is trying to take you and what they are planning, if they get you.”

“If?”

“Yes, if. I have no intentions of letting anyone take you if you don’t intend for them to.”

“Why do you care so much?”

“I’m not sure yet.” And I’d be damned if that wasn’t the truth. I should just put this girl out, but I can’t. And I don’t know why. I don’t know her. She’s been to my races; her dad is a sponsor of mine. I’ve seen her somewhere before, I know I have, but I can’t place where. It could be from a picture in her dad’s office or something. I know Danny pretty well. I’ve worked with him for a long time. He was one of my first sponsors. I’m not sure why. He showed up to my office one day and told me he was going to sponsor me. There was no preamble. There were no questions. He just said he was going to. I agreed to the contract he set before me and we’ve been doing this ever since. He’s never been to a race that I know of, so I don’t know why he wanted to sponsor me. I wasn’t going to turn down anyone when I was desperately in need of them then.

But there is something about her too. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. I know that she doesn’t have any ulterior motives, but I can’t be too careful.

I need to make sure before I make the suggestion that I’m about to make, though.

“You need to call your dad and tell him what’s going on. I know him, and I know how he is. Just tell him you’re safe and with me. Don’t tell him where you are. He knows I’ll keep you safe. Can you do that?”

I didn’t know my plan until I got here so I’m glad I stopped at this gas station before we decided to use her phone. I don’t know if she is being tracked, but I’m not taking any chances.

She pulls out her phone to call Danny; I get out of the car to make a call also.

It rings a couple times before a groggy voice answers. “Hello?”

“Ron? Wake up a little and listen.”

“I’m hearing you, boy.”

“Something has happened. Deep pockets is after me. I have Danny Rogers’ daughter. My original plan is still intact. No more details. The less the better. Do you understand me?”

“I got you, boy. Be careful. Burn me later.”

“Will do. Tell Dale. See you soon.”

“You got it, buddy. Later.”

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