Page 78 of Special Agent Murphy

Mark stared at her strangely. “The guy in the left-hand turnin’ lane who had the right of way. The guy who cussed you out and gave you the finger.”

“Oh.”

“You didn’t see him.”

“Of course, I did.”

“Not in time.”

“What’re you trying to say?”

“You need glasses.”

“Me? Glasses?” Like a motion picture reel unwinding, Kayti saw incident after incident where she got into situations, ending in accidents with everyone accusing her of wrongdoing. Could it be as simple as getting a prescription for glasses?

“You figure?”

“Kayti. It’s so obvious, I don’t understand why you never figured it out yourself.”

“Because, if there’s a problem, I think it’s a peripheral thing. I believe I can see fine if I look straight ahead.”

“No, you can’t. You tailgate so you don’t see how close you are to the cars in front of you. Like right now, you’re just two feet off the guy’s bumper, and he’s gettin’ mighty pis-mad about it.”

“Damn. Am I really? He looks further ahead to me.” Shaken, she pulled to the side of the road and put the car in park. “I’m sorry, Mark. You’re the only person who’s been in my car… who noticed it.”

“How many people drive with you and keep their eyes open?” Mark’s voice could be teasing, she didn’t know for sure.

“You messing with me?” She smiled to take the sting out of the question.

“Yeah. A little.” Weakly he added, “But we still have a ways to go, and I can’t drive. I guess you’re stuck behind the wheel.”

“How about if you warn me when you see a possible problem?”

“Will you freak out?”

“No! God, no. Your life’s at risk here too. Okay, you be my co-pilot, and I’ll back off more to compensate. We’ll get there safely.”

In no time, they pulled into the outskirts of Fairfax and headed north to the area past Great Falls where they’d recently suffered a big snowfall. As they neared the town where Mark’s uncle lived, vehicles driving toward them were still packing snow.

“How long has your Uncle Sid lived here, Mark?”

“This is where my pa’s family grew up. I figure he’s been here most of his life.”

“Would you want to live here with him when your dad is incarcerated?”

“I’d rather crawl naked through a high school hallway.”

Laughing, pleased to find that Mark had a sense of humor, she said, “Okay, no mention of him taking you in.”

“Thanks. But you won’t have to worry about that. He’d as soon kick my black ass into the river than have me live with him.”

“Good thing I don’t feel that way. Not yet, anyway. Until we get you settled where you’re safe and happy, we’ll stick together.”

“I’m happy when I’m with you.” This time his voice came out so low, she had to strain to hear the words. When she did, her heart skipped a beat, and she started picturing her life with the boy in it.

Funny thing, it didn’t look weird or seem wrong. The car phone rang. Hearing Murphy’s voice gave her a thrill, a warm feeling that spread all over her body. “Kayti, did you get there okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine. Anything new?”

---