Page 26 of Ashes

LUTHER

In the passenger seat, Sarah looks ready to throw up. “What are you going to do?” she asks quietly.

“I haven’t decided yet.” I tighten my grip on the steering wheel. “But I can’t take you back to The Hollow. Nico’s there and I don’t want you any more at risk than you already are.”

Sarah nods gratefully but seems surprised that I care whether she’s at risk or not.

“I’ll take you some place safe. I have the recording of what you told me in the diner.” I pull onto the road that leads to the back of the stores on Main Street, and slow down. When I stop at the rear ofRev’s Threads, I take out my phone. “I won’t take your photos, but can I take pictures of them?”

Sarah nods and reaches into her purse. She’s still shaky. Her hands tremble as she passes me the images.

One by one, I snap shots to show Nova. Then I hold up the phone. “If you want to give Nova a message, I’ll record it.”

For a moment, Sarah doesn’t move. Then she nods her head. I press record and she says, “Please believe me when I say I’m sorry. I hope I get the chance to make this up to you.”

“That’s it?” I ask, stopping the video.

She nods.

“Okay, then let’s get you inside.” As I open the door and climb out onto the sidewalk, Rev appears at the store’s back entrance.

“When you said you had a witness for me to hide, I was expecting someone a little more dangerous-looking,” she says, her forehead creasing as she looks at Sarah.

“It’s a long story.” I turn to Sarah as she steps up onto the sidewalk. “This is Rev. She’ll take care of you until I’ve spoken to Nova and figured out what happens next.”

She presses her lips together. She’s holding her cardigan tight around her middle. “All right.” She hesitates then, unable to stop herself, says, “And Sam?”

I narrow my eyes. “I don’t know.” To Rev, I add, “I’ll update you when I’ve spoken with the others.”

Rev nods, then watches me get in the car. As I drive away, she’s putting her arm around Sarah’s shoulders and ushering her inside.

* * *

The road out of town is thick with parked-up news crews. They line the sides of the road, reporters on cellphones shouting angrily at fuck-knows-who. Further up, I reach the reason they’re all so pissed; a blockade.

I wind down my window to find Daryl’s pock-marked face staring back at me. “Deputy Ross?” His pale mouth drops open. “Shoot. Sir. What are you doing out here?” He looks back in The Hollow’s direction, which sits just out of sight around the bend. “You’re supposed to be in there with the sheriff.”

“I am?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Well, I mean, I thought…” Daryl trails off.

“What’s going on here, Daryl?” I ask sternly, glad I trusted my instincts and dropped Sarah at Rev’s.

“The SDB ordered all reporters and news crews to be moved back from the barrier, Sir.”

“The SDB?” I drum my fingers on the steering wheel. Mack must have got through to them. At fucking last.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Great. In that case, I’ll head home. If that’s okay with you?” I wait for Daryl’s answer.

Daryl holds up a finger. “Wait a minute,” he says. “I better check.” As I rub my hand over my face and groan with impatience, Daryl gesticulates wildly to Tanya and Jake. They’re mid-shouting-match with an angry looking female journalist from Wolf News. Tanya looks past Daryl, sees me, and waves her hand at him.

When he returns to the car, he says croakily, “Tanya says to go ahead and let you past, Sir.”

“Very good.” I’m about to put the window back up when he says, “For the record, Sir, I don’t believe a word of what they’re saying about you and the sheriff.” He grins a toothy grin and waves his hands. “Team Sheriff. All the way.”

I ignore him and press my foot to the gas.

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