Page 104 of The Deadly Shallows

“I’m coming with you,” she said, moving to climb into the passenger seat.

“You should make sure Lucy gets off safely.”

Austin looked torn but nodded and stepped back.

He peeled out of the driveway, taking the neighborhood roads that led fastest to Highway 40. Reaching 40, he depressed the pedal, the cherry radiating red circles on the pavement around him. He needed to close the distance between him and the sedan. Speeding forward, he searched the highway, but the sedan was nowhere to be found. He slammed the steering wheel and called Austin.

“Hey,” she said. “You okay?”

“I can’t find them. Are you and Lucy okay?”

“Yes. Doing fine.”

He gripped the wheel, his knuckles turning white as he got off at the next exit. “Okay. I’m circling back.”

Noah’s cell buzzed as he was dozing off to the ending credits of Miracle. He grabbed it as fast as he could, praying it didn’t wake Brooke.

“Rowley.” he said, in a low register, raking a hand through his hair.

“Sorry to bother you,” Caleb said. “But I thought you’d want to know that a black sedan was parked outside of Austin’s.”

Noah stood, moving away from the couch so he wouldn’t disturb Brooke. “What happened?”

“When I approached the car, shots were fired, and the car peeled off. I managed to blow out the rear window, but it kept going. I got in my car and raced to follow but couldn’t find them. I did get a visual on the license plate, though.”

“Is everyone safe?”

“Yes.”

“You did good. Send the plate number to Logan. I’m sure he’ll get right on it.”

The man stayed up to all hours. How he was never dragging, Noah would never know.

“I’ll send out an APB on the car too. Maybe a patrol car will pick it up,” Caleb said, and Noah could hear the frustration in his voice.

“It’s a solid plan, and everyone is safe,” he said, knowing the frustration of losing a mark. “Though it sounds like you’re finding and retrieving the barrels pricked some serious nerves.”

“Agreed.”

“Get a good night’s sleep. I have a feeling you and Austin are going to have your work cut out for you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, boss. ’Night.”

“’Night. And, Caleb . . .”

“Yes?”

“You two watch your backs tomorrow. And keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

“What’s wrong?” Brooke asked in a sleepy voice as Noah hung up.

“Sorry.” He turned to face her. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“What’s going on?” She rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

“Caleb and Austin had some trouble.”