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“I’m sorry. I didn’t know who else to call. I need help.” Her voice shook again, and she couldn’t stop the water that pooled in her eyes. Since he couldn’t see it, she ignored it and went on.
“It’s me. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know what to do. I need to get out of here, but I can’t do it on my own. They’ll catch me and stop me. I’ll never be able to get away.”
‘Where are you?” Cole’s voice was demanding but gentle.
“I’m at home, in Mobile.” She didn’t know what else he meant. Mobile was the only place she’d ever lived.
“Are you safe?”
“I—I think so. For now, at least.”
“Can you stay safe for twenty-four hours?”
“I think so.” She didn’t want to go back to her place, but where else could she go?
“Don’t think. If you can’t be sure you’ll be safe for the next twenty-four hours until I can get there, get out. Get as much cash as you can now, then ditch your cell, car, and credit cards. Find a hole in the wall motel where no one would look for you and lock yourself inside. Once you get as much cash as you can, do not use your cards, not even for the motel. Especially not for the motel. If you have enough cash get a cheap burner and text me where you’re staying. If not, ask to borrow someone’s phone and send it. Then hunker down and wait. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m in south Texas right now and it’s going to take me at least twelve hours to get to you.”
“Will do.” She didn’t bother to tell him how much she’d already done. She could tell him later if they had time. Now, she needed to do what he’d said. Ditch the car and her phone, then find a motel. But if she ditched her car, how would she get to a motel?
The only person she could think of who might be able to help her find help was Corey, though she hated to ask him for more. Still, he’d said he could help her hide out if she needed. And from the terror that filled her every time she thought about Troy, her home or even asking Daddy for help, she needed it.
She picked up the sticky note from Corey and dialed the other number on the paper. It took a couple rings, but he answered.
“Corey it’s Sissy. I got a hold of Cole and he’s on his way but says it will take him a day to get here. He told me to ditch my car and phone and find a cheap motel to hide in. I didn’t know who else to trust. Can you help me?”
“Of course. Where are you? Do you know where you want to leave your car? Where can I pick you up?”
Possibilities raced through her head.
“How about the airport? I can use a credit card to buy a plane ticket away then park the car. If anyone finds it there, they’ll have no clue I didn’t use the ticket.”
“Great thinking. Use your phone to buy a ticket, someplace big like New York or Seattle,” Corey paused. “I can meet you at long term parking in an hour.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“Thank me by staying alive. One like Becky Lynn is to many.”
The line disconnected and she stared at the phone in her hand a moment wondering if maybe their classmate’s death had affected him even more than her.
Sissy refused to think about going home, or back to her house. After what happened last night, it wasn’t her home anymore. Instead, she drove to the airport and found a spot in the long-term parking lot, then used her phone to book a flight to New York City and a room for the night, using her father’s credit card. She used his card all the time and decided she might as well act as normal as possible and leave an easy trail away from where she really was, then powered off her phone and waited. She didn’t have to wait long.
Less than fifteen minutes after she’d finished with her reservations, she saw one of the pickups from next to the mechanic shop that morning pull into the parking lot. Getting out of the car she stood and waved. The pickup turned in her direction. She ducked back into the car to grab her handbag with both phones, her billfold and all her important things. She’d just stood again when the pickup pulled up behind her car, Corey behind the wheel. “Did you call me from your cell phone?” he asked out the lowered passenger side window.
Sissy shook her head. “I picked up a prepaid like you said. That’s what I called you from. The only thing I’ve used my phone for was to book a flight and hotel room in New York tonight.”
“Good girl. Leave your phone in the car.”
“I turned it off.” She hated to leave her phone behind. Her entire life was on it.
“Doesn’t matter. It can still be traced, leave it if you want to make a clean break.”
She looked down at her handbag then back to the car, then reluctantly she pulled her phone out and put it the glove compartment. With another deep breath she forced herself to leave it there and turned back to Corey.
“Should I leave the key inside?”
He shook his head and waved for her to get in. She closed her car, hit the lock button on her remote, and dropped the keys in her handbag before climbing into the passenger’s side of his pickup. He pulled away and she had to force herself not to look back. She’d loved her little Jaguar and would miss it but the car wasn’t worth her life.
