startled when there seemed to be no response. Pressing more firmly, then finally stomping his foot to the floor, the detective realized that the brakes were useless, and his rental car was accelerating rapidly, headed for the sharp curve at the bottom of the hill.
Lightning fast, he analyzed his situation, looking for the best response. There was enough oncoming traffic, that veering to the left and hoping that the towering trees would stop his progress was not an option. Continuing to pick up speed and crashing into the family van in front of him was also not an option, which left him with only one possible course of action. Forcibly willing his muscles to relax, knowing that it would lessen the impact of a crash upon his body, he wrenched the steering wheel to the right, headed straight for the low rock wall and the treed slope behind it.
Adrenalin surged through the determined detective who was willing to risk his life rather than put the safety of others in jeopardy. In a flash, he’d jumped the shoulder and crashed through the rock wall, the air bag slamming into his chest and taking his breath away while shards of glass rained like glittering ice chips through the interior and the scream of metal tearing and folding in on itself pierced the sunny calm of the day. The crumpled car continued its descent, picking up speed as it flew down the embankment, a huge boulder finally halting its progress with a bone-jarring crash, the bloody detective slumped inside.
Chapter 19
Missy called Echo after hanging up with Chas’s brother, so distraught that she could barely speak. Her friend came over immediately, armed with an ample supply of Missy’s favorite Vanilla Bean Ice Dream and a bottle of French wine. Putting the frozen treat in the freezer, Echo poured them each a glass of wine and ordered a very emotional Missy to sit down in the living room so that they could talk.
“Now, tell me what his brother said on the phone,” her friend encouraged softly as Missy took a huge gulp of wine, trying to calm herself. Toffee came over and laid her head in her owner’s lap, gazing up at her with warm brown eyes, and Bitsy nestled next to her feet.
“He said that Chas had been in a car accident in the mountains and that he was lucky. He has several nasty cuts and bruises, but the air bag saved him from any serious injury,” Missy replied, her breath hitching in between words.
“See…” Echo soothed. “Everything is going to be fine. Why did Reginald call you instead of Chas though?” she asked, puzzled.
“Chas’s phone was destroyed in the crash. They had to…” she stopped for a moment, unable to continue. Taking another sip of wine and a deep breath, she continued. “They had to cut the car into pieces to get him out of the wreckage.” Her voice broke at the end, and she made a Herculean effort to keep from breaking down again.
“So, why did he crash? What happened?”
Missy shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know. Reggie hinted that there was more to the story, but said that Chas would be able to fill me in when he comes home tomorrow.”
Echo smiled brightly, always looking on the sunny side of things. “Well, he can’t be too badly hurt if he’ll be home tomorrow, right?” she said, refilling Missy’s glass. “And, unless you want to be hungover when you greet him at the airport, this is your last glass of the night, I’m cutting you off, my friend,” she teased, eliciting a wan smile from her friend.
“What would I do without you?” Missy asked, her eyes brimming with tears.
“We’ll never have to know,” was the reply, followed by a warm hug.
Chapter 20
Tears rolled freely down Missy’s cheeks when she saw Chas limping down the jetway toward her. She threw herself into his embrace, instantly regretting it when he winced.
“Oh my goodness, did I hurt you? I’m so sorry, Chas. I was so worried about you, are you okay?” she babbled, crying in earnest.
He had cuts with
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