Tumbled Graves by Brenda Chapman Page B

Mallorytown rest stop was going to be more than an hour the speed they were forced to travel.
    â€œMom’s not going to like this.”
    â€œShe’ll never know. I just don’t want to stop in the middle of nowhere. We have to make Montreal before daybreak.” He took Jed’s silence for agreement, knowing it wasn’t. “Send her a text and tell her we’re hunkering down.”
    â€œBut that’s a lie.”
    â€œNot really. We will hunker down. Just not yet. No need to have her worry.”
    Jed’s thumbs got busy again. After he sent the message, he crossed his arms and slumped deeper into the seat. He turned sideways and looked out the passenger window.
    Walter didn’t have the energy or time to deal with his son’s disapproval. He’d smooth things over when they took the break in Mallorytown. The lights of two vehicles were ahead of him, both in the left lane. He could barely make out their tail lights through the darkness and rain. Still, it was comforting to know they weren’t the only fools on the road. Thunder split the sound barrier directly overhead and seconds later fork lightning lit up the sky like fireworks.
    â€œDad!” Jed’s voice came out a high pitched shriek, nearly making Walter swerve into the other lane. “Dad! Pull over! Somebody’s lying on the road.” Jared lifted an arm and punched his finger on the glass. “On the side of the road.” He turned horrified eyes toward his father. “They’re just laying there, Dad. They could be dead.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œI know what I saw. You have to pull over now, Dad.”
    â€œMaybe it was just some garbage or road kill.”
    â€œIt was a person!” Jed’s voice had risen to frantic.
    Walter had been doing forty so it didn’t take much to gear down, especially since they were on an incline. He eased the rig onto the shoulder as far over as he could get. He set the air brakes and turned to face his son.
    â€œYou’re sure about this, Jed?”
    â€œI know what I saw.”
    He put on the four ways. “Okay, but you stay here. There’s no use in two of us getting drenched.”
    â€œI want to come with you.”
    â€œStay here. Have your phone ready to call 911.”
    Walter reached around behind him until he found his raincoat. He put it on, pulling the hood over his head.
    â€œGive me the flashlight in the dash.”
    Jed opened the glove compartment and reached around inside. He handed over the flashlight, his face grim in the dashboard light.
    Walter turned it on, keeping the beam pointed at the ground. He double checked for oncoming headlights before opening his door and jumping out of the cab. His face and jeans were soaked before he hit the ground.
    He checked again that no traffic was coming before racing to the back of the trailer and moving as far onto the shoulder as he could. The rain and wind pummelled against him but he had a wrestler’s body and was a match for even these elements. He plowed forward, head bowed and chin tucked, keeping his balance as he ran down the incline toward the place where Jed had yelled for him to stop. Even at that, he nearly stumbled over the woman. The feel of his boot jamming into her made him curse and jump back. He stood for a second, breathing heavily, arcing the flashlight along the road and over the grassy slope as far as it would cut into the blackness of the woods. Anybody could be out there.
    He pointed the beam to his feet and crouched down beside her, careful to keep one eye watching down the road for approaching headlights, straining to hear over the wind. She was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, rolled on her side, one arm straight out, the fingers spread wide. Her feet were bare, her legs twisted at unnatural angles. He pushed back her long tangled hair to find the back of her neck. Her hair was a soggy mass and cool to his touch. He