Every Precious Thing

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

The sirens couldn't have been more than a half-mile away, but Pep knew they weren’t close enough.

The other car-now with the addition of Alan Lindley-was pulling out of the driveway. They’d be blocks away before the police arrived.

“Hurry, hurry,” Pep urged Barney.

They had stayed where they could see what was going on as long as they could. Now they needed to get back to their car. If they weren’t moving in the next thirty seconds, they’d lose the others for sure. Logan might be able to track them down again using his friend, but Pep didn’t want to count on that. He had to keep the others in sight.

The Jeep was parked right around the corner. Pep jumped in, fired up the engine, then leaned across the seat and opened the passenger door. As soon as Barney’s butt hit the seat cover, Pep jammed down the accelerator.

“Whoa!” Barney said, reaching out and pulling closed the door. “I’m not even fastened in yet.”

Keeping his tone calm, Pep said, “We’re kind of in a hurry, Barney.”

“You’re right, you’re right. Sorry.”

They turned onto Alan’s street just in time to see the taillights of the other car at the far end of the block. Pep had to restrain himself from pressing the gas all the way to the floor. They were in a neighborhood, and it was still early enough that someone might step out in front of them.

The other car turned right onto the street that led to a main road. Pep reached the intersection and saw the other car turn onto another road. This time he had no choice but to increase their speed and hope to God no one was around. When they arrived at the stop sign, he barely paused before making the turn. The first thing he saw was a police car speeding down the street in their direction. Pep jerked the Jeep to the curb, and stopped. As soon as the police cruiser passed, he pulled out again. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed what he thought. The cops were turning onto the road he’d just been on.

“A little late, guys,” he said under his breath.

“Maybe we should go get them,” Barney suggested.

Pep could see the other car a block down, its progress also slowed by the police. “We can’t,” he said. He tossed his phone to Barney. “Get Logan. We need to let him know what happened.”

Barney put the call on speaker.

“They got away before the police could get there,” he said.

“What about Alan?” Logan asked.

“They have him.”

Logan said nothing for a moment, then, “Do you know which way they went?”

“We’re following them right now,” Pep said.

They could hear Logan take a breath. “Okay. Stay on them.”

“Where could they be going?” Barney asked.

“I’m not sure. Perhaps-”

“Ah, Logan,” Pep said.

“Yes?”

“Looks like they’re getting on the freeway.”