No Return

25

“Someone chased you?”

Wes and Anna had been handed over to a plainclothes detective named Andrews. He looked to be about Wes’s age, and was obviously having a hard time believing their story.

“Yes,” Wes said. “From Downs all the way to China Lake Boulevard.”

Andrews glanced at his notes. “Two cars.”

“At first it was only the coupe,” Anna chimed in. “The SUV didn’t show up until the end.”

“That’s the car you ran into?”

“Yes,” Wes said. “If nothing else, the rear half on the driver’s side should be pretty scratched up.”

“You didn’t get a look at the driver?”

“The windows were tinted.”

“What about the make?” the detective asked. “Or a license number? For either car?”

“I was a little busy trying to get away,” Wes said. He rubbed his left shoulder. It had taken the brunt of the collision. Though the rear fender of the bike had also been bent a little. Sorry, Dad. Anna had continued to say that she was okay, but he was pretty sure she was just trying to keep him from worrying.

“There’s got to be someone who saw everything,” Wes added. “We passed several cars.”

Andrews picked up Wes’s driver’s license from the table. “Mr. Stewart, you do realize that you’re not licensed to drive a motorcycle, don’t you?”

Wes looked at the detective, his eyes narrowing. “Yes. I realize that. I plan on taking care of that next week. But that has nothing to do with what happened to us tonight.”

“We’ll have someone check it out,” Andrews said finally, continuing to study the license a moment longer before finally handing it back. “I’m going to let you off this time, considering what you say you’ve been through. I’ll even let you drive the bike back to your motel. But I’d advise you not to ride it again until you get your license sorted out. If you’re stopped, you will be cited, and your bike will be impounded.”

“Thanks,” Wes said, trying not to let his annoyance show.

“I’ll have one of our officers follow you back. Just in case your friends show up again.”

Wes was about to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but he could see that Anna liked the idea. “That would be nice. Thanks, again.”

“We’ll call you if we need any more information.” Andrews stood up.

“Or if you find out who did this to us?” Wes asked.

“Of course.”