Change of Heart - By S.E. Edwards Page 0,24
tell. Rich steers forward. As our car passes the Lincoln, time slows for me.
I turn my head slowly to the right. At the same moment the driver’s side window of the black car rolls down. A stab of fear hits me right in the gut as a bald, skinny man in a beige suit turns his head to look at me. He doesn’t have the bulk to match either of the silhouettes I’d seen breaking down the door. His eyes seem to pierce right through the glasses and reach down to my very core. Danger emanates from him.
I bristle and look away, heart racing.
“Did you get a good look?” Rich asks.
It takes me a moment to remember myself, then I turn on him in a fury. “Why did you do that?” I demand.
“Do what?”
“Slow down as we passed! The man in the car rolled his window down and looked right at me!”
“Sorry. I wanted to see who it was.”
“But now he’s seen me!” I twist back in my seat, my heart still pounding in my chest. “The car’s not following. Rich, they’re not following us.” I’m on the verge of hysteria. “Is that a good thing? Why aren’t they following us? Rich? Rich!”
“Penny.” Rich reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Relax.” His hand moves up to lower the overhead visor. He taps the mirror on the flipside. “Look here.”
I do. Relief floods over me when I see how much of my face the aviators hide. I can hardly recognize myself under the enormous lenses. I doubt even Abby would know it’s me if I show up in front of her wearing them.
“Thanks,” I mumble. “Sorry for freaking out. I feel like a dork.” I look back, and see the black car still standing on the street. “Why aren’t they following us, though?”
“I don’t think they know my truck,” Rich says. “I’ve driven it maybe twice in the past year. I prefer my own feet, and everything is close by, anyway, on campus.”
“Oh. So you’re a student here too, then?” I can’t believe I don’t even know that about him.
“Kind of.” Rich shrugs. “I was supposed to graduate a few years ago, but I took some time off. I have only a few credits left to complete. But I never seem to find the time.”
“So being chased by mobsters is a regular occurrence for you, then?” I smile. “At least I’m glad I’m with a pro.”
He gives me a level look. “That’s not funny.” But then he breaks into a wide grin, betraying the words.
I laugh. It seems the only thing left to do in the situation. “So, what next?”
“Next,” Rich says, “I get you somewhere safe.”
***
Some time later, Rich’s Ford eases to a stop. I hear the engine turn off. I open my eyes groggily. I must have dozed off without realizing it as he drove.
I look around, expecting to see his friend’s place outside… but no. We’re at some tiny, rural gas station. Tall evergreens surround us on all sides.
I yawn and stretch my arms. “How long have I been out?”
“Almost an hour and a half,” Rich answers.
“Are we close, then?”
“About halfway there. Maybe less. This is the last gas station I know of on the way, though.”
“Just how far from the reaches of civilization are you taking me, Rich?”
He chuckles. “Far enough to keep you safe. It’s a small town, no more than five hundred people.”
“Good. I was worried you’d leave me in the woods,” I joke, peering at the trees around us.
He laughs again. “I’m not that cruel. I’m going to fill up and take a look inside. You want anything?”
“What I want,” I say, taking off my seatbelt, “is to stretch my legs.” I put my hand on the handle to open the door when I hear a sharp intake of breath. I look back at Rich. There’s a tense expression on his face. “Is something wrong?”
He blinks once… and then forces a smile. “No.” He shakes his head. “Of course not. Go ahead.”
“Weirdo,” I mutter as I open the door and step outside. The fresh air hits me like an avalanche after the stuffy warmth of the car. I stretch my arms and breathe in deeply, loving the scent of old trees in the air. The air in California never seemed that bad, but I didn’t know how good a lungful of pure, unpolluted air felt until I moved north.
I turn back to find Rich with the nozzle stuck into the car. He pauses. “Damn!