caravans Americans call trailer homes.
Lauren looked at James. Reckon we can pinch a car from here??
Co you know how to steal cars??Curtis asked.
i can hotwire the old ones,?James explained. But every recent car has a security chip in the ignition key. You need special tools to get those going.?
Hou dont find many rich people in trailer homes,?Curtis said. To this is where ite at if youte looking for scrap metal.?
Le want something that抣l make it to Los Angles, though,?Lauren reminded them.
They cut along the wire fence, heading away from the interstate, and ducked through one of the gaps. There were a few trailers in a cluster near the entrance, but there was too much risk of being spotted around there. Lauren took the lead, crunching her way towards a lonely trailer at the rear of the park, with only a burned-out shell a couple of berths along for company.
There was a lamp on inside the trailer and a hum from the air conditioning unit on the roof. James crept up to a Dodge sedan parked alongside and peered through the drivere side window. Although the car was shabby, it had an airbag in the steering wheel and a CD player: both indications that it was too modern to be started by short-circuiting the ignition.
Ro chance,?James whispered, as he looked back over his shoulder. Theyte probably asleep in there. I suppose I could try sneaking inside and grabbing the key.?
As James said this, he heard the aluminium door of the trailer crash open, followed by the unmistakable sound of a double-barrelled shotgun being pumped. He spun around in time to find the end waving under his nose.
To youte the brats that keep messing with my car,?the woman shouted. Lhere you from? Ite never seen you round here.?
She only looked about twenty, with long brown hair, wearing mules and a nightshirt.
i dont want trouble,?James shouted, raising his hands in the air. Lete out of here, dont worry.?
Oh, you think youte just walking away, do you??the woman asked. it cost me two hundred bucks when you slashed my tyres. Youte coming inside and It callin?the cops.?
Lete never been here before,?James said. Lete棐
The woman tutted. Cont feed me your lies, kid ?Youte lucky ite me that caught you. Some of the guys in the trailers down the front are so sick of you kids busting up our cars, theyt have busted you up rather than calling the law.?
Lauren crept forward and sobbed theatrically. Dlease dont shoot my brother.?
The woman looked confused as Lauren moved another step closer. She backed up to the door of the trailer.
Cont you come no closer, girl.?
Dleeeeeease,?Lauren sobbed.
慙isten,?the woman said, anxiously shifting her gun towards Lauren.
James could tell from the womane expression that she didnt have the heart to shoot anyone, least of all a ten-year-old girl. He ducked under the gun and grabbed the muzzle, while Lauren scrambled to safety behind the car. James forced the gun around so that it was parallel with the womane chest and used it to pin her back against the side of the trailer.
慙et it go,?James said, grabbing the womane skinny wrist and peeling her hand off the stock.
The woman sobbed as James took control of the gun. Dlease dont hurt my baby.?
Let inside,?James snarled.
The woman walked up two metal steps and into the trailer.
is there anyone else in here??James asked, as he flipped a light switch.
Lust my daughter.?
Lauren and Curtis followed them inside and quickly pulled up the door.
慙auren,?James said. Aind a radio and tune it to that station: we need to know what the cops are doing.?
The inside of the trailer was well worn, but clean, with little kids?toys scattered everywhere. There was a sofa on one side, a row of kitchen cabinets opposite and a three-year-old asleep on a small mattress by the window.
Tit on the sofa,?James ordered.
Lauren found a radio and switched it on. James realised that the gun was terrifying the poor woman. He broke the barrel open and tipped the cartridges out on to the carpet.
it not gonna hurt you, but we do need your help,?James said. Lhate your name??
Daula.?
Daula,?James said, The three of us are in a spot. Wete on the run and our car died on us.?
On the run??
Arom the cops. Me and Curtis here just busted out of Arizona Max.?
Paula buried her head in her hands and took a deep breath as the radio confirmed James?story:
憛 Two police officers were seriously assaulted at a roadblock six miles outside the town of Nix. Police say