by Sue Coletta
I feigned innocence. “Did what?”
In return, he grimaced and left the room.
Chapter 19
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
Dog-tired from a long night at the hospital, we said our goodbyes to Lolli and Dexter and got on the road. We had a long journey ahead of us. Detective Clementine offered to drive the Crown Vic to Massachusetts. Apparently, he’d always wanted to spend time at Revere Beach and this was his chance to take some well-needed vacation time. In return Levaughn paid for his plane ticket home. Win-win for everyone.
Ashley Urban was arrested for ten counts of first-degree homicide and two counts of attempted-murder, along with multiple counts of reckless behavior, kidnapping, torture, the list went on and on. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about it. When all’s said and done, a mother did everything in her power to save her child. People lost their lives, but this case had so many gray areas. On one hand, she should be punished for torturing innocent men and women who did nothing more than visit a medical clinic. On the other, Joshua had to grow up without his mom. Thankfully, she had a sister who showed up at the hospital. While Ashley did her time, at least Joshua wouldn’t get lost in the system. Still, the whole situation sucked.
During the ride home Nadine slept through the first hundred miles. One might think she solved the case by the way her snores filled the interior.
In the passenger seat, Levaughn undid his seatbelt and swiveled toward me. “You’re amazing, you know that?
The compliment caught me off-guard, and a warmth swept up my face. “I am?”
“I don’t know how you managed to get Odin to back off, but if it wasn’t for your quick thinking that child might not be alive.”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know how it happened either.”
“I don’t follow.”
“All I did was call Tex. He handled the rest. Gotta love SEALs. They know how to get shit done.” I winked. “About that other thing.” Squirming in my seat, I kept my focus on the road. “I do love you, y’know. Once we’re home and settled, ask me again.”
“I don’t know if I want to marry you now.” He readjusted his bulging crotch. “I might need a few long hours of encouragement first.”
I biffed his arm. “Very funny.”
“Daniels, I’ve never been more serious in my life. Pull over at the next rest area. I want you now.”
“Nadine’s in the car. Down boy.”
“When we get home I’m tearing you to shreds.”
“Promises, promises.”
The way my luck was going, another hacker would probably take over where Reaper left off. With all the vulnerabilities in cars today, it’s only a matter of time before some sicko gave it a shot. The sad part was, manufacturers knew these vulnerabilities existed, but did nothing about it. In their view, if hackers misused their features, no one could place the blame on them. That alone should make us all shiver, because the next time it happens, it could be our car they target.
* * *
Other books by Sue Coletta
Want more Shawnee Daniels?
Check out Wings of Mayhem, Book 1 of the Mayhem Series.
Blessed Mayhem, Book 2, releases August, 2017.
Grafton County Series
MARRED, Book 1.
CLEAVED, Book 2.
Short Story Collections
RUN
SCREAM
The Rendering
Non-fiction
Crime Writer’s Research
60 Ways to Murder…Your Characters
About the Author
Member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers, Sue Coletta is an award-winning, multi-published author in numerous anthologies and her forensics articles have appeared in InSinC Quarterly. In addition to her popular crime resource blog, Sue co-hosts the radio show “Partners in Crime” on Writestream Radio Network. She’s the communications manager for the Serial Killer Project and Forensic Science and founder of #ACrimeChat on Twitter.
Sue lives in rural New Hampshire with her husband, who deals with a crazy crime writer who feeds circus peanuts to a crow named Poe, a raven named Edgar, a squirrel named Shawnee, and a chipmunk named Hippy.
Website: http://suecoletta.com
Email: [email protected]
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