Chapter 38
“Nothing like a lifetime of secrets blowing up in your face to give a gal perspective.”
-Cam
I don’t know what kind of black magic my twin worked in the hospital, but before I knew it, nurses were wheeling me downstairs to a waiting Cat and her rental car. She opted for the nondescript sedan that’s so popular with us government types.
I snicker as I stand from the wheelchair. “Is this your go-to when you’re being a criminal concierge?”
Cat fakes a laugh, grabbing her belly. “Har-har. Shut your face and get in the damn car!”
I salute her. “Aye, aye, Captain Catalina.”
She rolls her eyes but puts the car in drive. “Where are we going first?”
“I need to go to the safe house and take a shower,” I smell my armpit. “I’m a little ripe.”
Cat raises her eyebrows. “I didn’t want to say anything.”
I punch her in the arm, and she laughs at me. Fuck. I’m weak. Getting attacked by radiation is a bitch.
We’re silent for several miles until she pulls up to a four-way stop and turns toward me in her seat. “Figured out what you’re going to say to him?”
I sigh. “Not yet. You’d think I’d have come up with something after all this time.”
“Maybe you need to…”
A jarring crash knocks me sideways in my seatbelt. I turn my head to see where it’s coming from. The silver grill of a dump truck pushes Cat’s side of the car toward me. Shards of glass rain through the air, and my only thought is to close my eyes so I don’t go blind. Everything moves in slow motion as the truck backs up and rams us again, this time knocking us off the road and into a ditch, where our car rolls twice and comes to a stop on the driver’s side.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Cat is shouting from the driver’s seat.
“Are you hurt?” I yell at her.
“I’m pinned. Can’t get free.”
My gut twists as I take in the horrific sight of my twin underneath the dashboard and engine block. She has glass in her hair and can’t move her arms. I’m still strapped into my seat, hanging sideways toward her.
“Can you reach the phone? Center console.”
I open the console and find a phone and Cat’s service weapon. I’m dialing 911 as I double-check the weapon has bullets, and the safety is off. I also discover a bright yellow seatbelt cutter in the console, pull it out, and kiss it.
“Flamingo Cove 911, what is your emergency?” A dispassionate voice answers after the first ring.
“This is ATF Agent Cam Saber. There’s been an accident - a truck T-boned the car my sister and I are in.”
I barely hear her typing as a gunshot pings off the hood of the car.
“Shit! Gunfire! We’re taking fire. Two federal agents in a navy sedan.”
“What is your location?”
I look toward Cat.
“County Road Ten, at Highway 72,” Cat grits her teeth in pain.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“In a ditch near County Road Ten, cross street Highway 72. Can’t miss the mess,” I relay. Another ping of bullets. “And heavy gunfire, please send backup!”
