“Let me hook him in.”
The seconds were fractured by her now-racing heart. Then Amos asked, “Zia, you on?”
“Read you five by five. Hi, Jenna honey.”
Pulling a wayward lock of hair from her eyes revealed her trembly fingers. “Noah’s here with me.”
Amos said, “The Merc belongs to the Morino limo group out of LA.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“I’ve got a buddy checking them out.”
Noah said, “I should’ve thought to note the license plate of Lane’s ride back at the house.”
“Ancient history,” Zia replied. “What are they doing?”
“Holding steady, about half a car length behind us,” Noah said. “They basically fill my rearview mirror.”
There was a deep-throated roar. Then Jenna cried, “There’sanother one!”
Noah said, “He’s passed us. Come in directly in front—”
Amos shouted, “Noah, pull off the road NOW.”
Noah slammed on his brakes. Which was the only reason they were partly ready when the car in front hit his brakes so hard the tires smoked. The front Merc slewed slightly, then pulled off in front of Noah’s truck.
Jenna shrilled, “He tried to get us to rear-end him!”
“Noah!”
“We’re okay. We’ve halted. The Mercs have us hemmed in, not quite touching both bumpers. We’re trapped.”
“Zia?”
“Where are you at, Noah?”
“Just north of San Lu, headed home.”
Jenna said, “I can see a sign for Regency Homes.”
In reply, they heard Zia say, “All units be advised. Highway assault in process. Probable gang affiliation. Northbound on State Road 17, just past highway marker six. Victims are in a Ford F150 double cab. Assailants are driving two late-model Mercedes S-Class.”
Jenna cried, “They’re getting out!”
Noah said, “Five, no, six Latinos. Four from the front car, two from the rear . . . Wait, there’s an old guy getting out of the rear car.”
Amos demanded, “You getting this, Zia?”
“Roger that. Okay, Noah, three cars are inbound. Hang tight.”
“Keep your hands visible at all times,” Amos said. “Keep your phone on. Donotget out of your car.”
Jenna turned and said, “The old guy is walking with a cane. Dark suit. Another younger guy in a suit but no tie is helping him.”
“Here he comes,” Noah said.
“They look very scary,” Jenna said. Through her open window she heard the faint wail of sirens. “Thank God, oh thank God.”
