Page 89 of Hating the Boss

“No. No. No,” I pleaded to the universe.

Then the siren sounded, filling my ears.

“Fuck!” I slammed my hand against the steering wheel and looked through the rearview mirror. Behind me was a police car that had just turned off the bridge, following me. He had witnessed my handful of traffic violations, and I was screwed.

At a red light, with the cop behind me, I had a decision to make. I either had to surrender, which kept me from getting to Sarah, or I ignored him and took off. My car was fast. I didn’t pay hundreds of thousands for it to be slow. I could possibly lose him. Sure, he was probably already running my plates, but I could deal with all the legal mumbo-jumbo later.

When the light turned green, I had made my decision. I pressed my foot to the gas and gunned it. My speedometer inched forward as my foot pressed harder against the pedal. I weaved in and out of traffic, but the cop was still on my tail.

I could hear his voice come through the top speaker of his car.

“Pull over!”

Ignoring him, I went even faster, knowing I was reaching a dangerous speed for the city’s mid-morning traffic. I would be at Sarah’s apartment in five minutes, according to my GPS. I just needed to not crash or get arrested before then.

I quickly turned down a side street, merely missing an oncoming trash truck. Because of the large green truck, the cop had come to a screeching halt, unable to make the turn. I laughed out loud, feeling maniacal as I maneuvered the car back out on a main road.

I quickly glanced at the picture of Sarah’s apartment complex provided by the GPS. I scanned my surroundings for the brick building, but this was Brooklyn. Everything looked the same.

Finally, I spotted the four-story brick building. Its white trim gave it away. I quickly pulled my car up to the curb, hitting my tires against it. Before I could even step out, the familiar sound of a siren blared behind me and I was washed in red and blue light.

Shit.

The officer had caught up, and at the worst time.

I quickly opened my door and stepped out of the car. If I could just get up there to see if she was okay…

“Freeze!” yelled the officer. I could hear the click of the safety of his gun, which stopped me in my tracks.

I reluctantly raised my shaking hands and placed them behind my head.

“Please, sir…” I said as calmly as I could, careful not to make any movement whatsoever.

“Don’t move!” he shouted, his footsteps approaching cautiously.

“You don’t understand. This is an emergency, officer.”

“I’m sure it is,” he muttered.

He quickly grabbed one of my wrists and twisted my arm behind my back. I winced slightly, but didn’t struggle. The gun that was now pressed to my back had me paralyzed.

“My…she…” I didn’t even know what to call Sarah at this point. “She’s in danger.”

“You have the right to remain silent…”

I shut my eyes in frustration as the officer pulled my other arm down behind my back and placed handcuffs tightly around my wrists.

“Please…”

“Anything you say can and will be held against you…”

“Yes, yes. Okay,” I said frustratedly, wanting him to wrap it up so I could explain the severity of the situation.

That only further pissed him off. He jutted his knee against the back of my legs, making me fold like a piece of origami. I fell to my knees on the sidewalk, gritting my teeth through the pain. I shot my eyes open when I heard frantic footsteps.

I couldn’t believe it. It was Sarah. She was okay, and she had a friend with her.

But then I saw movement beside them both, a flash of red. I wanted to cry out, but all that came out was a croak as I saw Angela step out from behind a corner. She wore a red dress, her dark hair a ratty mess, and her makeup looked as though she had been crying. The look in her eyes made her unrecognizable. There was so much darkness in them.