Free Vendetta by Fern Michaels Page A

Navigator knew what had happened.
    When he finally made it to the store-front office, Jack collapsed into his swivel chair. “Get me something to calm me down. I don’t even care if it’s Valium. You aren’t going to fucking believe what I have to tell you, Mark.”
    Mark handed Jack a frosty bottle of Michelob. “Jack, I believe everything you tell me no matter how unbelievable it sounds. What the hell happened?”
    Jack told him. “I have to go back, but I can’t do it till morning when that guy picks up the dogs. My biggest worry is did he call the cops. I’m inclined to think he didn’t. He did give chase but he didn’t see me. I gotta tell you, Mark, something made me rip off that license plate. Talk about gut feelings and sixth senses. I’d be behind bars right now if I hadn’t done that. The bastard was just out there on the side of the road,
waiting
.”
    The only thing Mark heard were the words “I have to go back.
”
Don’t you think that guy or the cops will be out there tomorrow morning? How do you think you’re going to get in and out again?”
    Jack’s fingers raked his hair. “Not the way I got in today, that’s for sure. I’ll go in the way Conway goes in and jump the fence back by the barn where the ground dips. I can do it, Mark, so get that look off your face. I’m doing it. I found it! I know that button on the carving is the way they go in and out. I saw it through the magnifying glass. I’m not wrong. I was
that
close and then had to split.
That
close, Mark. Damn, I’d go back there right now if those damn dogs weren’t there.”
    “That’s definitely not an option at the moment. Let me read up on those directions again. Maybe I can turn off the gates from Conway’s spot or by coming up toward the house from the other side. Maybe there’s a way to modify the gray box. I’m going with you and I think we should take Conway with us. By the way, where is he?”
    “I sent him home. He’s spooked. Besides, even with all his body warmers, it’s forty-four degrees outside. Give him a call and tell him to meet us out there at seven.”
    “What if the architect shows up?”
    “Call the guys to make sure that doesn’t happen. All we need is an hour in that house, Mark. We’re going to need a good camera.”
    Mark groaned as he opened a second bottle of beer for Jack and one for himself.
    Jack held his bottle aloft. “Here’s to the word surprise!”
    “Bull
shit
! Here’s to a prison cell and no bail!”
    “I’m not drinking to that!”
    Mark started to laugh and couldn’t stop. “Then you’re a bigger asshole than I thought you were.” Before they knew what was happening they were both rolling on the floor, pummeling one another, laughing their heads off.

Seven

    Kathryn Lucas sat across the table from Myra, her thoughts running in all directions as she watched Myra gobble down what Kathryn called truckers’ home-cooked food.
    “This is so wonderful, so tasty. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much grease at one sitting. I can’t wait to tell Charles.”
    Kathryn grinned. “Are you going to tell him you heard your arteries snap shut?”
    “I think I’ll leave that part out. I am so glad you invited me along. I haven’t done anything this exciting in twenty years. Charles is never going to believe I went on this little road trip. You don’t happen to have a camera, do you, dear?”
    “Nope, but we can buy a throwaway one at the register when we pay our bill. Posterity, huh? I’m so glad you’re enjoying the thrill of the open road.”
    “What I like is the camaraderie. You seem to know everyone. Are your colleagues always this friendly?”
    “Yes, and every single one of them would drop what they’re doing to help another trucker. Remember how they blocked the highway that time Jack Emery sent out an APB on me? Believe it or not, Myra, the truckers could bring the country to a standstill if they wanted to. They’re good, hard-working people trying to