Free Castle Cay by Lee Hanson Page B

all these years, Joannie. I promise to be
a much better friend in the future. Speaking of the future, have
you guys decided where the boys are going to school? Are you
thinking U-Mass, Boston College, or what?”
    Her awkward segue worked.
    The two of them went on to talk about the
boys and the University of Massachusetts, about local politics and
tennis. Their conversation was easy and enjoyable. The years melted
away.
    All too soon, it was time for Julie to leave.
She wanted to get checked into the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston
before noon. Her plan was to see Matt Castle shortly after that and
she didn’t want to miss him.
    Joan walked her to her car and they
hugged.
    Julie turned the ignition, waved to her
friend, and released the emergency brake.
    The Malibu started forward…too fast. Julie
put her foot on the brake and it went all the way to the floor. She
stamped on it, futilely.
    What the hell?!
    The car hurtled down the steep hill, headed
straight for the river.
    * * * * *

Chapter 24
    I nstinctively, Julie slammed on the
emergency brake and pushed the automatic gearshift to Park .
She yanked the steering wheel hard to the left and held it there.
In a matter of seconds, the car had reached the two lane road and
done a one-eighty to the left before slamming to a stop, rear-end
facing the river.
    In shock and trying to catch her breath,
Julie closed her eyes and dropped her head on her arms, slumped
over the steering wheel. Mere moments later, she lifted her head
and looked out her window.
    There was a car heading right for her.
    Shit, shit, SHIT!
    She saw the driver’s panicked face and heard
the squeal of his brakes. She closed her eyes tight, bracing and
holding her breath, expecting the broadside impact…
    It didn’t happen! The man had stopped the car
a few inches from her door! The older driver was looking at her,
agape, relief written all over his face. Julie exhaled like the
governor just called off her execution.
    Thank you, God! Thank you!
    She heard another screech as a second hapless
motorist just missed hitting the old man. Unable to open the
driver’s side door, she slid to the right and jumped out of the
Malibu.
    Joan Soldano had watched the accident in
horror, running down the hill after the runaway car. Now, she
darted across the road. “Ohmigod, ohmigod! Julie! Are you all
right?!”
    “I’m okay! The brakes are gone!”
    The white-haired, bespectacled old man that
had almost T-boned Julie had gotten out of his car. “Are you okay,
Miss?”
    “Yes, thank God. Are you?”
    “Yes, I’m just glad I was able to stop!”
    •
    The back end of Julie’s car had knocked down
a section of the low stone wall edging the river bank and smacked
into a tree directly behind it. The rear end was caved in and two
tires were blown.
    Julie saw a police car, weaving through the
traffic, heading in her direction. She realized then that she had
to get the Malibu off the narrow road as quickly as possible. The
car was only partially blocking the northbound lane and people were
slowing down and going around it. But behind the older man’s car,
the traffic was stacking up. She dug out her cell phone and her
rental contract and called Hertz.
    Once the report was made and the car towed
away, Julie followed Joan back up Drake Hill to the house. The plan
was for Joan to drive her to the local Hertz office for a
replacement. Pausing by the front walk to rest from tugging her
carry-on up the hill, she happened to glance down at the small bag.
The wheels had left two short, dark stripes on the pavement leading
to a tiny iridescent pool.
    A puddle of brake fluid.
    * * * * *

Chapter 25
    G iven that she was still alive and
breathing, Julie decided not to press her luck by asking God for a
parking space. She left the new rental - a Camry - at the Marriott,
and walked up State Street for her one-thirty appointment with Matt
Castle.
    Entering the lobby of the building, Julie
noticed that the law firm was the only occupant