Free 36: A Novel by Dirk Patton Page B

minutes.”
    He was quiet for over a minute, probably with his hand over the phone as he consulted with his partner.  When he came back on his voice was low and dangerous.
    “Two hours, Bob.  Two.  Fucking.  Hours.  That’s all.  If you’re not here in two hours, I make a call and your baby brother is on a slab.  No more extensions, no more excuses.”
    “If that happens, I’ll drive this shit right into the closest DEA office, you motherfucker.  See how you like that shit, cocksucker!”
    I was taken aback when he chuckled and his tone reverted to the overly friendly, condescending asshole I’d gotten used to.
    “Bobberino, that would be the second biggest mistake of your life.  Tell me if you recognize this address.”
    He read off a street address in Scottsdale.  Before he finished speaking I was gripping the phone so hard my hand was cramping. 
    “If you fucking touch them…” I started to say before he cut me off.
    “Mom and Dad will be just fine as long as you do what you’re told.  Two hours, or Timmy is toast.  Fuck with me and Mommy and Daddy will join him.  So you see, Booby Boy, all you have to do is get here in two hours and everyone is fine.  It’s all up to you.”
    He hung up when he finished speaking and it took all my self control to not smash the phone against one of the exposed metal braces where the dash used to be.  My parents!  Dragged into this by more of Tim’s bad choices.  When was the little shit ever going to grow up?
    Setting my anger aside, I focused on my driving.  I pushed the little truck as fast as I dared on the narrow road.  Foolish, I know.  I could top a rise and be surprised by a cop waiting for a speeder, just like the Border Patrol had suddenly appeared.  But the stakes were higher.
    I finally figured out where I was when I reached the Patagonia Highway.  It ran in the wrong directions, so I continued on the small road, heading due north.  The pavement wasn’t smooth, but the small Ford handled it without fanfare and soon I began seeing signs of civilization.
    Small homes on large tracts of land.  The occasional car or truck going in the opposite direction.  Soon I began seeing signs alerting drivers to the approaching intersection with the Interstate that ran from the border up to Tucson.  Knowing this was prime territory for a radar trap, I reduced my speed to exactly the posted limit.  The last thing I needed was for some rural Barney Fife to pull me over and decide to search the truck.
    Not that he’d be that interested with Ralph along for the ride.  It would just depend on how bored he was.  I wasn’t going to take the chance.  I’d make up some time once I got on the Interstate with a legal limit of 75 miles an hour.  I’d be able to safely push my speed to over 80 without worrying about drawing attention.
     

11
     
    Monica was waiting for me, parked at the far edge of the massive truck stop.  I checked my watch as I wheeled into the lot, grimacing when I saw I had less than 25 minutes to make the meet.  Racing across the asphalt, I braked sharply and slid to a stop next to her 15-year-old Honda. 
    Jumping out, I wrapped my arms around her when she rushed to hold me.
    “I was getting worried,” she said, her voice muffled against my chest.
    “Me too,” I said, holding her tight.  “I have to go.  I’m running out of time.”
    She stepped away and grabbed my duffel out of her car.  Handing it to me, she moved close and put her hand on the back of my head.  Pulling my face down, she pressed her lips against mine for a long moment.  Breaking the kiss, she looked directly into my eyes.
    “I’ve decided something,” she said.
    “What’s that?”  I asked, antsy to get back on the road.
    “I’ve decided you are who I want to be with.  Come back to me.  Maybe, someday, we can tell our grandchildren about this.”
    I was momentarily frozen in place.  Surprised.  Yes, I’d thought she wanted to say something