Free The Twelve Stones by Rj Johnson Page A

needed work. Alex grasped the keys out of the cup holder and put them into the ignition.
    The two men hadn’t walked far down the road, so when they heard their truck start up and the lights come on, they turned back to see who was stealing their Suburban .
    Alex threw the stolen vehicle into gear and pushed the accelerator to the floor, the car fishtailing slightly as it struggled to find traction on the loose desert soil. Great plumes of dirt flew out behind the Suburban as it beat a path out and away from the two construction workers.
    The two men , dumbfounded at the turn of their luck , dropped the two poles they were carrying as they watched their ride take off into the desert night. The smaller man handed the radio he was carrying to his friend.
    “ I’m gonna let you call this in.”
    The burly man scowled as he grabbed the radio away from his smaller companion. He dialed a few numbers and clicked the side.
    “ Mr. Tate, we ’ve uhh, got a problem.”

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Alex pushed the accelerator as fast as he dared on the dark and poorly maintained Joshua Tree dirt roads. He kept the lights off as he raced away from Kline and company in the stolen Suburban.
    Alex had to find a main road and get on it. With every second Alex spent away from civilization, it was another second his father’s murderers had to catch up with him and finish the job they started.
    Along with finding a road, Alex knew he had to find the police. Looking at the dashboard, he found the on-board navigation. After he tapped a few keys , the pleasant female voice came through the Suburban’s speakers.
    “Where would you like to go today?”
    “Police Station.” Alex called out.
    “Searching.” The computer accessed the hard drive full of maps and directions. “Joshua Tree Sheriff's Station, computing directions now. Take next left hand turn.”
    Going to the police was a risky proposition for Alex , considering the scary people who were out there looking for him, but Alex figured that there wasn't anyone in Joshua Tree who knew anyone looking for him. He’d talk to the sheriff, raise hell, and then disappear once he knew his father’s body was recovered by the authorities. The revenge could come later; he had plenty of resources set aside for just that sort of occasion.
    Gritting his teeth, Alex urged the Suburban faster, the truck bouncing violently over the uneven surface of the dirt road. He hunkered down , his knuckles turn ing whiter as he held tight onto the steering wheel, aiming for the paved highway road, hoping he would make it there before the men chasing him got to him first.

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    Kline sat in the hermetically sealed trailer that had been specially designed by his firm. The office had been specifically designed so that he could have it towed to any location on earth, either by a helicopter, or more conventionally , on the back of semi truck trailer. The truck hauling his trailer had rumbled to a stop only moments after Kline and company had landed. He had locked himself in the trailer , insisting that he not be troubled by anyone. Geoffrey Tate did not like disobeying his boss ’s orders , but in situations such as these, there was little choice.
    The billionaire was lost in concentration , and almost didn’t hear Tate cough politely , announcing his presence. Annoyed, Kline brushed some dirt off the plans in front of him and acknowledged Tate's second cough.
    “What is it , Mr. Tate?” Kline asked, not bothering to lift his eyes from the papers on his desk.
    “We may have a situation, sir.”
    “Situation?” Kline deemed it appropriate now to raise his head and look his number two in the eyes. “What seems to be the problem?”
    “Apparently , one of our Suburbans was stolen from two of our workers out in the desert where they were building the perimeter fence.”
    “So? Probably some migrant workers passing through the area , and the two idiots didn’t lock up.” Kline shook his