Free Catchee Monkey: A Rex & Eddie Mystery (Rex & Eddie Mysteries Book 1) by Sean Cameron Page B

it.

NINE

    As Eddie drove down the lane, his focus darted between the road ahead, and the black SUV in the rear-view mirror.
    “It’s following us,” Rex said. “Five minutes and he’s still behind us. That’s following.”
    “I’m sure we’re just sharing the only road back into town.”
    “Speed up.”
    “We are not having a car chase. Get over it.”
    “Do some weird turns, and see if you lose him?”
    “There aren’t any turnings. It’s a country lane.” Eddie snapped. His agitation increased as his breathing became shallow.
    “There, turn into those houses.”
    “Fine. But only to prove to you that he’s just another driver headed to Cloisterham.”
    Eddie turned left. Both of them watched the rear-view mirror. The black SUV turned after them.
    “Ah ha!” Rex said.
    “Doesn’t prove anything.” Eddie turned right and left again. He then pulled into to an empty parking space and waited. No SUV.  
    Eddie gave a sigh of relief. “See?”
    “Damn, he’s good.”
    “Give it a rest.”
    Eddie pulled the car out and joined the main road. Within a minute they were back in town with steady traffic. The black SUV appeared behind them, a little further back this time.
    “He’s behind us again.”
    “What?” Eddie checked his rear window. There it was.
    “Told you he was good.”
    “It’s a coincidence.”
    “We stopped for a full minute, and he still managed to be behind us.”
    “Maybe he stopped for petrol or something.” Eddie put his foot down, and the Morris Minor crept towards 43 mph.
    “Speed up.”
    “This is sped up for uphill.”
    “Uphill? This is a slope.”
    Eddie thumped his foot down. The car spluttered up to 50 mph.
    Rex adjusted his glasses and checked the speedometer. “Is this thing even in the right gear?”
    “Yes, thank you.”  
    As the road evened out, the car reached 55 mph.
    “School crossing,” Rex called out.  
    A lollipop lady stepped out into the road holding a stop sign. Eddie put his foot on the brake, and a clank sound rang from beneath them.
    Eddie’s eyes widened. “That doesn’t sound healthy.”
    They were headed downhill towards the zebra crossing. The Morris Minor increased speed going 56, 57, 58 mph. Eddie honked the horn, but the stubborn lollipop lady wouldn’t budge. He held his foot down on the brake so hard his ankle spasmed. Eddie thumped the car horn, which squeaked and squealed at a higher pitch with each hit. As they headed for the crossing, he swerved into the other lane and passed the lollipop lady.  
    “That was brilliant.” Rex pumped his fist in the air.
    They both looked back to see the lollipop lady give them the finger, as the black SUV hurried past her and accelerated towards the Morris Minor.
    Honk! Honk!
    Eddie swung his head forward. They were headed towards an oncoming lorry. He pulled back into his own lane as the lorry brushed past. Its roaring engine blew hot air into Eddie’s face.
    “That was not brilliant,” Eddie said.
    “SUV’s still following us.”
    “I see that.” He shifted from third to fifth gear. The car made a noise like it cleared its throat and coasted along the street. “Uh, I think the clutch is gone.” The car came to a slow crawl as the slope flattened out. Eddie used the last of their momentum to pull the car to the curb.  
    “What are you doing?” Rex said. “He’s gonna catch us now.”
    The black SUV raced past them.
    “I guess he was just in a hurry too.”
    “Yeah, right. That’s what he wants us to think.”
    “Let’s calm down.”
    “You’re right, we need to take a moment to process our first car chase.”
    “I don’t think that counts as a car chase. It was more like, tandem speeding.”
    ***
    Eddie sat in the tow truck with his arms folded tight. He stared forward, sat between the driver and Rex.
    The stupid Morris Minor, Eddie thought, with its dodgy brakes, broken clutch, and pathetic wooden structure .
    “Left at the next light,” he said, only talking to