Free Third Half by P. R. Garlick Page A

to get the registration from the glove box. 
                  "Stay low," was all he had time to say before the officer came to the car.
                  "What you got in there?" the officer asked.
                  "Not sure – like I said, it's my father-in-law's car," Ronaldo replied.
                  Liane swallowed hard, hoping the officer would not check for himself.  If he did, it would put an end to her search for her brother.  Maybe even an end to her freedom. Just as she heard the sound of the back car door opening another voice sounded close by.
                  "Yoh! Jake," a man called.  "They're calling you on your radio."
                  The officer seemed to be gone an eternity.  Liane was beginning to get claustrophobic beneath the thick blanket.  Add to that the combined smell of perspiration, acrid smoke, and something equally unpleasant she must have stepped in.  She was beginning to feel sick.
                  "Looks like you can go." The officer's voice came again from beside the car.  "Just got confirmation on that car you saw leaving."
                  "Sister, are you in some kind of trouble?" Ronaldo asked when they were safely back on the highway and he had pulled to the side so she could get back into the front seat.  "If you are, maybe I can help."
                  "Thank you, Ronaldo," she said as she turned to the young Puerto Rican man beside her.  "You have already helped more than you'll ever know.  There's only one person who can give me the answers I need now."   
                  "Yes Sister, then you want to be dropped at the church when we return to the city?"
                  "The church?" She looked puzzled.  "Oh, no, the convent will be fine." She realized again, that as a nun he had taken for granted she would pray for her answers.
                  "Sister," Ronaldo said, gently shaking her until she awakened. "We're back now."
                  "Oh . . ." She sat up, surprised that she had dozed.  The last she remembered, she was trying to sort out all the things she had learned, and wondering what it all meant. 
                  "Thank you, Ronaldo.  It hardly seems adequate after all that you did tonight." She took out the money she had promised him, feeling she owed him so much more.  "And you remember to speak to Manuel about that job."
                  "Yes, Sister, as I promised I would."  He smiled.   "I always keep my word.  Didn't I prove that tonight?"
                  "Yes, you certainly did," she replied, shivering at the thought of how close she could have been to being apprehended by the police.  "I also will keep my word and pray for all of you.  Although I'm certain things will be much better soon."
                  "And I hope things will be better for you too, Sister," Ronaldo said with sincerity.  "I have a feeling you may need prayers even more than we do."
     

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
                  Stealing her way into the building, she was careful to close the door gently before turning to head down the long, dimly lit corridor to her room.  Just by luck she made it there without being noticed.  She knew she not only looked a frightful sight, she smelled like one.  All she wanted to do now was take a bath and get ready for bed.
                  She slipped into the communal bathroom, wishing she could add some scented bubbles to the hot water, feeling she deserved the treat after all she had been through that night.  But of course, she knew better.  Nuns would hardly have a supply of that sort of luxury.
                  She sighed and slid into the water, allowing the heat to relax her aching muscles.  Her long hair was tied on the top of her head, but she released it, knowing it also needed