Free Identity Crisis (Rocky Mountain Novella Series) by Rory Chambers Page A

could show up at any time.  Kristen took a deep breath and scanned the area.  She didn’t see any movements at all, which was good.  If she couldn’t tell there were officers hidden throughout the woods, than neither could Jason. 
         The large hand on her watch hit the twelve.  It was two o’ clock.  Kristen felt like she would throw up.  She wanted so much to talk to Steel.  Just hearing his voice would do a world to calm her down, but she couldn’t risk saying anything.  Jason could be anywhere, watching her.  If he saw her mouth move, he would suspect something was up. 
         Steel gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.  The trunk of the car was unbearably hot, and he was beginning to get worried.  Jason was already five minutes late.  Something was wrong.  All he could think of was Kristen’s voice and how shaky it had been the last time he had heard it.  He didn’t like her being involved at all.  He could understand why she insisted on making the exchange herself, but he still didn’t like it.  He didn’t know what he would do if anything bad happened to her. 
         Kristen jumped as her phone signaled a new text.  DRIVE TO THE ATTACHED ADDRESS.  JUST YOU.  I’LL BE WATCHING THE ROAD TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE ALONE.  YOU HAVE 20 MINUTES OR YOUR FRIEND DIES.
         Kristen looked at the map image that accompanied the text.  The new address was over twenty miles away.  Without even considering any other options, she put the car in reverse and backed away from the cabin. 
         “What’s she doing?” Kawoski yelled into the radio. 
         “Kristen, what’s going on?” Steel asked at the same time. 
         “He sent me a new address that’s over twenty minutes away and if we don’t get there in less than that, he’s going to kill Julie!” she replied as she sped off down the bumpy road. 
         Steel radioed the new information to Kawoski, but there wasn’t much that could be done.  Kristen wasn’t going to not show up to save her friend, and Kawoski couldn’t send any reinforcements to help if Jason was watching the main road to the address.  Everything was in the hands of Kristen and Steel. 
         Kristen hoped there were no cops around as she pushed the car to speeds well above the posted speed limits.  She had to make up at least five minutes and the slightest thing going wrong could cost Julie her life. 
         Jason sat on the porch of the cabin with binoculars in hand.  He had a perfect view of the only road leading to the cabin.  Right on time, Kristen pulled up to the address at the bottom of the road.  He scanned the car to make sure it was really her and that she was alone.  Everything was going to plan.  When she parked, he dialed her number and waited for her to answer. 
         Kristen looked at her phone as it rang.  She didn’t recognize the number, but answered it anyways.  She felt a cold chill run down her spine as she listened to the once familiar voice give tell her to get out of the car with the money and walk up the road for one mile. 
         “I’ll be watching.  If I see anything funny, she dies,” Jason warned. 
         Steel couldn’t hear the phone call but as soon as she hung up the phone, Kristen bent down to grab the duffel bag, using that opportunity to relay what Jason had said to Steel.  She had to be quick because she didn’t know if Jason could see her lips moving from wherever he was.
         Steel wanted to stop her, but he knew Kristen wouldn’t listen.  There was nothing he could do and he felt helpless.  He was going to have to trust that Jason was just after the money and wasn’t going to hurt Julie and Kristen after he got it.
         Kristen’s legs shook as she made her way up the road.  The bag was heavy and strained her back as well.  With each step, though, she grew stronger and more determined to face Jason.  With any luck, it would be the last