Page 37 of Saving Grace

“What did I just say to you, Atticus? I asked sternly.

“Don’t curse,” he responded then said, “I’m hungry are we going to eat before we move?”

“Yes?” I answered him absentmindedly. My attention was on the rearview mirror. There was a single SUV driving a car length behind me and even though there was no chance Atticus had followed me. I still sped as I reached under my seat. My hand immediately made contact with the two Glocks I stored there. I pulled them out and laid them on the seat next to me.

I was prepared.

I waited for the SUV do something. We drove another mile. Nothing happened.

I felt we were safe.

‘Sit up AJ and put on your seat belt.” I pulled a cardigan I had left in the car over the weapons so he wouldn’t see them.

“Ok.” He followed my direction. “But you still didn’t answer my question.” He edged forward.

So many things were about to change for him. I felt like a bad momma.

“We can visit Atlanta."

I want to live there though.”

“We’ll see.”

I flicked my eyes to his in the rearview again. The SUV was still driving normally. I sped up again, just to be safe. Flashing light illuminated the dark road. I realized then the SUV belonged to the Highway Patrol.

Distracted by the lights I wasn’t watching the road in front of me.

The sound of squealing tires drew my attention. I looked away from the mirror just in time to see a black truck barreling towards us. I heard the sound of metal connect. My abdomen hit the steering wheel hard, then the airbags deployed sending me flying back into my seat. If that didn’t hurt enough, there was another explosion of pain. It started in my right leg then moved upwards. Then I was upside down.

“AJ" I used my last bit of energy to call out to my son.

“I’m okay Momma,” he answered, his voice loud and clear.

He wasn’t hurt.

Tears pricked at my eyes.

“Ma’am, are you ok?” I was questioned, then I heard someone calling in the incident. He asked for an ambulance and more officers.

I was okay with whatever happened to me as long as AJ was safe. Ms. Joyce would come for him and she knew what to do after.

My head spun, then my world started to fade away, the darker it got the more the pain intensified until I had no choice but to give into it. Just before everything went black I heard the sound of gun shots.

Atticus.

“If you didn’t take my money, who did?”

The unlucky soul strapped to an office chair said nothing, only trembled in his seat.

I repeated the question. He would only get two chances to determine what happened next.

Drowning out my subordinate’s answer the metal door directly behind me squeaked open sending a shrill sound echoing throughout the nearly empty warehouse.

Calmly I switched the 357 magnum I held in my left hand to my right. Still on edge from finding Grace and losing her yet again, my trigger finger itched to put in work. I’d shoot whoever had the fucking audacity to disturb me if they didn’t have a good reason. I straightened my spine, my lips pressed tightly together. Looking over my shoulder seeing it was Tank barely cooled my temper.

Holding his gaze as he made his way over to me I made my displeasure known. Seeing the look on my face Tank threw his hands up defensively but he kept coming towards me.