Josh sucked in the last drag of the cigarette pressed between his lips. The end glowed orange, then he blew out the smoke and flicked the butt out the window.
Great to see you’re alive and well, Detective McCord. It’s been some time since we’ve been face-to-face, but I haven’t forgotten the promise I made to you just before they cuffed me and threw me in the back of the police car. You might not remember much since I whipped your ass pretty good, but I said you hadn’t seen the last of me and that you’d pay in the end. Looks like I get to live up to my promise, thanks to good behavior and overcrowding.
When Jesse drove past his rental car, Josh ducked and watched out the side mirror. As soon as the detective reached the stop sign, Josh sat up, pressed the ignition button, and made a U-turn.
Couldn’t see what you were doing in the garage for so long, but it looks like a canoe trip is in your future. No time to go out now since it’ll be dark in a few hours. Maybe a weekend getaway? Sounds like a blast to me.
Staying several car lengths behind the dark-red Explorer, Josh settled in with a full tank of gas, a prepaid cell phone with a charger, and five hundred dollars in cash he’d weaseled out of his uncle. He’d grabbed three cheeseburgers, two orders of fries, and a large soda at the drive-through before reaching Jesse’s house, which turned out to be a smart move. He had no idea how far they were going, but he was set on food until tomorrow, and gas shouldn’t be a problem. He was sure the Explorer would run dry long before the rented Corolla would.