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The truck he drove was a far cry from the luxury sedan he’d babied for so long. He suspected Celia had sold it. He hadn’t seen it in her drive any of the times he’d driven by her home.
She hadn’t been a few minutes ago, either. He could tell that easily enough, even though night had fallen twenty minutes ago.
She’d been out late tonight, working at that clinic again.
He’d stayed close to her while she’d locked up the rehabilitative center, headed to Ronnie’s and grabbed Cameron, then drove to the little place she now rented.
It was a step down from the large home they’d shared in Oklahoma. She should have stayed there. Charlie had made certain the house was in her name and hers alone.
Hopefully she had made a good profit off of it. Maybe put some of the money back for Cameron’s education.
This little house she rented three blocks from the center of town was neat as a pin, at least. Lamar owned it. A smart, savvy businessman was Becky’s husband. A good man, too, who loved his children and his family.
Lamar was there for Becky every time she needed him. Same way with George and Charlie’s niece Veronica. They’d found good men.
He wished Celia had. Wished she hadn’t had to be so alone back in April.
His fault once again.
Charlie was thinking over what he could have done differently as he drove out of town toward his commandeered cabin when the truck in front of him slammed on his brakes. Before Charlie’s eyes, the big monstrosity slid straight into the back of the dump truck in front of him.
Charlie was back far enough.
He jerked his truck to the left, crossing the center line. He closed his eyes. Stupid of him, no doubt. But he couldn’t watch as he hit. Couldn’t watch as he died.
Charlie’s face slammed into the old steering wheel. His neck jerked back.
This was the way he was going to go. He wondered if his family would even bother to pay to bury him after what he had done.
He wouldn’t blame them if they didn’t.
Those were the thoughts that rushed through his mind in those split seconds before the truck stopped moving.
When he opened his eyes again he faced blackness. It took him a moment to realize it was because he was nose deep in the ditch.
His damned truck wasn’t going to be able to go anywhere.
Charlie had to get out of there. That damned Clay Addy and his people would be showing up soon.