Chase, page 22
Unseen by any of them, the dog watched. Silent now. The hairs on its back standing almost upright.
FIFTY-SEVEN
The office walls were decorated with posters of everything from makes of tyre, engine oil and brake pads to the latest stars of WWF.
There was a large desk to the rear of the room behind which was seated a blonde woman in a black t-shirt and faded jeans. The bottom of the jeans were tucked into a pair of cowboy boots that made her feet look enormous. As David, Amy and the girl walked in, the woman got to her feet, beamed a welcoming smile and ushered them in as if she was inviting them in to the foyer of a five star hotel.
‘Hi, how are you doing?’ she said. ‘My name is Ashlynn Young. I hope my husband and my boy are taking care of you. Do you want coffee? Maybe a soda for your daughter?’
Amy smiled and nodded.
‘Are you guys on vacation?’ the woman asked.
It was David’s turn to nod. He looked appraisingly at the woman and thought that, when she was younger she must have been a very attractive woman. She was still striking now, despite the fact she looked tired, her skin pale and washed out despite the heavy make-up she wore.
‘Where are you heading?’ Ashlynn Young wanted to know, handing out the drinks.
‘We’re just driving,’ David told her, taking the drink. ‘Enjoying the country.’
‘Are you enjoying yourself, sweetie?’ said Ashlynn, ducking down so she was looking directly into the girl’s eyes. When the girl didn’t answer she reached out a hand towards her.
The girl recoiled.
‘I won’t bite,’ the woman laughed.
‘She thought your dog was going to,’ David said. ‘He wouldn’t stop growling.’
‘Don’t take no notice of him,’ said Ashlynn. ‘He’s friendly enough but he’s a good guard dog.’
‘He ran off behind the office,’ Amy explained.
‘His kennel’s back there,’ the woman informed them. ‘The restrooms are back there too if you need to use them before you leave.’
‘We probably will,’ David offered.
‘How long have you had this garage?’ Amy asked, anxious, it seemed to repay the friendliness that the blonde woman was showing.
‘Almost fifteen years,’ Ashlynn told her. ‘My husband used to be a speedway rider but he had a bad accident and he bought this place with the insurance money he got.’
‘Does your son like helping?’ Amy wanted to know.
‘Well, boys like to be around their fathers at that age don’t they?’ the blonde woman smiled. ‘Children need to be with their parents when they’re growing up.’
Amy nodded.
‘I bet you like having your girl around you don’t you?’ Ashlynn Young went on.
Amy nodded again, this time almost imperceptibly. She pulled the girl closer to her and squeezed her shoulder.
‘Do you like having your mommy close, sweetie?’ the blonde woman said, leaning towards the girl who promptly took a step back. The woman stood up and looked at Amy. ‘Are you planning to have any more?’
Amy looked at David then shook her head.
‘We haven’t thought about it,’ Amy told her.
‘What about you?’ David interjected, coming to his wife’s rescue. ‘Are you sticking with one?’
‘We’ve got another one at home,’ Ashlynn told him. ‘He’s only seven. About the same age as your daughter. My sister looks after him. She’s got two of her own the same age.’
David crossed to the large picture window at the front of the office and glanced out. Young and his son were standing close to the RV pointing at the rear of the vehicle. The big man turned, saw David watching them and waved good-naturedly. Almost in spite of himself, David waved back. He watched as Young turned and strode back towards the office.
‘What happened to your back window?’ he asked as he walked in.
‘We don’t know,’ David told him, glancing furtively at Amy. ‘We didn’t see the damage until we got back. Kids probably.’
‘Well we don’t carry replacements for that model of RV but I figured we could tape a windscreen across the gap then at least you’ll still be able to see out the back.’
‘That’ll be great,’ David told him.
‘Where did you guys say you were headed?’ Young asked, conversationally as he searched for something in the drawer of the desk on the far side of the room.
‘Just driving,’ David told him. ‘Seeing the sites.’
‘But you must be going somewhere,’ Young persisted.
‘The Rockies are beautiful at this time of the year,’ Ashlynn added.
‘Are we close?’ Amy enquired.
‘You’re almost into the foothills,’ the blonde woman told her. ‘There are some beautiful spots. You could just park the RV and enjoy them.’
‘Are there any wild animals we need to worry about?’ Amy wanted to know.
‘There used to be bears even low down in the foot hills but they’re going to be more frightened of you than you are of them,’ Young told them.
‘I wouldn’t count on it,’ David said, trying to force a smile.
‘How dangerous are they?’ Amy wanted to know.
‘Well,’ Young said, sighing. ‘There used to be grizzlies in these parts but no one’s seen a grizzly bear around here for more than forty years. There are brown bears and black bears but as long as you stay clear of them you’ll be fine. They’re pretty shy.’
David nodded slowly but then, as Amy glanced at him she wondered why his face suddenly looked so pale.
For some reason he had suddenly begun to think about the shotgun lying in the cab of the RV. What if Young or his son saw it? David tried to swallow but his throat was dry. His heart was beating faster against his ribs as he tried to remember if the Remington was in view to anyone walking around the vehicle. He was sure it wasn’t. But, even so, his heart continued to race.
FIFTY-EIGHT
It was just over an hour before Young and his son came back into the office, both of them looking pleased with themselves.
Young had a list of repairs that they’d carried out and he detailed these as David watched and listening, the big man explaining what had been done in each case and telling David the cost.
‘I think we’ll use the restrooms while you’re finishing up,’ Amy said and, accompanied by the girl, she headed out of the office around the side of the building in the direction Ashlynn had indicated earlier.
‘Your daughter’s a beautiful girl,’ Ashlynn intoned, watching the child intently.
Amy felt herself blushing. Surprised at her own reaction to the comment but wondering if that particular reaction was attributable to something she could not identify. Your daughter. The words stuck in her mind like a splinter.
David glanced in her direction as she and the girl left the office, his attention drawn back again swiftly to Young and his inventory.
‘Do you want to take a look before you drive off?’ the big man asked. ‘Make sure you’re satisfied?’
‘No, that’s ok,’ David said. ‘I’m sure the work you and your son have done is fine.’ He dug in his pocket for a credit card and handed it to Young. As he turned he noticed that the garage owner’s son was gazing intently at him but he thought nothing of it. He tried to dismiss the stares of Ashlynn too but, when they continued to gaze at him he began to feel uncomfortable. Only when Young returned his card to him did he succeed in breaking the spell. The unwavering glances of the remainder of the Young clan however remained fixed on him. David wondered if he should say something but he tried to convince himself that his paranoia was somehow getting the better of him. All the same, he was hoping that Amy and the girl would return quickly from the rest rooms. He suddenly wanted to be away from here.
‘What’s her name?’ Ashlynn asked, her gaze still fixed on him.
David looked blank.
‘Your daughter,’ the blonde woman went on. ‘You didn’t tell us her name.’
He hesitated.
‘Daisy,’ he muttered. Then, a little more loudly, more authoritatively. ‘Her name’s Daisy.’
‘She doesn’t look like you,’ Ashlynn went on.
‘Well, not all kids look like their parents do they?’ David said, none too convincingly.
‘Most do,’ Young added. ‘She doesn’t look like either of you.’
David had no answer.
Well she wouldn’t look like you or Amy would she? You have no idea who she looks like or where the hell she came from, do you? She’s a complete stranger.
David walked towards the door of the office, pulling the keys from his pocket.
A complete stranger.
‘Thanks very much for your help,’ he said.
No one answered. All three members of the Young family were still gazing at him. David hesitated a moment longer then left without glancing back. He feared if he did he would see the whole family glued to the window watching him.
As he strode across the tarmac towards the RV he saw two other vehicles pulling into the forecourt. Both stopped but kept their engines running, the drivers looking in his direction. Judging by the amount of fumes belching from the exhaust of the green station wagon, David thought that the driver had left it longer than he should have to visit the garage for repairs. He smiled thinly to himself and tried to drive the thought from his mind that the drivers of both the station wagon and the red pick-up truck were still staring at him.
Weren’t they?
David shook his head and swiftly opened the RV door, clambering inside.
They’re not looking at you. Get a grip.
Sliding behind the steering wheel of the RV he started the engine, never even thinking to inspect the work that Young and his son had completed. It suddenly didn’t seem so important. From where he sat he could still see the green station wagon and the red pick-up. He glanced across the tarmac wishing that Amy would hurry up.
When he saw her a moment later he wondered why she was alone. There was no sign of the girl.
‘What the fuck...’ David murmured.
Amy climbed into the RV and settled herself in the passenger seat.
‘Where is she?’ David snapped.
‘She wanted to go to the toilet,’ Amy explained. “I didn't want to leave her alone with everything that's going on but she didn't want me to stay.”
‘How do you know?’ he rasped. ‘She never fucking speaks.’
Amy looked at him with irritation in her eyes.
‘She wanted a bit of privacy, David,’ she told him. ‘She didn’t have to tell me. I’m not stupid. I can still remember what it was like with Daisy you know.’
He nodded.
‘I wish she’d hurry up,’ he went on, his gaze still fixed on the two vehicles parked on the garage forecourt. ‘We need to get moving again.’
Amy glanced at him again and saw that his gaze was fixed on the green station wagon and the red pick-up. She glanced at them herself then back at her husband who was tapping agitatedly on the steering wheel.
‘Go and check on her,’ David urged.
‘She’s on her way,’ Amy said, quietly.
‘How do you know that? You don’t know anything about her?’
Amy shot him an angry glance.
‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ she wanted to know.
‘I just want to get out of here,’ he snapped.
‘And we will, as soon as she comes back,’ Amy told him.
Again David glanced at the station wagon, his fingers beating out an agitated tattoo on the steering wheel.
FIFTY-NINE
When he finally caught sight of the girl walking unhurriedly across the forecourt, David let out a gasp of relief.
‘About time,’ he murmured under his breath.
Amy shot him an angry glance and got to her feet, crossing to the door of the RV to help the girl when she approached it. Amy had the door open before she knocked and the girl smiled happily up at her as she stepped into the vehicle.
‘Are you all right?’ Amy asked, putting an arm around her shoulders.
The girl nodded.
David stepped a little too hard on the accelerator, almost causing them both to overbalance. He guided the RV out onto the road, glancing again in the wing mirror to gauge the whereabouts of the green station wagon and red pick-up that had so obsessed him. As he pressed harder on the accelerator he saw neither and for that he was thankful.
‘Where were you?’ he called to the girl. ‘We wanted to get moving.’ the girl didn’t answer but merely moved closer to Amy who held her tightly and looked down at her.
‘It’s OK,’ she said, soothingly. ‘You’re here now, that’s all that matters.’
The girl held her and nodded.
As Amy looked down again she frowned, her attention caught by the girl’s hands. There was something dark on her fingertips and Amy could see that it was blood. She knelt beside the girl, inspecting the stained digits more carefully.
‘What happened?’ she asked, holding one of the girls hands up.
The girl merely shook her head.
‘What is it?’ David called.
‘I think she cut herself,’ Amy told him.
The girl nodded.
Amy bustled through to the bathroom at the rear of the RV and pulled the girl gently with her. She filled the sink and pushed the girl’s hands into the cool, clear water, watching as she rubbed them enthusiastically, the spots of blood coming off easily. The girl smiled and wiped her hands on a towel. Amy ruffled her hair and smiled back.
‘Do you need a plaster?’ she asked but the girl shook her head.
It was then that the first impact came.
Something slammed into the rear of the RV so violently that Amy was knocked off her feet by the collision. She toppled helplessly against the wall of the vehicle, the scream of the girl echoing in her ears.
‘David,’ she called, frantically. ‘What’s happening?’
The impact came again. This time to the side of the RV and even more thunderous than the first one. The vehicle skidded sideways, the scream of spinning tyres mingling with the roar of the engine. Amy grabbed for the girl and pulled her close, trying to protect her and wondering what the hell was happening. Had they hit something? Or, more to the point, had something hit them?
She scrambled towards the passenger seat and saw the fear and rage etched on her husband’s face.
‘He ran into us,’ David snarled.
‘Who?’ Amy wanted to know.
‘There’s a green car behind us. I saw it back at the garage. I think it’s been following us.’
‘Why?’
‘How the hell do I know?’
There was another impact and David gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to maintain control of the vehicle. Amy shot a terrified glance out of the side window and saw the green station wagon swing out into the other lane. From where she was she couldn’t see the driver’s face.
‘What’s wrong with him?’ she snarled, holding as tight as she could to the passenger seat as the station wagon swerved towards them again.
David pushed his foot down hard on the accelerator, trying to guide the RV away, to keep it clear of the next impact. The engine roared but he couldn’t coax enough speed from the vehicle to force it away and the station wagon clipped the rear of the RV. It skidded and Amy wondered if it was going to tip over but David drove on, perspiration beading on his face.
He turned the wheel and sent the RV cutting across the other vehicle. The driver slammed on his brakes to avoid the collision and the green station wagon skidded across the road, smoke rising from its tyres as it left black smears of rubber on the tarmac beneath it. David’s eyes were blazing, wide with fear and anger as he looked again towards the green car, trying to see what it was going to do next.
‘Can’t you get off the road?’ Amy snapped, steadying herself as the car hurtled towards them again.
‘Where?’ David demanded. ‘Where am I going to go?’
The car slammed into them again.
In the rear of the RV the girl screamed.
‘Make sure she’s all right,’ David shouted, hunched over the steering wheel but hooking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the terrified girl.
Amy got to her feet, steadying herself against the walls of the RV as she rose, watching fearfully for the next onslaught of the green car. It was only seconds before it came.
There was a shriek of what sounded like buckling metal as the station wagon smashed into the RV once more.
Amy hurried across to the cowering girl who was looking out of a side window towards the offending vehicle. Amy grabbed her and held her tightly.
‘Oh Jesus,’ David suddenly gasped, glancing in the wing mirror.
Speeding up behind them was the red pick-up truck he’d seen at the garage.
It was coming at a ferocious pace, aimed at the RV as surely as if it had been fired from a gun. Like a huge red projectile, it hurtled along the road, the driver intent on barrelling right through the RV. At the same time, the green station wagon prepared to swing into them once again.
David gripped the wheel more tightly and waited.
‘Hold tight,’ he roared.
The double impact was seconds away.
And David knew there was only one thing left to do.
SIXTY
‘Take the wheel.’
Amy heard his frantic shout and looked at him almost incredulously.
‘Now,’ David snarled, still gripping the steering wheel but easing himself from the driver’s seat. His eyes were wide, bulging in the sockets as if pushed from inside and Amy wasn’t about to argue with him. She slid into the driver’s seat and grabbed the wheel, pressing her foot down immediately on the accelerator.
‘Just keep going as fast as you can,’ David told her, squeezing her shoulder and moving behind her.
She realized that he was reaching for the shotgun.
‘What are you going to do?’ Amy wanted to know.
