Chapter 1
The sun rose high over the California highway, shedding its merciless light over the black top. Waves of sweltering heat erupted from the asphalt and the Mustang purred through them as it neared its destination. Rose Theroux was at the wheel. She pressed the gas pedal to the floor with a foot formed of lead.
Mere moments ago, she had received a phone call that had sent her rocketing toward Stockton, California. The call had been from her mother, Dixie Mason, and it concerned the welfare of her step-brother, Ty. Ty had sustained injuries from a vicious beating and was now hospitalized at St. Luke’s General. Dixie was there to see him as was Ty’s twin brother, Tab. The only one missing from the family reunion was Rose.
The speedometer needle climbed steadily but she paid it little heed. She was focused on the gut wrenching feeling she would experience if anything happened to Ty.
Rose shook her head and began to grind her teeth. She had warned Ty years ago that the life he had chosen was a dangerous one and that he should get out as soon as he could. Apparently, her warning hadn’t come soon enough.
A large curve loomed in the road ahead of her. Rose let up on the gas but, as she exited the bend, she accelerated again.
An unwelcome siren blare caused her to jump in her seat. She hadn’t seen the cruiser when she had passed the side road, but he had apparently seen her. Cursing under her breath, she switched to the brake pedal and brought the car to a rolling stop at the side of the highway.
The California Highway Patrolman opened his car door and approached the car, gravel crunching under his boots. Rose dug through her purse and withdrew the necessary identification.
The CHiP made a “roll down the window motion” and she did so with the touch of a button. The Mustang’s power window slowly dropped.
“If I show you my boobs, will you let me off with a warning?” she asked, grinning up into the man’s face.
The patrolman removed his sunglasses and grinned back. “I thought that was you, Rose. What’s the hurry?”
“My step-brother is in the hospital, Chris. I have to get there as soon as possible.”
“Ty or Tab?”
“Ty. Mom says he was beaten pretty bad. She didn’t tell me anything else.”
“Is he still with the Jesters?”
“Yes. Wish I could say he wasn’t.”
Chris shook his head. “What a waste. That guy could have been a rocket scientist. Tab still with him?”
“When are twins ever apart?”
“They’re going to get themselves killed one day.”
“I know.” She bit her lip.
Chris waved a finger at her. “I’ll let your infraction go this time, but you had better keep it under seventy all the way into town. If I catch you again, I’ll cite you.”
“Thanks, Chris,” she said. “Are you coming in this week?”
“I can’t. Apparently, it’s unbecoming for Highway Patrolman to frequent a topless bar.”
“Daisy will be disappointed.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
“Damn.”
“I’ll let her know you were thinking about her. Maybe she’ll work something out.”
“Yeah. Do that. And, remember to keep it under seventy.” He strode back to his cruiser.
Rose replaced her I.D. and waited until Chris drove away. Then she pulled back onto the road. Chris had gone in the opposite direction and didn’t see her when the needle touched eighty-five.
