What Happened to the Bennetts(87)
Flossie grimaced. “This is for you?”
“Yes. They think I killed somebody, but Milo framed me for it.”
“Dude, you’re a lot.”
“Tell me about it.” I tried to smile, but it came out shakier than I hoped.
“You okay?” Flossie softened, cocking her head, and I didn’t know how to answer.
“Will you just hide me, please? I’m begging you. Call Tony. He’ll remember me. We talked at the diner.”
“I don’t have his cell.”
“What about the CB?” I gestured to the CB radio.
“The range is only ten miles. Tony drives the middle of the state. I won’t get an answer fast enough. There’s an app, but I’m old school.”
“Then please, trust me. Get me through this roadblock.”
Flossie thought it over, patting Manny. “How are you going to get to Philly?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“That where your wife and kid is?”
“I think so.”
Flossie hesitated, her gaze searching mine.
“Please, help me. I swear, I’m just a dad, trying to keep my family alive.”
Flossie gestured behind her. “Okay, get in back. You’ll see my bed. Keep quiet.”
“Thank you.” I scrambled between the seats and climbed into the back, which was roomy enough for a single mattress with flowered sheets, a pink coverlet, and two pillows. At the head and foot of the bed were cubbyholes that held a laptop, a row of paperback books, and a phone charger. A second bed, also cushioned, was folded flush with the back wall.
Flossie put the truck into gear, and I got under the covers and pulled them over my head. We lurched forward, the massive engine rumbling loudly. In the next minute, I felt little footsteps walking on my arm and opened the covers.
Jack slipped under the coverlet, made a circle, and curled up next to my body, placing one paw over the other daintily. I didn’t know what to do but cuddle the dog, which soothed my nerves.
The truck stopped, its brakes squeaking. I heard troopers talking outside. Flossie gave the truck gas, then braked.
We were getting closer. The troopers sounded louder, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. We inched forward, stop and go. I tried to stay calm. It felt like forever.
Finally I heard a trooper say, “Hello, Miss, how are you doing today?”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
“I’m just fine, Trooper Davis,” Flossie said, and Manny began to bark. “Please don’t get too close. He’s not friendly.”
“Attack Chihuahua, eh?”
“For real, yes.” Flossie snorted. Manny kept barking. I noticed she didn’t tell him to hush. I tried to listen.
“License and registration, please.”
“Here we go. What seems to be the problem?”
“This you? Flossie Bergstrom?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Here we go, Miss. You may take this back.”
“Thank you. So what’s going on?”
“We’re looking for a Caucasian male. He looks like this. Have you seen him?” I heard a paper rustle.
“Wow. Is he single?”
The trooper chuckled. “He was last seen driving a black Tahoe, 2020. You see a vehicle fitting that description?”
“Only about a hundred a day.” Flossie snorted. Manny barked louder.
“If you see one with this man driving or otherwise behaving in a suspicious manner, please call 911 or the tipline on this sheet.”
“Will do.”
“Do not approach him. He’s armed and dangerous.”
“Trooper Davis, please back up. He bites.”
“How many dogs you got?”
“Three.”
“I only see two.”
I gulped.
Flossie said quickly, “Third one’s in the back. He’s blind.”
“Quite an animal lover, eh?”
“They’re the only people worth knowing.”
“Thank you, Miss. Move along.”
* * *
—
“Jason, the coast is clear,” Flossie called back, and I took off the covers, brushed mud from the damp sheets, and climbed into the passenger seat with Jack. The little dog resettled into my lap, crossing his paws with their cute brown toenails.
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s okay.”
“Sorry about your sheets.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Flossie handed me the flyer, her expression grave. “I gather this is the Before picture.”
I took the flyer, which read HOMICIDE SUSPECT at the top, above have you seen this man? Underneath was a photo of me from my website, as if from another life. I was beaming, with a full head of hair, proud and happy in my best gray suit and silk tie, standing in my gorgeous new conference room. The caption was my name and birth date. I didn’t have to remind myself who took the photo. Lucinda.
My gaze dropped to the text:
Delaware State police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Jason Bennett, a Caucasian male, age 47, 6′3″, medium build, a resident of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Bennett is sought for questioning regarding the intentional murder of a man in Lenape, Delaware. The victim has not been identified, pending notification of next of kin.