Chapter 12 - Flashing Lights on Cold Asphalt
The second state police cruiser pulled up directly behind Eleanor's SUV, pinning the vehicle against the right-hand guardrail. Eleanor slammed on her brakes, sending smoke billowing from her tires as the heavy vehicle came to an abrupt, violent halt against the steel barrier.
Clara pulled her sedan onto the wide gravel shoulder fifty yards ahead, her hazards blinking rhythmically. Her hands were shaking so violently she could barely turn off the ignition. She immediately unbuckled, scrambled into the backseat, and pulled Lily from the car seat, pressing the crying infant tightly against her chest.
"Shh, baby, you're okay. You're okay," Clara whispered, her tears finally breaking through.
Outside, the highway was illuminated in surreal flashes of blue, red, and white. Clara watched through the tinted window as four state troopers drew their service weapons, approaching Eleanor’s SUV with tactical caution.
"Driver, turn off the engine! Place your hands outside the driver-side window immediately!" the lead trooper bellowed through a megaphone.
For a terrifying ten seconds, nothing happened. The engine of Eleanor’s SUV continued to roar. Clara held her breath, wondering if Eleanor was truly insane enough to attempt to run the roadblock.
Then, the driver’s side door cracked open.
Eleanor stepped out, her silver hair windblown, her arms raised in furious indignation rather than surrender. "Do you have any idea who I am?" she screamed over the wailing sirens. "My son is the chief surgical fellow at Saint Jude’s! That woman in the front car has abducted my granddaughter!"
A female state trooper moved in with ruthless efficiency, grabbing Eleanor’s arm and shoving her against the side of the SUV. Within seconds, Eleanor’s hands were cuffed behind her back.
Penny stumbled out of the passenger side, hands over her head, sobbing hysterically. "It was an accident! Mom didn't mean to hit her! The car slipped on the oil!"
A second trooper escorted Clara to the safety of an unmarked cruiser just as a familiar black luxury sedan pulled onto the shoulder.
David Vance stepped out into the cold night air, an unlit cigar clenched in his teeth, his briefcase in hand. He walked straight past the screaming Eleanor without even turning his head, heading directly to where Clara sat with Lily.
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"You're safe," David said quietly, placing a warm hand on Clara’s shoulder. "And Eleanor just committed aggravated vehicular assault with a minor in the vehicle. The game is over, Clara."
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