Christmas on the Lam by Stang Ann

Author:Stang, Ann
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-21T00:00:00+00:00

23

We drove two blocks at top speed. “Take a left there!” I pointed toward a municipal parking garage just as the stoplight changed to yellow.

Rhett didn’t hesitate. The light was already red as we went through. A guy coming from the right, anticipating a green light, didn’t slow down. He screeched to a halt, missing us by inches.

“Yikes! In here.”

He steered the Jeep up the ramp, grabbed a ticket, and we disappeared into the dim multitiered garage. He drove up several levels and parked between two large vehicles.

I leaned back but couldn’t relax. “That was way too close!”

“No more restaurants for you.” His finger went back and forth like a windshield wiper.

“No. I wouldn’t dare.” I examined myself in the visor mirror. “I thought my disguise fooled people.”

“Yeah. Well, it did until it didn’t.”

I couldn’t argue with that logic. We sat there without saying anything for a few minutes. I forced myself to calm down and breathe.

“We can’t stay here, you know.”

“We can’t?”

The light was so dim I could barely see Rhett shake his head. “Street cameras probably caught us coming in.”

“Let’s go. We should check Heath and Brent’s alibi anyway.”

He rubbed his forehead. “Yeah, about that. Do you know the worst place for you right now?”

“Jail?”

“Okay, the second worst.”

“The mansion?”

“Third.”

“The TV station?”

“The TV station,” he repeated. “In fact, you shouldn’t be within blocks of it.”

“To be honest, after the Pizza Branch incident, I already decided to retire from public life.”

“Great. How about I drop you at your room and get a real pizza? I’ll talk to Heath and Brent’s coworkers after that.”

While Rhett picked up food, I removed the stifling wig, shook my head, and let my hair tumble down freely. What a relief to get that off and let my head breathe!

Studying my reflection in the mirror, I frowned. I wasn’t used to seeing myself so colorless. I finished applying foundation and blush as Rhett came in with the pizza.

I washed my hands and grabbed a slice, careful to examine it before taking a bite.

Rhett had already finished his first piece. “When pigs fly.”

“What’ll happen then?”

He shook his head. “That’s the name of the pizza. Ham, bacon, Italian sausage, and pepperoni.”

I nodded my approval and gave it a thumbs up. “Now that’s a pizza!” I said after swallowing. “I’ve been rethinking the plan. I should be fine coming along to the station as long as I stay in the car, and we park a block or so away.”

“Not like that. You look too good.” He paused. “I mean, too much like yourself.”

I smiled and went to wash off my makeup and put the wig back on.

It didn’t take long to get to the TV station. He parked on a side street, headed for the station, and called me a few minutes later. “I’m going in,” he whispered.

“You sound like a secret agent,” I whispered back and started humming, “Secret Agent Man.”

“I feel like one. Unfortunately, I should feel like a lawyer.”

“You do that convincingly, too.”

“I’m really going in now.

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