Ticket to Die by Elaine Calloway

Author:Elaine Calloway [Calloway, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal suspense, ghost story, haunted
Publisher: Elaine Calloway
Published: 2015-11-07T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Jake shone his flashlight on the misshapen metal of the first derailed car on the roller coaster train. This would have been the car to take the hardest hits, based on the insurance investigation’s reconstruction of the trajectory as the coaster flew off the tracks.

The critical bolt assemblies on all three wheel types had been bashed in from the derailment. He couldn’t see any threads, no part of the shank or hexagonal bolt head. The head was where the grade markings were. If cheap equipment had been used, he would know once he could find a decent bolt to examine.

Checking the second car, he found the same result.

One of these damn cars had to have some evidence. Right?

He tried the third. The upstop wheels were missing some hardware, but the guide wheels on the side of the car had a few bolts intact. Taking out his cell, he snapped a few photos. He would need Amanda’s macro lens for clearer images. Hell, he needed her, even if her behavior alarmed him lately. But he couldn’t let his mind wander now…

On the road wheels, the hex head bolts looked like they’d survived the carnage. Perfect. This was his chance to determine the validity of the bolt. Not to mention the road wheels were the easiest to access since they were on the top. He wouldn’t have to turn over any of the cars to analyze them. Not yet, anyway.

He rubbed his thumb over the steel head, wiping off dust and dirt. Numerous scratches and some flaky substance covered the hex head. Jake leaned in closer, needing to know the difference between existing markings and standard wear and tear.

Then he counted at least three markings. Sign of a Grade Five bolt, not up to standard for roller coasters. Would they really have been so stupid as to use cheap equipment?

He took the bottom edge of his T-shirt and rubbed and polished the bolt more. Ah. Now he could see there were six lines on the hex head. They had used Grade Eight Premium bolts and stainless steel safety wire. Whatever accusations had been made in the Randall Kern lawsuit, these bolts were premium grade, and the safety wire remained intact. No foul play on equipment.

Damn. What had caused the derailment? Looked like he needed to turn over the cars after all, get a closer look at the upstop wheels.

“Hey, anyone in there?” a loud voice bellowed.

Jake’s breath caught in his throat. The voice had been male, definitely not Amanda’s.

“Abandon County sheriff,” the man said again. “Speak up if you’re inside.”

“Yes, sir,” Jake said, keeping his voice as calm as he could. Why would the sheriff be here at this time of evening?

“Come out, please.”

Jake snapped a few more photos of the proof of Grade Eight premium bolts, then stood up and slowly exited the car storage area.

A rotund man wearing a tan shirt and navy pants stood about ten feet away. Gripping Amanda’s arm. Her pupils had dilated so much, the black had pushed away any sign of her hazel coloring.

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