Dead and Gone by Jack Patterson (universal ebook reader .TXT) 📕

“Jessica, I’m afraid you’re making a big mistake. They’re not going to find anything because there’s nothing to be found.”

The steady beat reported by Jessica’s heart monitor quickened. “I’m sure you’re going to make sure that’s the case, aren’t you?”

“I hope you’re not trying to suggest that I can control NASCAR, because let me assure you that no one can. I want the truth too, but the truth is it was an accident. And anything else that continues to challenge those findings does nothing but weaken our team and our brand.”

“I knew it. That’s all you care about is that stupid race team of yours and your sacred brand and marketing opportunities. You don’t care that one of the greatest men I’ve ever known died in one of your cars less than a week ago. And here you are with the gall to try to buy my silence.”

Davis chuckled. “One of the greatest men you’ve ever known? You need to get out some, Jessica. He wasn’t who you thought he was.”

“I lived with him. I know what kind of man he was. And you better watch your mouth.”

“Did he tell you about his gambling debts?”

Jessica didn’t flinch.

“Oh, so you knew. Did he tell you how much he owed? Because I can tell you that it was a lot. He used to get visits from some guys that I had to get extra security for because they roughed him up one night.”

She put her hands over her ears. “Enough. Get out, now!”

Davis started walking backward toward the door. “What? I thought you were determined to get the truth out? Maybe it’ll all come out. Who knows?”

Jessica picked up a bottle of orange juice next to her beside and flung it at Davis. He slipped out just before it crashed against the door.

He took a deep breath and strode down the hall.

Nobody turns down my money. Nobody.

CHAPTER 32

CAL WIPED THE SWEAT streaming down his face off with his sleeve and peeked over his shoulder. The two men remained in full pursuit, eyes locked on him. Cal sprinted toward a tram stop where a tram began its departure.

Another truck pulled out in front of the tram, causing a slight delay. It was the break Cal needed. He hurdled the chain latched across the left side of the tram that served as a minor safety device—and slid into his seat. The conductor scowled but said nothing as the tram began moving forward.

Cal glanced over his shoulder. The two men continued racing toward the tram.

“Friends of yours?” the conductor in the back asked as he observed Cal’s nervous looks at the fast-approaching men.

Cal shrugged and returned his gaze forward.

The tram rolled down a hill and under the track, headed for the next stop outside the raceway entrance.

As the tram approached the next stop, Cal didn’t wait for it to stop moving. He leaped over the chain and landed on his feet. He shot a quick look behind him and saw the two men still in pursuit.

Cal navigated the congested area outside the stadium. Fans had begun to arrive for the Xfinity Series race early that afternoon. They awaited entrance to the stadium, moving like a listless tide. It created a challenging obstacle for Cal.

He pushed his way through as efficiently—and as politely—as possible. He knew the fun-going crowd could transform into a mob in seconds if he knocked over a small child or an elderly lady. When he broke into a small clearing, he looked behind him to see the men peering above the crowd, scanning for him.

Cal continued to head for a walkway that served as a safe perimeter for fans to circumnavigate the stadium. However, it was fenced in on both sides almost the entire way around, devoid of almost any getaway exits for over a half-mile. But it was the only way Cal saw to maintain his lead and avoid attracting unwanted attention.

“Cal Murphy! You look like you need a pair of sneakers and gym shorts movin’ like that.”

Cal turned to his right in the direction of the airy voice with a Southern twang. It was Alayna French, sitting in a golf cart with one of her corporate sponsors.

“Hi, Alayna. What are you doing out here?” Cal asked as he looked over his shoulders at the two men closing in.

“We’re goin’ to the pre-race concert. Need a lift?”

Cal jumped into the seat. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Alayna launched into full promotion mode, jamming nearly every corporate sponsor that supported her driver into a quick description of what she was doing that day. Cal sensed she was fishing for a commitment to show up for at least one of the events. He tried to act interested despite focusing on the men who hadn’t stopped running after him.

“They never quit, do they?” he muttered under his breath.

Alayna stopped. “What was that? You’ll be there after the race? Is that what you said?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cal answered. “Sounds good. Can you let me out here? I’ll see you then.”

The driver slowed down and Cal jumped out and headed straight for RV city. If ever there was a place to get lost, this was it.

As he peered over the rise, RVs and campers covered what seemed like at least a couple hundred acres. He hustled toward the entrance, checking over his shoulder once more to notice the men no more than a couple hundred yards away.

He disappeared into RV city and began to search for a more permanent place to hide. With a few moments to catch his breath, Cal thought a clearer mind might help him plot a way back unharmed. He’d been so focused on escaping that he hadn’t thought to look for an officer. He decided that if he could find a location to hide in for a few hours, he could re-emerge and alert the on-site law enforcement to what was happening. It was the best plan he could think of on the fly.

Cal