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

toward him. “You’ll know soon enough.”

All eyes reverted back to Cal. “Go ahead, Holmes. Why don’t you tell them?”

Holmes swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

“Really? No idea? I have surveillance footage that says otherwise.”

Holmes’ eyes widened. “Footage of what? I didn’t do anything.”

“I could tell you about it—but I’ll just show you.” Cal opened his laptop and turned it around so everyone could see the screen.

Gasps emanated from the small circle of onlookers as images of Jackson Holmes using a blowtorch to heat what appeared to be a return spring in a suspicious manner.

Davis feigned outrage. “Is this true, Holmes?”

Holmes hung his head. “I never meant for anyone to get hurt.”

Dirt recoiled and went to punch Holmes before Ross grabbed him from behind and pulled him back. “I oughta tear you apart right here,” Dirt growled.

Cal closed his computer and shook his head. “When I saw that, I had to ask myself why? Why would anyone want to kill their driver—or perhaps just sabotage their car?”

Holmes’ eyes narrowed and cheeks turned crimson. “Carson Tanner was a murderer! He deserved it!”

“You’ve gone from you didn’t mean for anyone to get hurt to Carson Tanner deserved to die in about five seconds. Want to tell everyone here why you did it—or should I?”

Holmes stood up. “I want a lawyer.”

“Sounds like a good move on your part because based on all this, you’re going to need one,” Simpson said.

Plimpton turned toward Davis. “In light of these facts, we’re going to suspend your team until we can do a further investigation into what role Jackson Holmes played in Carson Tanner’s accident last week.”

Beaumont ran up to Plimpton. “You can’t do that! This is my shot.”

Plimpton shook his head. “If you’re good enough, son, you’ll get another shot somewhere else. But it isn’t going to happen today.”

Beaumont turned toward Cal and walked in his direction. He pointed his finger at Cal as he spoke. “This is all your fault. If you hadn’t been so hell-bent on bringing down this team, maybe we’d be racing in an hour.”

Cal smiled. “Relax, Beaumont. I may have just saved your life, even though I understand your frustration since I doubt you’ll ever get a shot on this level again after everything you’ve done comes out too. And I hate that for you. You really had potential to be a great driver.”

Beaumont made a run Cal, who’d turned around and begun walking back to the media center.

Pop!

Cal spun around to see Beaumont flat on his back with Dirt standing over him, fist still clenched.

Dirt tipped his cap to Cal. “Thanks. I had to hit somebody after all this.”

Cal nodded and continued toward the media center. He looked at the cameraman who’d followed him. “Did you get all that?”

“Sure did. Are we done yet?”

Cal took a deep breath. “You are—once you get that aired. I’ve still got plenty of work to do.”

CHAPTER 55

CAL SAT IN HIS CHAIR at the media center and pounded out the breaking news. Rick Plimpton gave Cal a quote to add to his story, a story destined to win him an award for spot news reporting.

He called Folsom to tell him all the gory details as he posted the article to the paper’s website. Less than thirty seconds later, he tweeted out the link. One minute later, his phone blew up with text messages.

Cal called Jessica. “It’s done.”

“I know,” she said. “I just got a call from them. They’re on their way.”

“Good luck. You’ll do great.”

He hung up and scrolled through his text messages, most of which were congratulating him on the scoop.

If they only knew …

Then he stopped. It was a message from Owen Burns. Burns called several minutes before while Cal was finishing his story and he sent it to voicemail.

Please tell me you got the message

And then another one:

I need your help!

Cal texted him back:

Where are you?

Then the reply:

RV City. I’m texting you my location on GPS.

Then another text:

Hurry. Bring the cops. They’re after me.

Cal stared out at the track, bustling with activity for the pre-race pageantry.

Who’s after you?

He shoved his phone in his pocket and caught a tram to exit the infield. He hopped off and walked another four hundred yards against the flow of the crowd until he reached the next tram stop.

As he stood in line, he noticed a sheriff’s deputy nearby. The deputy approached him. “Cal Murphy?”

“Yes?” Cal said.

“I’m Deputy Hewes from District 2. I saw you this morning down at the office. How’s your day going?”

Cal sighed. “Terrible and wonderful—all at the same time.”

“Any way I can help you?”

“As a matter of fact, there is. I’ve got a friend in trouble right now who needs me. He said someone is after him and to bring some law enforcement. You definitely qualify.”

The deputy furrowed his brow. “Do you know what this is about?”

“It’s got something to do with a story that I just broke, I think. People didn’t want this story to get out—but it has.”

“Where’s your friend?”

“I’m trying to find him now. Join me.”

The tram pulled up to the stop. Moments later, Cal was riding next to Hewes headed into the heart of RV city. He explained to the deputy what had just happened and what he thought was going on. The deputy scribbled down a few notes on his pad.

Cal pulled out his phone and tried to find Burns’ location.

Hewes leaned over and looked at Cal’s phone. “Got anything yet?”

“Not yet.” A pause. “Oh, wait. Right here. We need to get off at the next stop.”

Cal didn’t wait for the tram to stop before he hurdled the safety chain and ran in the direction of Burns’ location. He checked over his shoulder to see Hewes was following after him, radioing for more assistance.

As Cal ran down one of the main thoroughfares, he turned right and saw Burns. With blood oozing from several cuts on his face and a tattered shirt, Burns struggled to