Chapter 19

Michael

The engine has barely started to cool as I slam into my car and get her revving up again. As I push my foot hard to the floor and peel out of the underground, I slap my phone into the cradle and wake the screen.

“You hear me, chief?”

The phone flashes obligingly, “I hear you, doc. Any favor under the sun for you. I almost bought my ticket that night, but I’m out here catching crime because of you.”

I can’t stifle my laugh. “Yeah, well, I think you do better at this than as target practice. Where are they?”

“We have units closing in. I’ll send it to your GPS. The roads are blocked, thanks to our pal, the mayor.”

Another laugh from me. Quite a bit harder this time. “Yeah, well, he owes me. His wang was six different colors after Bangkok.”

My pal the police chief guffaws back at me. “Yet another story that we can’t share. Well, not outside the poker ring anyway.”

“I told you I’ll take your money anytime you want to give it to me. You got those details?”

“Sending it now, doc.”

My phone flashes, and as I tear the car around the turns in the almost deserted streets, I take in the flashing display. The map shows a helpful green line…from me to Stella.

I push the car even harder, roaring through the streets.

I only feel like this in surgery. Like the world is in my hands, and I’m going to remake it. There is literally nothing I can’t do.

I am going to punish this fucker.

One eye on the phone screen and one on the road, I push the car. I am now within the road block, and the streets are empty. My phone crackles.

“You there, doc?”

I smile. “I never thought I’d hear that voice again. Didn’t you become a mercenary?”

“Not on a public channel, anyway. I’m in sniping position. The old lady’s doing fine, by the way.”

This old war dog is a softie little momma’s boy, not that he would let his buddies know that. They guy cried like a child when I came out of surgery and told him his mom would be fine.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“I’m above the police road block. I can see you on the scope. You’re almost behind him. Take the next right.”

“On it.” I swerve the car as my GPS pings.

“I can’t fire. There’s no clear shot. He’s driving like a wild man. I might hit her.”

“You can see her? Is she okay?” I hear the edge in my own voice.

Terror. Heard it so many times in the hospital. Never understood it.

Until now.

“She seems fine. Even if I can get a clear shot at him, he might spin the car. Catch up to them. Squeeze him in. The road block is right in front of you.”

“I see it.”

I do. I can see the whirling red and blue out ahead. Not far in front of me is the car.

Hot little sports car, very fast, but it doesn’t have the power to compete with my car, which I prove by slamming my foot down again, the car growling as the nose comes up level with the bumper.

“Can you hear me, chief?” I stab the phone, switching channels.

“I hear you, doc.”

“He’s not slowing down.”

“I can see that. We aren’t going anywhere, doc. We have heavy vehicles and spikes down. He’s fucked.”

“But what if—”

Just then, the psycho floors it, pointing the nose of his shitty little car to the left. I swerve, trying to get my own car under control, but she’s somewhat heavier than psycho kidnapper’s piece of crap.

Just as I start to even out, the fucker pulls his car the opposite direction. I hear the hum of the sissy little engine as he floors it. Shit!

The piece of shit little car goes straight over the spikes and swerves madly around the road block. I follow, recklessly pushing the car and hitting a few spikes as I follow him around the road block.

The bridge! Fuck!

He loses control of the car, and I can see him fighting against it as I do the same. I put my foot down as the motherfucker comes out of serious spin and floors it.

Right at the bridge rail.

Stella must be screaming. All I can discern of her through the window of the car is a flash of frightened eyes and a sweep of gold hair.

But then her voice rings out across the night, and I feel an utter calm slide over me as I feel the wheel slip between my fingers and as I, with complete satisfaction, slam my foot to the floor.

Understanding causality, cause, and effect, as well as an ability to follow events through to a natural conclusion make me an excellent surgeon. These intellectual skills also tell me that I am going to hit that shitty little sports car right on the driver’s side.

He can’t see it—he can’t even see the fucking rail he’s about to drive over. My engine roars as I bear down on them. I see his eyes whip towards me as he suddenly realizes his predicament.

I watch as my beast absolutely wrecks the fuck out of the other car. The impact is hell, but I’m braced for it, foot down, hands gripping the wheel. I keep shoving until my car finally revs out and clunks, smoke pouring from under the hood.

I push out my mangled door and run around the other car. I grabbing the twisted metal on the passenger’s side and tear it open with all my strength.

All this, and now, I’m afraid to look.

“Michael!” she gasps.

Then her arms are around my neck, the sweet skin of her neck against my lips, her hair flowing all around me.

“Stella.” It comes out like a prayer.

Then my arms around her, cradling her, stroking her.

“I thought I would never see you again!” she sobs into my neck. I push her back, look into her eyes, wipe a tear with my thumb.

“Baby, I’m always gonna come for you. I’m never gonna leave you alone ever again.”

Tearful, fierce Stella touches my face. “I love you, Michael. I really fucking do, you know that?”

The sirens and the lights draw near. All the good fellas of the city are here to clean up the mess. I’m looking into her eyes, and I know it’s true.

A massive smile breaks over my face. I have never felt so free.

“Stella… I love you, too.”

She sinks in to me, and I wrap my arms around her, breathing in her scent. “And I always will.”