Depraved 2 by Bryan Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

each direction down the lightly traveled road, but none of them were law enforcement vehicles. Still, she couldn’t afford to linger in this spot long.
    Her father cleared his throat. “I’ve been talking to some of my people and I’m already up to speed on your situation. Things are happening fast.”
    “Whatever you’ve heard is bullshit.”
    “I figured as much.”
    “I’ve been set up. Those pictures are bullshit, too. This bitch drugged me and--”
    “Honey, I know all that. I don’t need an explanation.”
    An abrupt welling of tears blurred Jessica’s vision. “What am I supposed to do? I feel like I’ve got a target painted on my back driving around in this big red bitch.”
    “Switch cars now. And don’t let yourself be apprehended. Avoid that at all fucking costs.”
    “Is it really that bad?”
    “It’s worse.”
    Shit.
    “This is all about what happened in Kabul, as I’m sure you’ve guessed.” A bit of the gruffness left Captain Sloan’s voice. “I’m working some angles on this. I think I can get on top of the situation and maybe even make it go away, but until I’m sure of that I need you to get someplace safe and stay out of sight.”
    Jessica sat up straighter behind the wheel. “Okay.”
    “I’m hanging up. We’ve talked too long already. Good luck, baby. I love you.”
    “I love--”
    The line clicked dead. Jessica missed the sound of her father’s voice as soon as it was gone. Talking with him never failed to comfort her, even in the absolute worst of times, but he had done the right thing by ending the call so abruptly. Doing hard but necessary things had long been part of the retired officer’s job description. She pictured him grimly hitting the disconnect button and felt a surge of intense love for the man.
    But she couldn’t allow herself to get caught up in emotion. Her father was taking care of things as best he could from his end. She owed it to him to do her part to the best of her ability. Getting rid of the burner phone would be a good start. So she pulled out its battery and tossed it out of the car.
    She was reaching for the ignition key when she glanced at the rearview mirror and saw an old brown pickup truck. It was slowing down and pulling in behind her. The door on the driver’s side began to open. Jessica grabbed her stuff and got out of the Falcon. She was moving and thinking fast, energized by the talk with her father. She was halfway to the truck by the time its driver had fully emerged. He was a youngish guy with a lean build and scruffy brown hair. That was good. Guys were easier to manipulate.
    She put on her brightest, most dazzling smile, which she was certain would still be pretty damn effective even in her somewhat haggard state. “Hi! My car died on me. Do you think you could give me a ride?”
    The guy leaned to one side to peer past her at the Falcon. She moved closer, invading his personal space. The aim was to distract him with her body. His gaze stayed on the Falcon long enough to make her think he might be gay, though that didn’t seem likely. He was too much the stereotypical redneck straight dude. Still, appearances could be deceiving. She was relieved when he stopped looking at her car and glanced at her breasts.
    “I could take a look at it for you.” He grinned in an affable way. Despite the peek at her boobs, he projected a palpable decent guy vibe. A pity. “I’m a mechanic.”
    Jessica reached out and touched the man’s arm. “That’s really not necessary. That old bitch has been on her last legs forever.” A bald-faced lie—the Falcon was very old, but it had been impeccably restored and was in top condition. “I should have known better than to take her out again. I appreciate your offer, but what I really need is a ride.”
    She gave his arm a squeeze.
    He glanced at her hand before looking her in the eye again. “I could give you a ride, no problem. I’m actually on my way in to work. I could call ahead and