The Lost Scroll of Fudo Shin by Jon F. Merz Read Free Book Online Page A

could use to its advantage.
    He saw a sign ahead that showed an alternative route to the airport and nearby he spotted a small building with a group of what looked like employees smoking out in back.
    There.
    He slowed down, glanced over his shoulder and saw that the Escalade hadn't yet found him.
    Was there enough time?
    He pulled over toward the smokers and got off the bike.  Then he unscrewed the gas cap and reached under his shirt, yanking hard on the T-shirt he wore.  A thin strip ripped off and he jammed this into the open gas tank.
    I hate to do this, he thought.  But then he heard the sound of the Escalade engine a street away.
    No time.
    Keeping his helmet on, he looked at one of the smokers.  "Got a light?"
    The smoker, a guy of perhaps twenty-eight nodded.  "Sure man."  He handed Jimmy his lighter.
    "Thanks."  Jimmy turned back to the Ducati.  He had to time this just right and he prayed it would work.  He'd seen it a few times in the movies, but he had no clue if it was possible.
    The Escalade's engine roared again as it turned onto the street.  They'd spotted him.
    But Jimmy knelt as if he was having trouble with the bike.  The thin strip of his T-shirt dangled of the bike.  He patted the motorcycle affectionately.
    His heart kept pounding.  All of his instincts screamed at him to run.
    Not just yet.
    He flicked the lighter to life and saw the orange flame lick at the strip of cloth coming from the gas tank.
    He heard one of the smokers behind him cough.  "Hey, man, what the hell are you doing?"
    Now...
    Jimmy tossed the lighter back to the smoker.  "I'd head inside now if I were you."
    They didn't need to be told twice, scattering and then one of them shouted at Jimmy.  "Look out!"
    Jimmy glanced back and saw the Escalade bearing down on him.  They were going for it.  Now he turned and backed away, keeping the Ducati between the Escalade and him.
    He counted off in his mind.
    Five.
    Four.
    Three.
    Two.
    RUN!
    Jimmy turned and bolted away from the Ducati.  He heard the Escalade coming for him, prayed it worked and then he heard the boom and felt the concussion wave slam into him as the motorcycle exploded directly in front of the Escalade.
    Jimmy risked a look back and saw the Escalade trying to avoid the blazing bike by going around it but the driver must have jerked on the wheel too hard.  The Escalade flipped over and came down with a shuddering crash.
    Jimmy grinned and then ran around the corner.
    Now he had to get to the airport.
    In a recessed doorway, he peeled off the motorcycle helmet and then ducked back on to the sidewalk.  Already, he could hear sirens in the distance zooming toward the fiery scene.  He wouldn't have much time before the place was crawling with cops all looking for the guy who'd driven the bike.
    But luckily for him, he hadn't let the witnesses see his face.  They had no idea he was only fourteen.  With any luck, the cops would look for someone older than Jimmy.
    Still, he didn't want to hang around any longer than necessary.
    Ahead of him, he spotted a bus stop and saw the airport shuttle sign.  As he approached, a green bus rolled up and Jimmy hopped on.  The driver eyed him.  "Two bucks."
    Jimmy put a fearful expression on his face.  "Two guys back there just mugged me and took my wallet.  I'm supposed to meet my mother at the airport."
    The driver sighed and then thumbed toward the back.  "It's all right, kid.  Sit down back there."
    Ten minutes later, they came into the airport proper.  Jimmy kept an eye out for the long-term parking garage and when he saw it, he hopped off the bus, thanking the driver when he did so.
    Outside, the roar of jets taking off and landing was almost deafening.  But he'd made it to the airport.
    Barely.
    He glanced around and then saw the entrance to the parking garage.  Vanessa had mentioned that someone would be there to meet him, but where would that meeting take place?
    Jimmy frowned and thought about where he