The rain had slacked off, thankfully, only a light mist falling now. Jake slipped the hood of his windbreaker over his head and hurried to the front of the car. He raised the trucks hood and looked inside.
The serpentine belt was hanging loose, snapped in two.
He uttered a low curse, wishing hed taken his brother J.D.s advice and packed extra belts for the journey. But J.D. was a control freakwho ever listened to his advice about things? He was the kind of guy whod pack a parka for a trip to Florida, just in case another ice age hit unexpectedly while he was there.
He closed the hood and pulled out his cell phone, but his phone couldnt find a signal. They were in the middle of nowhere, thick, piney woods flanking them on both sides. Hed taken a side road rather than the main thoroughfare, which was still clogged with traffic in and out of Buckley. He wasnt sure there were even any houses within a square mile.
What is it? Mariah joined him in front of the truck.
Belt broke.
What do we do now?
Jake was about to suggest walking back to Buckley, but the sound of an approaching vehicle distracted him. He saw a white van coming up the road toward them. We flag down this van and see if he can take us into town.
He started waving at the van, which slowed as it came nearer. A mild glare off the windshield obscured the driver until the van was nearly on them.
It was Victor, the man from the tornado zone.
Mariahs fingers closed around Jakes arm, digging in. Lets just walk
He looked away from Victor to Mariah, who was gazing up at him with wide, terrified eyes. What is it? he asked.
You folks need a ride? Victor called out. Jake saw Mariahs gaze shift behind him. Her face blanched white.
He turned, following her gaze, and saw Victor Logan standing in the open side doorway of the van, arm outstretched. In his hand, Victor held a large black Smith & Wesson semiautomatic, its barrel leveled with the center of Jakes forehead.
Let me rephrase, Victor said, his voice cold and steady. Get in the van or Ill kill you.