Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Not the first time I’ve met a source in a garage. It’s public enough to discourage overt violence but isolated enough to make it possible. It’s a definite risk, but I checked Erik out when he first contacted me with an incredible story of arson and possibly murder. I vetted him and he’s legit. But we haven’t met and I’ll be taking a chance.
“Okay, see you at ten.”
The garage is quiet, about half-filled with cars. Although the rain let up about an hour ago, water drips from the ceiling seams, tapping against hoods and pooling along the painted lines.
Having walked the two blocks from my office, I take the ramp instead of the elevator, my boots making a dull echo with my measured steps as I ascend to the next level. I have pepper spray in my jacket pocket and constantly scan my surroundings, looking for danger.
As I round the corner, I scan the last ramp to the second floor. There are about ten cars parked closest to the stairwell and one man standing beside a concrete pillar. I recognize Erik from pictures I obtained in my research.
The man is thin, early thirties maybe, and I note his eyes dart nervously around as I approach. His windbreaker hangs loose on his frame, his hands stuffed in the pockets, shoulders slightly hunched as if he’s trying to make himself smaller or less noticeable.
His jaw tightens as I approach and he shifts his weight like he’s deciding whether to bolt.
“Erik?” I ask hesitantly, and he nods.
“You came alone?” he asks, voice urgent and rough at the edges.
“Yes,” I say evenly, keeping my hands visible. “You?”
He glances past me again toward the ramp, then shakes his head. “It’s just me. No one else I can trust.”
I keep my tone even, gentle. “You said you have proof.”
He nods, eyes darting around and refusing to settle on me. “Do you believe that RainVest intentionally set fires in order to buy land cheap?”
“I believe they definitely took advantage of the price drop on properties they acquired after wildfires destroyed the timber. I don’t see arson, though.”
“The fire in Oregon two months ago,” he says, his eyes finally landing on me. It’s then he removes a hand from his jacket pocket, cradling a flash drive. “That’s the one where a pair of campers died. I knew I couldn’t keep quiet after that.”
This was the reason he reached out to me to begin with. He knew his employer was participating in the horrible act of setting wildfires to grab land cheaply, but when one of those fires killed… his conscience couldn’t take it anymore.
My eyes drop to the supposed proof in his hand. “And what’s on that?”
He offers it to me and I take it. “Everything you need to show that it was arson and it came down from the top dog in the company.”
I tuck the flash drive into my front pocket. “I’ll need to verify what’s on here but—”
He focuses on something past my shoulder, face draining of color. “Fuck.”
“What?” I turn, scanning the garage.
Through the concrete pillars, I see a black SUV is starting up the ramp from the first floor.
I look back to Erik, now pale as a ghost. “They found me.”
I’m dubious but his fear seems genuine. “How do you know—”
He spins on me, eyes hardened. “Follow the burn patterns and you’ll see what I’m saying is true. I’m going to lie low, but I’ll be in touch.”
“Erik, wait—”
But he’s already backing away, one step, then another. He walks straight, attempts a confident stroll up the ramp leading to the third level. The SUV turns the corner and its lights sweep over Erik. His pace quickens and my heart rate mimics his steps. I instinctively step back into the shadows, right between a concrete three-quarter wall and the stairwell door. I hold my breath as the SUV rolls forward, slow and deliberate, tires whispering over wet pavement.
Nothing aggressive, perhaps just looking for a parking spot.
Then, without warning, the engine roars.
My heart leaps into my throat as Erik freezes in place, the wash of headlights revealing the gut-wrenching fear in his eyes. The SUV surges forward, engine growling, and Erik just stands there, feet rooted to concrete.
I want to scream for him to run but I’m equally frozen, the words lodged in my throat.
It all happens so fast. The front bumper hits him hard enough to lift him off the ground, the sickening crack of bone echoing off the concrete walls. I drop down into a low crouch, scuttle sideways behind the rear of a dark sedan. Erik’s body flies through the air, landing twenty feet from where I’m hiding. I go down to my hands and knees, wanting nothing more than to flatten myself into oblivion so I won’t be found, but also understanding that I need to be able to jump and run if necessary.