The Boot (Book 1)

Chapter Seven

LUCY

Something was off with Tim, but I couldn't quite place what. Nonetheless, I was getting stir crazy from just sitting around here, waiting for him to come home so I could bug him until he told me the truth. I think he thinks I believe him, but I don't. Clearly, there's more going on here than he chooses to admit.

I can't take the suspense anymore, so I decide to go for a drive to clear my mind. Tamara isn't home right now as she is hanging out with some friends, but just in case she, or frankly even Tim, came back home before I did, I decided to leave a note. I find a pad of paper and a pen, pausing momentarily as I think about what to write. Eventually, I've got an idea, and flick the cap off of the pen before pressing it down onto the paper.

Hey, I'm just writing this note in case one of you comes home before I do. I was getting a little anxious and stir crazy so I decided to go for a drive to clear my head and just get out of the house. I don't know how long I'll be, but I don't imagine it'll take any longer than, like, an hour. I'm just going to go for a quick drive, I'll be back soon.

- Lucy

I grab a magnet and attatch the note to the fridge. I nod to myself before grabbing my phone, wallet, and keys then head out the door. I leave our apartment and make my way a few spots down to where my car is parked on the side of the street. I unlock it and climb into the drivers seat, closing the door behind me as I put my keys into the ignition and turn.

As I'm driving, I have the slightest offset feeling, but no clue why. I had nothing to base it off of, so I just figured it was some form of pregnancy related nausea. So, I disregarded the feeling and just kept driving. I make it about a dozen blocks before I start to notice a grey SUV with tinted windows following me. It looks like an older model. If I'm being honest, I'm not even sure they still manufature those anymore.

I wonder if it's just a coincidence. I momentarily consider just driving back home, where I feel safe, but the cop in me knows that's pretty much the worst thing I could possibly do in a situation like this. Besides, like I thought earlier, it could be a coincidence, which also happens to seem like the most likely scenario.

I decide to play it safe and just keep driving. I don't want to risk it. Besides, maybe it is all just a coincidence. There's only one way to find out, I suppose. I start to take a series of random turns, not going anywhere in particular. Eventually, I come to the unfortunate conclusion that I am indeed being followed. I shakily unlock my phone at the stoplight and call Tim. But he doesn't answer. Taking a deep breath, I leave a voicemail.

"Tim, I'm scared. I went on a drive to clear my head but I'm pretty positive I'm being followed. I'm nearing the intersection of Kings Street and 3rd. Call me when you get this."

I go to end the call, right as the light turns green and I start to drive again, but moments before I can press the button, at the exact moment I was in the middle of the intersection, the car behind me speeds up. While I'm distracted momentarily, I don't even have time to process as I am not only struck from behind, but a car from the intersecting street starts driving directly at me, hitting me at the exact same moment as the other one. Everything goes dark.

TIM

No. No. Shit. No! "Damnit!" I yell. It didn't take me long to figure exactly what this 'A' meant through his twisted words. Lucy's in danger. This whole thing was just a diversion. As much as I want to ensure that Nolan, Bailey and their kid are okay, I know that they would want me to go after Lucy and our babies. Which is what I want too. I find solace in knowing that wherever Nolan and Bailey are, they wouldn't be mad at me for putting Lucy first.

My phone pings and I pull it out of my pocket, unlocking it to find a voicemail from Lucy. I exhale in relief. She's okay. She's alive. I bet she was just craving something and wanted me to pick it up on my way home. I press the button to listen to the voicemail. But I can tell immediately that somethings off. Even from the way she was breathing at the very beginning of the recording.