The Greener Field

The Chase

On Monday morning, Sarah ventured out to her work again, deciding to drive herself, that week. It was becoming difficult to depend on her father anymore for support without revealing to him or her mother the seriousness of her situation. Knowing that her life was constantly in danger now, neither parent would ever let her out of their sight. They were still both uncertain why she had elected to move out of her apartment, though they were perceptive enough to believe it had something to do with a relationship gone bad. How bad, she had hoped they would never know.

She was extremely careful going from the nearby parking area of Bresner's Speech and Language Center to the inside offices. She would be foolish to even slightly let down her guard, now aware that 'Derek the perv' was reported to be living somewhere nearby. A factor that gave her some comfort to this was Carrie's assurance that Iverson was presently being monitored closely '24-7' by the San Diego Police Department, and was currently the target of an imminent pedophile stake out.

When later that afternoon her cell phone rang, just before closing the office, she was even further relieved to finally hear it was Gunther Hoffmann's voice at the other end of the line. He sounded somewhat irritated, even desperate.

"Gunther?"

"Yes, it's me. . . Did Carrie inform you about the location of Iverson . . . and that he's being watched by the police?"

"Yes . . . she told me those things yesterday. Why? Said she'd be here for a few days. To monitor the situation with members of her own department. Right?"

"Yes. But the situation has gotten totally screwed up . . . and very fluid right now, Sarah."

"Fluid?"

"I'll explain. But I want you to leave your building immediately. But only when you see my vehicle in front of it. Alright?  I'm driving a dark blue Mercedes. The license plates are foreign end with 356. You'll cross the street and get in my car when you see me. Got that, Sarah?"

"Yes . . . 356 . . . But what's going on, Gunther?"

"Just come to my car when you see me pull up in several minutes, OK?"

"Alright. I'm preparing to leave right now."

She heard his phone click off.

There was a old familiar feeling of panic which was growing in Sarah as she turned off her computer and told her secretary, Katie, she would be leaving a few minutes early that day.

"Everything alright, Sarah?"

"Yeah, Kate. I just need to get home and see what's up with my parents. Got a call to get there ASAP."

"All right. Well, hopefully things will be OK."

"That's the plan."

Sarah grabbed her purse and went to the door. She carefully peeked out. She could see the Mercedes now, idling across the street and then bolted out to meet it. Walking quickly, she tried not to show the trepidation that was suddenly raging inside her. Approaching the car, she could see the windows were tinted but made sure the license ended with the numbers 356. She opened the door and looked inside. It was indeed Gunther and he seemed seriously in a hurry to leave.

Closing the door behind her, she felt the car speed away from the curb at a great speed.

"Sorry about the rush, but I needed to get you out of the area," he said.