The car passed. It was a sheriff’s vehicle. The deputy looked at Spud as she passed, her speed slowing a touch. Spud turned on his blinker to go left, waited a second, and then made the turn.

He looked into his rearview to see the squad car brake lights flash. Spud now saw the No Trespassing sign nailed to the tree.

Son of a bitch.

He locked in his cruise control exactly at the speed limit. He gripped the wheel with both hands to keep even between the lines. The squad car pulled to the shoulder and made a U-turn.

Crap! Crap! Crap!

Had she seen Pip? Was there another problem? His tags were up-to-date. His lights all worked. Was she really going to pull him over for stopping on that trail? For all she knew, he had just been turning around.

The highway ran for three miles before his turn to go north. He began debating whether he would make that turn. He couldn’t lead the deputy to the shack. That was their hideaway. But if she pulled him over—and found Pip—he would have no need for a hideaway. The game would be over. He’d go to prison.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

His mind flooded with panic, but he kept the car steady and calm. Amid all the noise in his head he could hear Reed yell, You should have stuck to the plan.

Two miles to his turn.

The deputy had nearly caught up to him. Her lights weren’t on yet. Maybe she was just curious or bored. Or maybe Reed had been wrong about them closing the investigation. Spud looked around for a weapon. She would have a gun, but he would have the element of surprise. There was a screwdriver beneath his seat. He had put it there the previous winter because his trunk would freeze shut. He could stab her in the neck. Drag her body into the woods and ditch her car.

He looked at Pip in the backseat, humming to himself as he watched the trees go by. Damn it. He couldn’t kill anyone in front of Pip.

One mile to go.

If Spud hit the gas, could he outrun her? His car was probably no faster than hers, and she knew the roads. Besides, she could call for backup. He was screwed. He glanced at the mirror without tipping his head up—he didn’t want her to know that he was looking. She was right behind him.

He rounded a curve and saw his turn. Take it or not?

He hit his signal and tapped the brakes. Behind him, she slowed, but didn’t indicate a turn. He slowed more, easing onto the northbound road. She also slowed, almost to a stop. Then he saw her vehicle turn—but it didn’t head north. Instead, she made another U-turn and headed back toward Grand Rapids.

Spud realized that he had been holding his breath. He felt dizzy with relief. In the back, Pip played with the drawstrings of his coat’s hood.