They nodded knowingly and I backed out of the line, made my way to the corner of the intersection that the Chicken Shack sat on, and waited impatiently for Eammon to show up. He didn’t. And that was a problem.

Sarge did, and a spill of anxiety spiked through me as he rolled up. I stared at him, knowing that he’d been the one to hurt Luke, but not sure anyone would believe me. “Where is Eammon?”

“He’s an old man, too lazy to come get you himself,” he muttered. “Come on, he’s back at the Hollows.”

I didn’t want to get on with him. But I needed a ride.

Old age and treachery, here I come.

I cleared my throat. “Look, I promised him some chicken, and I’m just waiting for my number to be called. Let me go get it.” I turned my back on him and hurried toward the Chicken Shack, limping in a way that required no acting skills. I stopped and rubbed at my lower back. “Sarge, I’m so sore. Will you go in and get it? It’s under my name.” I dug in my purse and found an old receipt for something I’d purchased a week ago.

He sighed. “Yeah, sure, but only if I can get a bite of the chicken too.” He grinned at me, and I winked up at him. Damn, I still wanted to like him, to believe that he was a good guy.

“You can have all the chicken you want,” I said.

Whistling, he strode toward the line and then pushed his way into the door.

Now came the fun part. I’d ridden a few bikes in my life, so I knew the logistics of getting one going. But this was a big bike, meant for a big man.

And I was about to steal it.

I straddled the bike, pushed my bag over my hip, and started the engine. It let out a satisfying rumble, and I carefully released the clutch and turned the throttle.

The bike shot forward and I squeaked as I got my balance—barely—and shot down the street. I had no doubt that Sarge would be running after me in a matter of seconds. Which was why I ran three stop signs—telling myself it wasn’t because I couldn’t stop, but because I was in a hurry and didn’t want Sarge to catch up to me. I drove as fast as I dared, not worrying about anything but getting to the Hollows as quickly as possible.

Eammon, I had to get to Eammon. I had to believe he would help me once I explained everything.

Twenty of the most harrowing minutes of my life later, I pulled into the graveyard, shooting down the path that I’d left not all that long ago.