Page 272 of Rangers Last Promise

“Why?”

“Because the fire is a distraction.”

A deputy shouts from the road.

The black pickup abandoned near the feed store rolls out of the darkness.

No headlights.

No driver visible.

It gathers speed on the slope.

Heading directly toward the cellar.

“Move!” I shout.

Rangers scatter.

Deputies dive behind vehicles.

I grab Mara and pull her toward the concrete retaining wall.

She twists in my arms.

“Carson’s ambulance!”

The paramedics are still loading him.

The driverless truck barrels toward them.

Trigger runs into the road.

He raises his rifle.

Three shots crack.

The windshield bursts.

Nothing changes.

“There’s nobody inside!” he yells.

The accelerator has been jammed.

The truck keeps coming.

Wolf reaches the ambulance first.

He climbs through the open driver’s door and throws it into gear.

The ambulance lurches forward.

Carson’s stretcher isn’t locked.

It rolls toward the rear doors.

Mara breaks away from me.