Chapter 32
by admin on Dec.21, 2009, under Chapter 32
Chapter 32
“911,” said the operator. “What is your emergency?”
“I need the Savannah Police right now,” Sharon shouted into Mike’s cell phone.
“Where?”
“Savannah. Georgia.”
“Ma’am, this is the Cuyahoga County dispatch in Cleveland, Ohio. Who are you trying to call?”
Shit! Mike’s cell phone was based in Cleveland, and the service probably didn’t care she was calling from a completely different area code.
The green Ram closed behind her and smashed into her bumper.
“I am in Savannah, Georgia,” said Sharon. “I’m being chased by a pair of gun-wielding psychos with no way to shoot back. Yikes!” She swerved just in time to avoid taking out a tourist trolley coming off one of the squares. “I need the Savannah Police right now!”
“Ma’am, I’m not sure what it is you want me to do. We’re in Cleveland. You say you’re in Savannah? Why do I have a 330 area code?”
“Because I’m on a fucking cell phone!”
“Could you call the Savannah dispatch?”
“I’m being shot at. I don’t have time to… Shit!” She swerved around a bus and clipped a small Korean sedan while trying to right the Tahoe. “I can’t even stop to let traffic through!”
“One moment please.”
Years later, though probably less than thirty seconds in real time, someone else came on the line. “911. What is your emergency?”
“Do I have Savannah finally?”
“This is Chatham County.”
“Listen very carefully. I’m one of the people you’re looking for in that theft.” Before she could say any more, her rear window shattered.
***
The deputy pulled into the WSVN lot. Ahead stood Bishop Hewson, two priests, a TV crew, and several deputies and Savannah cops surrounding two guys in handcuffs.
“What’s going on?” asked Stan as they skidded to a stop.
The deputy got out and opened the rear driver’s side door. He took Stan by his good arm. “Let’s go.”
Stan noticed the deputy now had a gun out. “What gives?”
The deputy led him over to the other prisoners, then cuffed him to a nearby fence post. “If this guy gives you too much trouble, shoot him. Orders from the Sheriff himself.”
“Who is he?” said one of the Savannah cops.
“He’s the guy that drove that SUV off the Tallmadge Bridge earlier.” The deputy jumped back in his car, fired up his siren and lights, and tore out of the lot.
Stan watched as the cameramen fell all over themselves trying to get a shot of it.
The blonde reporter stood smiling with her hands on her hips. “I’m going to get a fucking Emmy.”
Stan didn’t bother to see what the bishop’s reaction was.
***
Mike and the Savannah cop, Officer Tyson, waited for traffic to clear before they crossed to the studio. Mike offered to be cuffed, but Tyson didn’t seem to think he needed it.
As they were about to step into the alley leading back to the studio parking lot, a light blue Chevy blew into the lot, nearly clipping Mike. Mike couldn’t see much, only that someone vaguely Hispanic in a suit had driven the car.
