Chapter 4The Car Full of the Dead
About 1,986 characters (~353 words) — this is Chapter 4, the last of the 4 free chapters on EditWrx Reads.
What else could I say?
I had been screaming that my family was alive, but to them, I was just a madman.
We drove in agonizing silence until we reached my hometown.
When we turned onto my street, my heart plummeted into my stomach. The entire block was barricaded with yellow crime scene tape. Neighbors clustered in tight groups, whispering. Flashing lights painted the suburban houses in a sickening neon glow.
This wasn't a prank. Joshua didn't have the money or the brains to stage something this massive.
Carter opened the door and hauled me out. "Let's go. Take a look."
He treated me like a suspect being walked to the gallows. It made my skin crawl. I planted my feet and refused to move.
Desperate, I dialed my mom's number one last time.
Before it even connected, my phone buzzed. It was her.
I answered it so fast I almost dropped the device. "Mom! Where are you?"
"We pulled over at the rest stop to wait for you. Did you honestly think we'd just abandon you on the highway? But seriously, Harry, what is wrong with you today?"
Tears blurred my vision. I shoved the phone toward Carter. "Listen! Detective, listen to her! It's my mom!"
Carter narrowed his eyes and took the phone, hitting the speaker button.
But the line was completely dead. Silence.
Before I could comprehend what just happened, Joshua broke through the police line and sprinted toward me.
His eyes were swollen red, his whole body violently shaking.
"I told you not to come back! Why are you here? You're going to get yourself killed!"
Carter stepped between us, his gaze locking onto Joshua. "What exactly do you mean by that? Sounds like you know something we don't."
Joshua threw his hands up defensively. "I don't know anything, Detective! I swear! I'm just terrified that Harry crossed the wrong people and they came for payback."
"What makes you say that?" Carter pressed.
"It's just a guess," Joshua stammered. "Harry made a ton of money recently. You don't get that rich without stepping on a few toes. Right, Harry?"