“Where are you?” Aunt Kate asked. “I pulled the potatoes out of the oven already. Did Mrs. Notham keep you again?”
“I’m having car trouble,” Ann lied. “And I don’t know if I’ll be able to get home until late.”
“Good lord child. What a night for this to happen.”
“I’ll be fine. Gary’s on his way with his tow truck. He said he’d take a quick look. If he can’t fix it tonight he’ll give me a lift home. Are you going to be okay? Are the cats inside?”
“They all came in when it started to rain. I fed them dinner and now they’re sleeping next to the stove. What a lazy bunch they are.”
“Do you have a flashlight in case we lose power?”
“Yes. I’ve got that little one in my pocket. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”
“I’ve got help on the way auntie. Don’t worry about me.”
“Well be sure to call if something else comes up. Promise me you won’t go out if the wind gets bad. Just stay where you are until it passes over.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t go out. I love you.”
“Love you too dear.”
Ann hung up and dialed 911. She’d talked to the dispatcher at the sheriff’s office. The dispatcher seemed unimpressed by Ann’s story. After making her wait for close to ten minutes in the cold booth, she finally cut in and told Ann that Mitch and the sheriff had their hands full with a jackknifed log truck on the highway near Buoy City. It would be some time before they headed back.
“Who did you talk to?” Ann asked.
“Excuse me?” said dispatcher. Her voice came across surly and cigarette-cured.
“Did you talk to Mitch? Did you tell him about what happened at his house?”
“No, I talked to the sheriff. He said that Mitch was busy. Said he’d pass along the message though.”
“I don’t think you understand how important this is. I asked you to talk to Mitch. I think his wife might be in trouble.”
“Honey I did what I could. Now I’ve got other people to take of. It’s a crazy night out there if you haven’t noticed.”
Ann hung up and returned to her car. The back of her jacket was soaked through and her teeth were chattering by the time the heat came on. She couldn’t go home, not now. If her aunt found out what had happened the strain might be too much on her heart. Ann started the car and headed in the direction of Buoy. Rain was coming down so hard that it no longer seemed like rain but heavy wet fists falling from the sky. The wipers fought to keep the highway from being obliterated. It was stupid of her to be out on the road during a storm like this. A rock slide or a downed tree could take her out in a flash, not to mention a tourist unfamiliar with the road. But if they can’t come to me, I’ll go to them. Mitch needs to know what I saw.