Read Online Escape From the Badlands by Dana Mentink - Free Book Online

over closely. Devin busied himself snapping pictures of the fifty racers who talked excitedly, pointing to various elements of the course.
    Shane understood their excitement. The course offered a variety of trail conditions, from single to double track, packed dirt, grass and rock, steep climbs and heart-stopping descents. Every adrenaline junkie’s dream. His muscles tensed with anticipation.
    Chenko returned and gave them the thumbs-up. “It’s wet, but not too bad. It will give all you racing nuts an extra thrill!”
    There was a collective cheer and hooting from the group.
    “Remember now,” he cautioned, “it’s a sneak peek, a chance for you to get the feel of it. About three miles down is a turnoff that will loop back up here, so I expect to see you all in an hour. This is only the appetizer. Tomorrow is the main course.” The steel in his voice brooked no argument.
    Tomorrow, Shane echoed, feeling a sudden prick of urgency. Tomorrow Todd would be one day closer to a life in prison. Would Shane be any nearer to proving him innocent?
    He spotted Ackerman taking pictures of the assembled racers as they strapped on helmets and headed down the trail. They were taking the trip in order of team captain’s last name, so Shane had time before he and Gleeson had their turn. A few minutes to ask some questions, find out who knew Ellen Brown.
    He saw that Betsy had taken Ackerman by the elbow and drawn him a few paces away from the crowd. Moving closer, Shane brushed by Kelly.
    She gave him a close look. “Excited about the course?”
    “Yeah, itching to take it on. Was that your aunt I saw in camp?”
    “Yes, she’s come to watch Charlie during the race events.”
    Shane nodded. “He’ll like that, I’m sure.”
    She didn’t answer, and the silence between them thickened.
    He flicked a glance at Ackerman. Betsy was gesticulating to him angrily. “Seems like those two are having some trouble.”
    Kelly followed his gaze. “Looks that way.” She hesitated for a moment before putting a hand on his arm, the fingers squeezing slightly. “Shane, just focus on the race. It’s a dangerous course. If your mind is somewhere else…”
    “What’s the matter, Kell? You’re afraid I’ll get hurt? I’m practically a superhero on a bike. Without the cape, of course.” He tried for a light and flirty tone, the old Shane Mason who loved a good laugh and kept all the darkness bottled up tight.
    She read the tone underneath and removed her hand. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
    Just her professional side talking. Nothing more.
    The withdrawal was bigger than just her hand pulling away. He saw the first racer head down the trail. “I’ll do what I came here to do.” He felt her eyes following him as he headed toward his bike.
    Gleeson was already putting on his own helmet and rolling his bike toward the start. Up ahead, coppery braid trailing down her back, Betsy’s voice rose in anger as Shane approached.
    “That’s just fine, isn’t it? I’ve done everything for you.”
    Ackerman saw Shane coming and tried for a smile, at the same time holding up a calming hand to Betsy. “We’ll talk later.”
    “No, we won’t,” she snapped, pulling away from him and storming toward the bikes.
    “Women,” Ackerman said, a sheepish grin on his face.
    “Guess she’s immune to your charm.”
    He shrugged. “A tiff. It will blow over.”
    Some tiff. He thought about asking Ackerman about the picture of Olivia and Betsy. No, he decided. He’d ask Betsy himself. She might be more likely to let drop some details that he could use about what had happened the year before. Maybe he’d luck out, and she’d have an old phone number for Ellen. Perhaps they’d been pals.
    Shane moved toward his bike, stepping out of the way as Betsy pedaled past, her lips drawn tight, eyes narrowed.
    “Hang on, Betsy. That’s…”
    She zoomed by him and headed down the course. He trotted to a spot where he could watch her descent.