Read Online The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina - Free Book Online Page A

reason to return. Emma was taken by Joe’s strong gentle way, and the bittersweet sadness in his eyes. His mother had died when he was nine. His father, an electrician with the state, had died of a heart attack just the previous winter.
    Joe was a loner.
    But being with him made her feel like she was in the place she needed to be. They got married and Emma, who’d minored in education at college, got a job as a teacher.
    She loved her new life in Big Cloud.
    It was as if she’d been reborn.
    Joe was her rock and Tyler was their gift.
    But now Joe is dead and Tyler is gone.
    â€œNo!”
    Emma pulled her fingers into a fist and pounded the stand at her bedside, toppling the tray. The water jug splashed to the floor. She brought her fist down again, and the stand crashed against the wall and equipment cart.
    Nooooo.
    Emma’s heart rate soared, the monitor beeped. Alarmed nurses rushed into her room.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she sobbed, “it’s my fault!” Her hands flew up to her mouth. “I’m the one who said we should drive to the river for a picnic. It’s my fault!”
    â€œNo, it’s okay, Emma.” The nurses lowered her head back. “It’s okay.”
    The next sedative put her down for hours.
    * * *
    Emma woke in dim light to several silhouettes.
    Her aunt Marsha, her uncle Ned, Dr. Kendrix, a nurse and several other people were gathered in her room.
    She heard the soft chink of keys, the leathery squeak of a utility belt then the whiz of a nylon club jacket and nervous throat clearing.
    â€œEmma,” Kendrix said, “you know Lyle and Darnell.”
    As her eyes adjusted, she recognized Lyle Spencer with the Big Cloud County Fire & Emergency Services and Darnell Horn, a deputy with the county sheriff’s office. Both had made safety presentations at her school many times. She knew their wives, their children.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThey were both at the scene, do you remember?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWe’re so damned sorry,” Lyle said. “Most of the guys at the department knew Joe. They’re taking up a collection.”
    â€œRuthie sends her love,” Darnell said. “If there’s anything we can do.”
    â€œWhat have you done with my son?”
    Keys chimed. Darnell shifted his weight as he braced to explain.
    â€œEmma, I’m so sorry but he didn’t make it. Tyler and Joe didn’t make it.”
    â€œYou’re a liar!”
    â€œWe were called to the scene.” Darnell cleared his throat. “We helped the highway patrol. Joe lost control. The guys at Joe’s site said he’d been putting in long hours, we figured he drifted off.”
    â€œNo! Someone swerved into our lane!”
    â€œThere were no other witnesses, no skid marks. The people that stopped afterward to help you did not report seeing anyone.”
    â€œI’m your witness! A car was coming at us and Joe swerved.”
    â€œDo you remember the color? The make?”
    â€œNo, dammit, it was all too fast!”
    â€œEmma, some of the guys at Joe’s job site said that in the past few days he would sleep at lunch or fall asleep in his truck before heading home.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHe was working god-awful long hours.”
    â€œDon’t you dare blame him! You can’t blame him, I was there!”
    â€œEmma,” Lyle said. “The doctors said you had a concussion.”
    â€œWhy are you doing this?”
    â€œWe’re trying to help you.”
    â€œYou’re all lying! Is it because of Tyler? Where is he?”
    â€œEmma, sweetheart,” her aunt said. “Everyone understands this is a horrible time. They’re only trying to help.”
    â€œWhat did they do with my son? I saw someone rescue my son!”
    Kendrix sat in the chair beside her and positioned it nearer.
    â€œSometimes,” he started, “Emma, sometimes the mindwill