Speed Demons Read Free

still yours, and you can use them to prove once and for all exactly what happened. I had a vantage point that the news cameras and the sports network didn’t. My pictures tell the true story.”
    “You’re giving these to me, and the right to do whatever I please with them?” Evie’s voice lost some of its annoyance.
    “Yes.”
    “No strings attached?”
    “None.”
    Evie had her reasons to be suspicious. According to her manager, several publishers and editors had swamped her with suggestions and proposals. The chance that she’d accept Blythe’s offer was infinitesimal.
    “If—if I should go ahead with such a project, there’d be tons of clauses and exceptions.” Evie placed a hand on top of the envelope between them.
    “I’m sure we could work things out.” At last, Blythe realized there was enough oxygen in the restaurant. The waiter returned with their food and she welcomed the break in their conversation. Cautiously she tasted the puttanesca, relieved that the angel hair pasta dish was savory, but not too hot.
    “Great choice, huh?” Evie said, sounding casual.
    “It’s delicious. Very good choice.” Blythe smiled as carefully as she’d just tasted the pasta and, to her relief, Evie reciprocated.
    *
    Evie studied Blythe surreptitiously as they ate in silence. She usually wolfed down the food at Pasta Cosi, but tonight, with so many emotions fighting to overwhelm her, she had to concentrate on chewing every bite so she wouldn’t choke.
    She’d recognized Blythe Pierce as soon as she stepped into the restaurant. Evie felt at ease here at Pasta Cosi, having frequented this place ever since high school, but her heart raced as Blythe walked toward her.
    Blythe’s face was one of her last clear memories before the crash. During the day she couldn’t remember the pileup, but some nights it all returned in her dreams, haunting her with nauseating details of flames, smoke, and broken bodies. She shook away the destructive thoughts and instead studied Blythe. Dressed in preppy clothes, with her blond hair curling down to her shoulders, Blythe had translucent, blue eyes that grabbed Evie. How could someone who had witnessed so much in all the major hellholes in this world have such a mild gaze? Blythe’s pale, freckled complexion also belied her age and experience.
    Evie had reacquainted herself with the photographer’s biography and work via her website before she agreed to meet. According to it, Blythe was twelve years Evie’s senior, but she didn’t look it. Surely you couldn’t spend months and months in Iraq and Afghanistan, in such scorching heat, without sun damage? Perhaps Blythe’s makeup protected her, but from what Evie could see, she wore only some eye shadow.
    She had been certain Blythe had intended to sell those photos at a very high price, and that she would threaten to sell them to the tabloids or someone else out to use them for God knew what purpose. When Blythe simply gave them to her, Evie became speechless for several moments. The selfless act seemed without ulterior motives. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out Blythe’s next step. She began to relax as Blythe merely ate and seemed content to wait for her to make up her mind.
    “I need to know more,” Evie blurted. “I’m sorry. I just can’t make a decision like this on the spot.”
    “I realize that your comeback alone must be stressful enough, without having me shadow you. Still, that’s how it would be. If you eventually agree to do this book, I’ll have to be with you during practices and everything that has anything remotely to do with you as a NASCAR driver. It’s important that you understand this.”
    Evie nodded, grateful for Blythe’s straightforwardness. “I do.”
    “I’ll do my best to answer any questions you might have. I know that your team researched me last year. Nothing much has changed, but if you want, you can double-check my credentials and references.”
    “I might. Still, that’s