The Wrath of Pan (The Inglewood Chronicles Book 2) Read Free Page B

Reno?”
    He lowered his sunglasses, “Of course not; Phil is a much better companion.  He actually knows the answers to a lot of the crossword puzzles.”
    Not even giving me a chance to fire back, the two of them left.  It didn’t matter, I couldn’t argue his point.  I might know a lot of useless pop culture references but when it came to the kinda crap they ask on a crossword, I’m useless.  I did manage to give Reno the finger when he turned around, probably to do the same to me.
    “Boys…”
    My attention turned back to Liz.  “What’s wrong with us?”  I couldn’t even keep a straight face as I asked.
    “One would assume over the thousands of years your species has been on this world, you would evolve.  That is not the case; men have always been exactly the same.”
    “At least we’re consistent unlike women.”
    You’d think I’d learn to keep my mouth shut.  Liz’s eyes flared and in a low yet dangerous voice, “Are you implying something Victor?”
    I felt my face go red, “Of course not, there’re exceptions to every rule and I think you fall under that.”
    “I am relieved to hear I am an ‘exception.’  It would have been an awful situation tonight if some friendly fire was to go astray.”
    I didn’t know if she was joking or not, so I quickly changed the subject back to this evening’s plan with Divas.  Her expression eventually softened but somewhere in the back of my mind I made a very important reminder, never piss her off.

Chapter 4
     
    Reno and Phil had found a nice little spot right outside the border town of Nogales for us to hide.  The road had a decent curve to it and there was a billboard that provided plenty of shadows.  I was leaning up against the hood of the Mustang.  Something told me before this night was over, we’d be going on a little ride through the desert.
    The faint sounds of a large vehicle became audible.  Looking down at my watch, it read eleven-thirteen.  “I think our cargo truck is right on schedule.”
    Reno grabbed a pair of binoculars and like a bug, quickly climbed up to the catwalk of the billboard.  “I got headlights coming this way.”
    Both Phil and I looked at Liz.  “Should we get into position?”
    “Yes, Phil, move the van and block the road.  Vic, get the Mustang ready.  If Reno cannot successfully disable their vehicle, we will have to take pursuit.”
    Up on the catwalk above us, Reno was putting together a sniper rifle.  Where he got that, I had no idea.  Plus, who knew if he could even shoot the thing.
    “Are you sure it’s safe for him to be firing that gun?”
    Phil answered, “He might not seem like it, but Reno takes his job very seriously.  He will be successful.”
    “Good to hear big guy.”  I gave Phil a pat on the back and went to the car.  The road noise from the cargo truck was getting louder.
    Phil pulled the van into the road.  It would only be a matter of moments before this party got started.  The engine of the Mustang came to life.  Watching closely, the cargo truck came into view.
    “They’re not slowing down.  They wouldn’t ram the van, would they?”
    Liz didn’t respond; she was too busy watching the scene unfold.  The cargo truck blew its horn, but Phil was already out of the van.  It started to speed up and at the last moment, swerved out into the desert.  I thought for sure it was going to tip over, but the driver kept control and brought the cargo truck back on to the road.
    A gunshot echoed through the night.  I knew it was Reno and I hoped he was able to make contact.  I pulled the Mustang out on to the road and took off in pursuit.  As soon as the wheels hit the pavement, I picked up the smell of gasoline.
    “I think Reno hit their gas tank!”
    Liz stretched out and looked to the road.  “I see a trail of liquid on the road.”
    “Son of a bitch, I owe that guy an apology.”
    Before I could do that, we needed to catch this truck and get Divas.  Even though it