Instead, the other vehicle's tires squealed as it took off and disappeared. The driver was leaving him for dead.
He leaned against the headrest and tried to slow his breathing. He didn't know how long it was before he heard another call pull up.
"Sheriff Hayes," yelled a man's voice. "Oh, my God."
Frank nearly wept with relief. Cal Rider had been at the same poker game, but had stayed on for a final round of Texas Hold 'Em. He must've taken the same route home that Frank had.
Cal reached inside the window and grasped Frank's shoulder. "I'm calling nine-one-one
right now." He dialed the emergency number and put the cell phone to his ear. "There's an accident on Murphy Road, near the railroad tracks. Hurry. It's bad." He hung up. "Christ, did you hit a deer?"
"No," said Frank. "Did you see the car...?"
"There's no one else out here."
"Take the girl. Not safe," the sheriff gritted out. "I won't..."
