Chapter 19

           RagenjoggedelevenmilesacrossthecityofColumbusand,atseven-thirtyFridaymorning,reachedtheOhioStateUniversityEastBelmontparkinglot.Hehadnoplan;hisonlythoughtwastofindsomeonetorob.FromthecurbbetweentheCollegeofMedicineandthelot,hesawayoungwomanparkagoldToyota.Asshegotoutofthecar,hesawsheworeamaroonpantssuitunderanopenbuckskincoat.Heturnedawaytolookforsomeoneelse;hehadnointentionofrobbingawoman.

           ButAdalana,whohadbeenwatching,knewwhyRagenwashere.Sheknewhewastiredfromthecross-cityrunandtheamphetaminesandvodkaweregettingtohim.Shewishedhimoffthespot...

           Assheapproachedtheyoungwoman,Adalanasawherleanovertheseattopickupsomebooksandpapersfromthepassengersside.ShetookRagensgunoutoftheholsterandpresseditagainstthewomansarm.

           Thewomanlaughedwithoutturningtolook."C’mon,guys,stopkiddingaround."

           ‘"Wouldyoupleasegetintothecar,"Adalanasaid."We’regoingforaride."

           CarrieDryerturnedandsawitwasnotoneofherfriends,butsomeoneshedidn’trecognize.Shesawtheguninhisglovedhandandrealizedthismanwasn’tjoking.Hemotionedforhertoslideintothepassenger’sseat,andshescrambledoverthestickshift.Hetookhercarkeysandslippedinbehindthewheel.Atfirsthehaddifficultyreleasingtheemergencybrake,buthefinallypulledoutoftheparkinglot.