Speed Trap

Professional Reviews

Speed Trap gets 4 ANGELS from FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS!

Speed Trap is a short story that packs a lot of emotion in its pages. When Ms. Channing named this book, she gave it the perfect name. It's fast paced and grabs the reader with a tale of two people who need and want each other and have to find a way to overcome the obstacles in their way.

Ms. Channing has such a way with words that the reader sees the story unfolding in their mind as they're reading the words on the pages.

Reviewed by: Donna, Fallen Angel Reviews

Excerpt

“You realize, of course, that you were speeding,” the police officer said, his arms folded over his chest, his mouth a firm line. He was young, too young to be so serious. Libby leaned out her open window and smiled up at him.

“I know. I’m not from here and I didn’t see the sign until it was too late.”

“Oh, in Arkansas the speed limit for driving through a town is eighty-five?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

He lowered his arms and set his hands on the door. “I’m going to have to see your license and registration, please.”

Libby bit her lip and caught sight of his nametag. “Please, Officer Davidson, I don’t have insurance.”

“Of course you don’t.” He sighed and pulled a pen and notepad from his shirt pocket. “What about a license?”

“I do have that.” She leaned back into the car and began rummaging around in her purse. Her heart skipped a beat and a sickening sense of dread made her mouth go dry. “My wallet, it’s gone.”

He squatted down before the window and for the first time she got a good look at him. Clean-shaven angular face, straight nose, soft lips, and dark hair. Very nice. If only she could see his eyes, but the dark sunglasses kept them hidden.

“No license, no insurance, speeding. Your ass on fire?”

“What?”

“You seem to be in an awful big hurry. May I see your registration, please?”

She shook her head.

“If I run a check on your plates, what will I find?”

A lump formed in her throat and tears stung her eyes. “Don’t do that.”

With ease of motion, he put the pen and paper back into his pocket and grimaced. “I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car.” He straightened and pulled open the door.

Libby sat there, her body quivering, petrified. Not missing a beat, he took her by her arm, his fingers strong as they dug into her flesh.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” she protested.

“Put your hands on the hood.”

Her body quaked as he patted her down. When his hand skimmed over her thighs and across her buttocks, a strange surge coursed through her and her stomach tightened into a knot.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking you into the station,” he answered in monotone.

She turned to face him and saw him removing handcuffs from his belt. “You don’t have to do that. I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t want…”

Davidson grabbed her wrist and spun her around, bending her over the hood. His body rested against the backs of her thighs and again she felt it, the unexpected jolt of excitement. Not the time! She felt herself becoming more and more turned on by his take-charge manner.

“What don’t you want?” he asked, cuffing her and pulling her to standing.

“I-I don’t want my boyfriend to find me.”

Davidson lowered her into the squad car and removed his glasses. Blue—his eyes were silver blue, but difficult to read.

“You steal his car?” he asked, pointing at the primer gray GTO.

“No.”

“He can’t report it stolen?”

“No,” she said again, her tears running in salty rivulets down her cheeks. “But if he knows where the car is, he’ll know where to find me.”

Davidson blew out a disgusted breath. “Before I take you in, tell me everything and I’ll see what can be done.”

She closed her eyes tight at the memory of Dwayne’s latest attack. How could she put what almost happened into words without bawling like a baby?

“He thinks he owns me. I told him I wanted out. I didn’t want or need him anymore.”

“Go on,” he coaxed, his voice softer and sweeter than she would have believed possible. “I’ve heard it all before.”

“He started sending me flowers at work, calling and hanging up…” Tears stung anew and fell in large drops. Her lower lip quivered and she looked to Davidson for reassurance. He offered a gentle smile.

“Last week he broke into my house and tried to…” The memory of him ripping at her clothes, and prying her legs apart tore into her soul. A sob escaped her lips before she could stifle it.

Davidson rested his hand on her shoulder, the warmth and tenderness of the gesture urging her on.

“The police came and arrested him, but his brother is the chief. I knew he’d get out and be back.” She shifted her weight. With her hands still cuffed, her wrists ached and she couldn’t wipe away her tears. “I threw some shit into a bag and got the hell out of there.”

“What about your family?”

She shook her head. “My folks left me with my granny when I was a baby. Granny’s been gone for near six years now. Nothing’s been right since.”

Davidson knelt down by the open car door and removed a red bandanna handkerchief from his back pocket. Wiping away her tears, he asked, “Where are you heading?”

Raising her head, she looked up at him. “It looks like I’m going to jail.”

“No, sweetheart.” Davidson winked. “I’m gonna believe you.” He helped her out of the car and removed the cuffs. “I may be a fool for doing it but I can’t see risking your life for a little money in the city’s coffers.”

“Thanks.” She smiled and without thought reached up and touched his arm. Beneath the light fabric of his pale blue uniform shirt, she felt a well-toned bicep. When her gaze came to his, she caught a flash of interest and her breath caught in her throat.

“What you going to do now?” he asked. “You got no money, no I.D., nothing.”

“I guess I’ll go back to the place I filled up and hope that they have my wallet. I don’t want to. It’s well over a hundred miles ago.”

“You remember the name of the place? You could call. Chances are no one is gonna turn it in. You’re probably pretty well screwed on ever seeing that again.”

She felt around her pants pocket. “I have a receipt.” She offered it to him and he examined it.

“What’s your name?”

“Libby Collins.”

‘Well, Ms. Collins, I’ll call it in and have some folks look into it for you.”

“They’ll do that for me?”

He grinned. “Here in White Springs it will be something interesting to do. The occasional speeder is about the most excitement we get in a day.” He disappeared into the cruiser and talked into the radio. Returning to where she leaned against the GTO, he ran an appreciative finger over the hood. “Annie’s taking care of it.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you going to do in the meantime?”

She scrubbed her hands over her tired face. “I guess I’ll find a nice parking spot and wait.”

He cocked his head and grinned. “I’m off duty ’til tomorrow. What do you think about coming home with me for supper?”

His voice was softer, his manner changed, and as tempted as she was by the offer, she shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”

“Why not? It’s food and a place to wash up before you leave White Springs.” He leaned forward and put his mouth close to her ear. “I ain’t a bad sort.”

His warm breath caused a delightful chill and her nipples tightened. He pulled back and smiled. “What do you say?”

“I am hungry.”

“I imagine you’ve not had anything better to eat than a day-old truck stop hotdog since you left Arkansas.”

She grinned and he rubbed her arm. “That’s better. You know you ain’t too hard on the eyes, especially when you smile.”