I had to look at the screen just to be sure it was him. “Hey, Rodney, I know you’re following Jeb. You need to back off,” I yelled. “Stop following him, Rodney. Go home to your wife!”
He let out an evil laugh. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about me, Tameka. I have a job to do, and I’m going to do it. Getting him out of the way will make everything go back to normal.”
Rodney disconnected the call, and I tossed my phone on the passenger side and sped up. They were a good five to seven minutes ahead of me, but I had to at least try. I took a deep breath and floored it.
“What are you up to, Rodney?” I mumbled.
Jeb’s house wasn’t that far away, but it seemed to take forever as I rode the curvy road in pursuit of Rodney. My phone started to ring, so I grabbed it and answered the call.
“Hello?” I asked frantically.
“Babe, it’s Jeb. This black car has been on my tail since I pulled out of your driveway. Are you guys okay?” he asked.
“Yes, we’re fine, but Jeb…Rodney is behind you. I’m not far behind you guys, but you need to drive him to the police station,” I said.
“He’s trying to run me off the road. I should pull over and give him the action he’s begging for,” Jeb growled.
“No! Jeb, whatever you do, do not get into a fight with him. Where are you?” I asked.
“Lee Road 177. Just about to go over the bridge.”
“Okay. I’m calling the police.”
“Tameka, I love you. No matter what happens, I want you to know that.”
“Jeb, what are you about to do?” I could feel the tears stinging my eyes as I floored the gas pedal. “Don’t confront him, please!”
“I don’t think…without a…fight…” His words sounded broken, then I heard a crash and eventually snow on the other end.
“Jeb?” I yelled.
“Tam…”
Then, nothing. The call ended.
“Jeb! Jeb!” I cried out, feeling as if my heart was caught in my throat as I dialed 911.
“911, where’s your emergency?”
“My ex-husband is following my boyfriend, and I think he’s going to attack him. He’s trying to make him wreck his car!” Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my voice shook as my body trembled with despair. “Please…you need to hurry.”
“Ma’am, I need you to calm down, and tell me where you are located.”
“Lee Road 177 close to the bridge, heading north. Please…hurry.” I pressed the pedal to the floor. Thankfully, there weren’t many cars on the road tonight. I had to make it to Jeb because it could be too late by the time the cops arrived.
At that very moment, I sensed something terrible had happened. Then, I crossed over the bridge and saw it. Flames engulfed a car that had skidded off the road and into a field. My heart rattled with palpable fear. I drove to the side of the field, parked, and jumped out of the car running toward the wreckage.
“Jeb? Jeb?” I yelled.
Tears flowed down my cheeks as I stood several feet away from the fire and watched the flames total the vehicle. N
o other cars were around.
I knelt down and started to bawl my eyes out as sirens pierced through the night. My body shook from the sight of the horror of the scene in front of me. I simply couldn’t fathom what was going on. Then, I heard soft moaning and searched for where it was coming from.
“Is that you, Jeb?”
“O…over here, Meka,” a man’s ragged voice called out between coughs.