A rope attached somewhere to the car, had twisted around my ankle, snug enough that I couldn’t shake it off and I was being dragged so fast, I couldn’t reach down and free myself.
I yelled to Mo, “GET HELP!”
I was glad my hand had kept tight hold of the knife, a good-sized one at that. The car would sink fast once in the water since this part of the lake was a bit deep for the launch of the boats. I didn’t waste a minute once in the water, I reached down with the knife and got busy cutting. It wasn’t easy, the weight of the car pulling me down and the exertion it took to cut the rope, But I warned myself to keep cutting. It wasn’t thick. It wouldn’t take long, but when you’re holding your breath while sinking, seconds seem like hours.
I kept sawing away at it and while I could hold a good long breath, the exertion it took to cut at the rope began to take its toll and I found my hand weakening and fighting to maintain my breath.
Just when I thought I would be dragged to my death, the rope gave way, and I pumped my arms and kicked my legs and with what I thought was my last breath forced myself toward the surface.
A little more. Just a little more and I’d get there. I’d make it. Hopefully!
I wasn’t sure, but I thought I saw the surface of the water break.
I really wondered if lack of oxygen had turned me delusional since I could swear it was a Highlander headed straight for me.
11
“What were you thinking? I should arrest you.” My dad stopped pacing long enough to shake the wallet and the knife—I had miraculously kept hold of and was in an evidence bag, a lot of good it would do now with my prints all over it—I had found, in my face. “These aren’t worth your life. As soon as you found the murder victim’s car you should have called me. But, oh no, you had to investigate.” He threw his hands up in frustration.
I sat in silence, cuddled against Ian, each of us wrapped in the two silver emergency blankets I kept in my vest. After carrying me out of the lake like the romance hero he is and us both shivering, I told him about the blanket pouches, and he was quick to get them. He had gallantly wrapped one around me before seeing to himself. This was the first time I ever had to use them, which proves my point of being a good prepper. Of course, having a hero Highlander along doesn’t hurt either.
The EMTs had checked me and Ian out at my dad’s insistence and assured him we both were fine, which I thought was the case with Ian since he carried me out of the lake with barely a labored breath.
I turned away from my dad, hoping he was done scolding me and was sorry I caught my brother Josh’s eye. He was busy taking one last look where I had found the car before they brought in the tow vehicle that would help get the car out of the lake, since the ramp area was the only viable way for a vehicle to get through. He shot me a glare, shaking his head to let me know I had really messed up this time. I turned back to my dad.
“This stops here and now, Pepper,” my dad ordered, shaking a finger at me.
I didn’t argue with him. When he got this upset, it was best not to. When he calmed down, I’d tell him that I was too old for him to tell me what I could and couldn’t do. Yeah, sure I would.
I did what any respectful daughter would do, I played to his empathy.
“I’m so cold, Dad, can we talk about this later?”
My dad seldom swears, but when he does you better run for it and that’s what I wanted to do as he let one loose. I even saw the look of flight on my brother’s face. It was instinct to run and hide among us Madison kids when hearing Dad cuss like that, though he wouldn’t dare curse in front of my mom.
“Josh is going to take you home and that is where you are going to stay until I come and talk to you. And it’s the sheriff giving you that order, not your dad. Got it?”
“I can take her home, Sheriff,” Ian offered.
“I appreciate that, Ian, but her brother will see her home. There’s some questions I have for you, and I owe you my thanks for saving my stubborn and fool-headed daughter’s life.”
I went to defend myself, but my father was quicker.
“Not a word, Pepper. You’re lucky Ian didn’t hesitate to listen to that lazy dog of yours.”