Chapter 8
As it usually seems, the three criminals that had attacked Nicole were out on bail. Nobody had died, and there were many more 'American Most Wanted' that needed cell space. Plus a slimy attorney and bail bondsman, and they were out until their court date. They were riding around trying to find something to drink, snort or take; or something they could do to make them feel bigger than they actually were. It was fate that they saw James with everyone coming back from the restaurant, at the exact same time that Sheldon spotted them. That's when the pursuit started.
As James sped down a street, the traffic lights amazingly gave them the green, but turned almost immediately to red. This had the effect of making the three criminals slam on their brakes or have a number of collisions. California drivers didn't back down, so they had to sit at three stop lights or risk getting hit, causing a scene and attracting the attention of the police.
One of the red lights that they ran got them close enough for one of the passenger to pull out a .9mm Sig pistol and fire a few shots. His first two were lost as they never connected, but the third brought glass breaking, a grunt from Penny and a spang as the bullet ricocheted out of the car.
James increased their speed and put some distance between them. Again, the lights were with the good guys and against the bad guys.
"That should slow them down a bit."
Sheldon could see that Penny's right arm was bleeding, "Penny you've been hit!"
"There's a first aid bag under the driver's seat," James said to Raj as he looked in the rear view mirror.
Grabbing the olive drab bag with a red cross on it, and opening it, he got a large gauze pad and pressed it against Penny wound.
"How did you…?"
"What did…?"
"Owww…"
Sheldon ignored their questions, "It doesn't matter. We have some time to get you all to safety." Glancing quickly at James, who merely nodded, Sheldon said in a hard voice, "Then we are going after them."
"What? Are you crazy?"
"No, his mother had him tested," James said with a smile never taking his eyes off the road or rearview mirror.
Sheldon said in a higher voice than normal as he saw the pain in Penny, "They have proven that they don't care about any other people but themselves by firing wild at us. And they have proven they want to hurt us."
"I'll call 9-1-1."
"No."
"But Sheldon, we should let the police handle it. They are dangerous."
"No. They almost killed Penny. We'll take care of it."
"Sheldon I'm ok, it's only graze. See? I've been hurt worse when I was in the rodeo. Please I'm worried that you will get hurt."
"Never-the-less, you need to seek medical attention." Pulling out his cell phone, Sheldon hit a speed-dial number, "Doctor Stephanie? Can you come over to the apartment? Penny has cut her arm on some glass and will require stitches. No she can't go to the ER, her car is not drivable due to her 'check engine' light and have you seen the condition of a taxi's back seat…Look, I'll make a deal with you; you come over and take care of Penny and I will never call you or visit your hospital. Great!"
Turning to the group, "She'll see you in 30 minutes." Clicking off the phone, "Raj, keep pressure on her wound to stop the bleeding and to keep Penny from bleeding all over James's car."
"Thanks to your hacking skills Wolowitz, we know their criminal records are longer than you are tall. They deserve to be punished."
Penny was looking at Sheldon's profile. There was strength about it she had never seen before. "But honey, I'm worried about you. They have guns."
"We can take care of ourselves; with some help from Howard's inventions."
"Howard's…?"
"My inventions?"
"That was one of the devices that got us all the green lights; James controls that from the steering wheel. I had asked Howard to draw up plans for some equipment that James had wanted for this vehicle. After I had made the equipment, I sent them to James. When I visited during our school reunion I attached them. They haven't been actually tested under 'combat conditions' but I have a feeling that's about to change."
"You actually installed them? But why?" Howard exclaimed with a mixture of excitement and fear.
The first question was obvious to Sheldon so he ignored it. The second was not answered as he ordered, "Turn here," Sheldon then commanded. "Pull over; we need to let them out."
Penny got out with Sheldon as Howard and Raj piled out. Raj swapped out the bloody gauze for a fresh one.
Sheldon handed Penny his wallet, "Here. There should be more than enough to get a cab back to the apartment; Dr. Stephanie will be over to take care of your arm."
"Sheldon I'm not leaving you."
Sheldon did something that he knew would shut her up and keep her off balance while he went to work. He pulled her close and kissed her, hard. It worked. Penny was so stunned she just stood there while Raj gripped her wound.
"Raj, Howard, take care of Penny."
"Raj can handle her. I'm going with you."
"Howard…" Sheldon started.
"Look, I designed those gadgets on the car. Who better to operate them? What happens if they don't work? You need someone who knows what they are supposed to do. Just think of me as your own personal engineer for this."
"Why?"
"Good question. Look…maybe some of your crazy is rubbing off, but I have always hated bullies. If I can get a little payback against those neo-Nazi son-of-a-bitches, count me in. Besides, they hurt Penny and I care for her too." He wiggled his eyebrow, "But obviously not as much as you do."
"Guys, let's go. We only had about a 2 minute head start," James yelled from inside the car.
"Take care of her Raj and yourself. If something happens tell Bernie…we'll, you know."
"You too," Raj spoke softly.
'Lassie spoke, and didn't need alcohol. Just me to catch a bullet', Penny thought with a grimace.
Howard crawled in the front seat where Penny had been seated. Sheldon looked at Penny, nodded to Raj, slid in and slammed the door.
Spinning wheels, James did a U-turn and stopped at the intersection. Penny and Raj watched them turn left into traffic and speed off. No more than 15 seconds later the skin head's car went zooming after them.
"They're going to be alright, aren't they Raj?"
Raj sighed and looked at Penny. He pulled his bloody hand away and dug into the first aid bag producing an alcohol swab. Opening the wrapper he gently swabbed her wound as she hissed.
"I hope so."
"Ok besides the traffic light gizmo, which wasn't difficult to do, what else did you put in here?" Howard asked.
Opening the glove compartment Sheldon pulled out a box that had wires which ran back into the glove box. He briefly exclaimed what each button did as he buckled up Wolowitz and then fastened the harness on himself.
"So where are we going?"
"Somewhere without any innocent bystanders."
"That would be the desert."
"How are we on fuel?"
"Full tank."
"Then my only hope is those felons also have enough to keep up with us until…"
"Until what Sheldon?" Howard was busy going over in his head what everything did. He missed the look in Sheldon's eye.
"Until whatever happens Howard." Sheldon said. "Just make sure you know which button to hit."
