Chapter 9 – Foiled Again

The morning crew began to arrive at the ARC as Ron watched from his car. He was parked along the street impatiently waiting for the right moment. All night long he plotted how to pay Connor back for interrupting him with Abby. It was no longer just a matter of getting paid. He now had a private score to settle with Connor Temple and he planned to make it hurt as much as possible.

He knew Connor's routine. Any minute now, Connor would walk across the street with Abby at his side - just like he did every morning. To his annoyance, Ron spotted Abby walking in by herself. "Damn," he said as he slapped his hand against the seat. His angry eyes watched Abby for a second and then his expression changed to a malicious grin. Laughing, he put the car in drive. "This is going to work out just fine," he said as he stomped down on the gas.

The sound of squealing tires caught Danny's attention as he got out of his car. Some idiot was speeding down the street. When Danny saw Abby step into the road, he shouted, "Abby, look out!"

Abby jerked to a stop. She saw the car racing toward her and threw herself backward at the last second. Rolling to her feet, she tried to read the license plate as the car screeched around the corner, but it was impossible.

Danny ran to her and asked, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, thanks for the shout. That driver must have been high." Abby shook her head and then changed the subject. "Danny, have you seen Connor?"

Danny nodded his head. "He spent the night at my place. I just dropped him off at the coffee shop around the corner. He should be here soon but he said he wanted to walk for a bit."

"Was he O.K.?" she asked nervously. "We had a misunderstanding last night."

"Abby, you should talk to him," Danny urged. "You two really need to get everything out in the open."

"What do you mean?"

Danny shook his head wondering how two young people could be so thick. "Look, you need to tell Connor how you feel; however you feel, just tell him!" Danny rubbed a hand over his jaw as he tried to make Abby understand. "You need to tell him the truth and then see what he thinks. Don't assume you all ready know."

Abby gave him a side-ways glance, "that's good advice, but I think it's too late."

"There you go again," he admonished her. "Just say what you want to say and let Connor tell you if it's too late."

"I'll try," she promised.