Spanky Lane
One of the many mechanics from the defunct auto plant was desperate to sell his house. He was working part time for a local garage but said he would be glad to meet us during his lunch break.
"You don't need to be present," I told him. "It's actually better to show your house when you're not there."
Which is true. Most realtors would rather the owners not be home when perspective buyers walk through. In this case, it was imperative. He told me where the key was hidden but hinted that he still might meet us if he could.
I texted Mark the address and told him to meet me there in an hour, which didn't leave much time to clean up his mess. I did the best I could with the kitchen and then rushed up to the bedroom, planning to make the bed and be gone. There was a huge wet spot on the sheet and mattress cover. Evidence that what happened the night before wasn't a dream. With no time to wash the bed linens, I packed them up in the trunk of my car with a plan to wash them at my place and return before the owners came home.
The auto mechanic's house was on the other side of town. I'd have to hurry to get there before the owner's lunch break. The first few miles of the route to town followed a lonely farm road.
A good place to make up some time
, I thought, until the cop car pulled out from a hidden spot with his lights flashing.
I took my foot off the accelerator, but nothing happened when I hit the brakes. The pedal was stuck, like there was something obstructing it. I pushed harder. Still stuck. The cop put on his siren, like that was going to help me stop. I adjusted my ass in the seat, put both feet on the brake, and pushed with all my might. I heard a click just before the brake pedal went all the way to the floor, bringing me and my car to a screeching halt.
I watched in the rear-view mirror as the cop slowly got out of his car, put on his Smokey the Bear hat, and walked towards me. He stopped by my taillight.
"Open your window and show me your hands," he demanded.
I complied.
He approached my door but stopped just short.
"Using your left hand, open your door and step outside the car. Keep your right hand where I can see it."
I fumbled with the door handle and was finally able to push it open. I stretched my left leg into the opening, but my right leg wouldn't follow. I pulled again, but it wouldn't budge.
"I'm sorry, but I seem to be stuck," I told the officer.
"Are you hurt?"
"No, just stuck."
He considered my situation for a moment, holstered his gun and took a few cautious steps forward.
"What's the problem?"
I pointed to my right ankle, the one that wouldn't move.
He knelt down to look.
"Do you want to explain why your leg is handcuffed to the brake pedal?"
"It was an accident. When I got in the car, the cuff was only on my ankle. The other side must have got tangled with the brake when I tried to stop."
"You got in the car with a handcuff on your ankle?"
"It's jammed. And there weren't any tools in the house."
"So, you were going to get tools?"
"Exactly."
"At seventy miles per hour in a forty-five zone?"
"I've got to get there before the owner shows up."
"The guy that owns the handcuffs?"
"No. The guy that owns the house."
"You're going to break into his house and use his tools?"
"I'm a realtor. I'm allowed to enter his house when he's gone. And I'll probably sell it while I'm there."
"To who?"
"The man who probably cuffed me to the bed."
"Probably?"
"Yeah. I'm fairly positive it was him. But I can't say for sure. It was dark, and he put a bag over my head."
"Why don't you ask him when you break into this other guy's house?"
"I planned to. But now I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because he comes home for lunch in an hour and I don't want him to see me like this."
"The man who might have cuffed you to a bed?"
"No, the man who owns the house with the tools. I was going to meet the guy who probably cuffed me to the bed in the house with the tools in half an hour. But now I can't because you're going to throw me in jail for speeding."