Trouble And Money #15

Interstate 95 Heading North In Massachusetts.

Jackson Till throttled the big truck down and started a gentle brake. 

It was just after 10 p.m., and Jackson, heading north, crossed the Rhode Island border near the Big Blue Bug on Interstate 95 in Massachussets.

A car was angled across two lanes in the middle of the third and second lane. Five road flares were around the vehicle, and two women were standing behind the aluminum barrier inside the highway.

​Traffic on this same side of the highway snaked toward the far right and continued on their way.

Jackson looked at the two women as he came to a complete stop. As he braked, he turned on the big rig's "Christmas Decorations." 

He was close to his final destination but always helped motorists in distress. This made him sleep better, and it was the result of a promise to God he had made seventeen years ago when he hit a patch of black ice and jackknifed on the Jersey Turnpike.

So many motorists continued on their way while Jackson bled, trapped in the truck's cab.

He was shivering and in shock as he bled out when the passenger-side cab door opened up, and a young woman climbed down into the cab and furiously worked on the barely conscious truck driver. 

She spoke loudly and confidently as she used Jackson's belt to tighten above his femoral artery.  It was challenging, but she got lucky. This stabilized him until the paramedics arrived, and he was airlifted off the highway.

Jackson and Tina exchange Christmas cards every year. She saved his life.

Jackson walked over to the two women, who were both crying. He took his jacket off and put it over the shoulders of the two girls, saying to them. "Everything's okay." 

"What happened?"

"My car just stopped in the middle of the highway. It's a stupid electric. I couldn't push it."

Jackson explained that "they did the right thing" to get off the highway.

As he consoled them at the side of the barrier, a man stepped over the aluminum on the other side of the highway. He confidently crossed two lanes of moving traffic and climbed into the cab of Jackson's rig.

Jackson did not see him, but he heard the truck start and gear up, heading into the traffic going north.

He looked at the two girls and said, "What the?"

One of them pulled out an automatic pistol and aimed at Jackson.

"Just stay there or I will shoot you she said."

The two climbed over the barrier and crossed to their car. They got in it and headed north.

Jackson picked up his coat and reached for his cell phone in a pocket but realized it was in the truck.

It was going to be a long night.

His promise to God had caused him to break a few company rules. He was not supposed to stop because of the load he was carrying.

Peace O The Sea Trailer Park - Rye, New Hampshire

​"Hello," said Conrad Grange.

"Connie, Wally Hughes here. Can you stop by the office after four today?"

"Bring Gator."

Trouble And Money is published Monday through Friday. It is a serial fiction detective story with characters you will love. Read the adventures of Conrad Grange as he solves cases and contends with a harsh world.