Chelsea was a saleswoman. She worked for a equipment manufacturer to sell medical equipment to hospitals. drove all over Los Angeles County five days week. She was not the world’s most law-abiding . When all the freeway lanes were at a stop, she would scoot along the emergency lane. rarely met a stop sign at an empty that she obeyed. She always slowed down enough make sure the intersection was clear, and then on through. She usually talked on her cell while driving. While driving and yakking, she would drink a soda or eat a sandwich. Her , legs, and mouth were always busy while she driving. She was born, she often bragged, to .

Last night she had to show a customer to operate a new device. The customer was slow learner, so Chelsea ended up leaving the half an hour later than she had planned. , of course, she got stuck in Friday evening hour. She was going to be late for date, but the nearby mountains blocked her cell from calling Sebastian and telling him.

She was irritated, and things seemed to be getting worse. all the traffic stopped. Chelsea drove immediately over the emergency lane and continued driving along it. was making good progress. She couldn’t believe she the only one in the emergency lane. Usually cars would follow her lead. Then she saw red flashing lights in her rearview mirror. The pulled her over and walked up alongside her . He was young and good-looking. Chelsea felt better.

“ you know why I pulled you over, ma’am?”

“, officer. I’m illegally in the emergency lane.”

“Is a reason that you are in the emergency ?”

“Officer, my boyfriend left me after he got pregnant. I have constant morning sickness. I’m just to get to the nearest store to buy medicine.” She looked at him imploringly, with big, , innocent eyes.

He looked at her for a moment, then handed her license back.

“Okay, ma’am. the first exit you come to. I hope ’ll be feeling better. I’m Anthony, by the way.”

“ you so much, officer Anthony.”

The officer walked to his car and Chelsea drove on. This the second time that excuse had worked for . She had one more errand to do before got home. She had to mail a package. got to the mini-mall at 7 p.m. No was available, except for the handicapped space. Chelsea right into it. She would only be a , she told herself. All she had to do run into the mailbox store, get the package , and pay the clerk.

There was no line the store. Everything was done so quickly that was whistling while she walked back out to car. Then she stopped whistling. There was an on the windshield. She opened it slowly. She what it was, but not how much it . She screamed when she saw the amount. A started barking.