"I didn't treat you right either, Miss Nichols. I lied to you about why the police were after me."
"I suspected that," Penny acknowledged.
"I was driving a truck of stolen wheels to Chicago when I had a blow-out," the boy went on. "A policeman came over to investigate. I ducked out and hid in your garage."
"Why didn't you come to talk with my father as you promised, Jimmie?"
"I knew he had been assigned to catch the auto accessory thieves. I couldn't afford to take any chance."
Before Penny could reply there came a screech of brakes as the truck abruptly stopped. She was flung hard against the end-gate.
"Halt!" a voice rang out. "Halt or we'll fire!"