The car turned a corner, and directly ahead Penny glimpsed the newspaper truck.
“There it is!” she cried, but Jerry also had seen the vehicle.
He put on speed, and was close behind as the truck pulled up with a jerk at Dock 12. Green water whipped to foam, crashed with heavy impact against the dock posts and flooded out on the slippery planking.
“We won’t have much time!” Mr. Rhett exclaimed. “When the next phase of the storm comes—and it’s close now—the wind will be terrific!”
The men, with Penny close behind, leaped from the car. Quick as they were, Celeste was out of the truck before they could reach its door.
She stopped short as she saw the trio, then like a trapped animal, turned and fled in the opposite direction.
“Celeste!” Mr. Rhett shouted. “Wait!”
The woman paid no attention. Splashing ankle-deep through water that washed the dock planks, she ran precariously close to the river’s edge.
A hoarse shout from behind caused Penny to turn. The driver of the truck was gesturing and pointing first to the dark sky and then to an open shed. For a moment she did not understand, but as he ran for the shelter, she heard the deep-throated roar of the hurricane as it returned for its final onslaught.
“Quick!” cried Mr. Rhett who also recognized the danger. “Inside!”