Chapter 22

Tasha and Joe hurried down the ladder of the tree house. “We have to get out of here fast!” Joe said.

Tasha pointed to Barney’s car. “It’s so nice of Barney to give us his keys.” She waved the keys in front of Joe. “You can drive. Right?”

Joe nodded. “I do, but my dad and the state troopers will be here any moment. I don’t think I can outrun them. I know I don’t want to be on the run from my dad.” He heard a car coming down the street. “In fact, my dad is coming now.”

Tasha turned towards the sheriff's car. “I can slow him down.”

“Don’t hurt him,” Joe said.

“Oh, I won’t. You just get in the car and be ready to drive.”

Tasha concentrated on the sheriff's car. It started sputtering and grounded to a stop. Inside the car, the sheriff sat perplexed at the wheel. “What the?” He saw his son Joe and some girl get into the deputy’s car. The sheriff picked up his radio. It was dead. He pushed up the door and jumped out just in time to see his son stealing