Washed Clean - Book 2, Shadows in the Suds

By David KnutsonThe second book in the Washed Clean series, where shadows deepen and faith cleanses at Rice Street Car Wash.

Chapter 1: The Slashed Silence

Alex Rivera stood in Bay 4, the sharp, acrid scent of slashed rubber assaulting his senses as he stared at the wreckage of a customer’s sedan. The tires were shredded, gashes deep and deliberate, the rubber dangling in jagged strips that caught the fluorescent lights like broken teeth. This was the third act of vandalism in a week—first, the hoses had been severed, their frayed ends swaying like severed arteries in the wind; then, the soap tanks had been tipped, spilling a viscous, rainbow-streaked mess that clung to the concrete for hours. The car wash hummed with a nervous undercurrent, regulars clustering in hushed tones, speculating about curses or gang retribution. Alex wiped his calloused hands on his worn jeans, the cold bite of his probation anklet a constant tether to his fragile freedom since turning in Tommy’s ledger.

Chapter 2: Maria’s Beacon

Maria approached, her footsteps a soft rhythm against the chaos, her cross necklace glinting like a lighthouse in the morning sun. “This isn’t random, Alex,” she said, her voice a steady anchor. She handed him a broom, her weathered hands trembling slightly. “God’s testing us, refining us like gold in the fire. But He’s guiding us too—trust in His plan.” Her eyes, warm yet piercing, held a faith Alex envied but couldn’t fully grasp. He nodded, forcing a tight smile, though doubt coiled in his gut. The smuggling ring he’d helped expose wasn’t done with him, and his newfound faith—sparked by late-night Bible readings—felt like a flickering candle against a storm.

Chapter 3: Shadows of Doubt

That afternoon, Alex stayed late, helping Maria reorganize the repair schedule amidst the debris. The bays were a battlefield of suds and grime, the air thick with the tang of cleaning agents. He scrubbed a stubborn stain on the concrete, the repetitive motion a strange comfort, his mind drifting to Psalm 23. The verse about walking through the valley of the shadow of death had become a mantra, its words a shield against his unease. He murmured it softly, the sound lost in the hum of the pressure washers, but the peace was fleeting. A sharp crash shattered the stillness—a rock hurled through the office window, skittering across the linoleum with a grating scrape.

Chapter 4: The Threat Unfolds

Alex’s heart slammed against his ribs as he unfolded the note tied to the rock, the ink smudging under his sweaty fingers. Back off, or the next one’s you, it read, a cold promise in jagged handwriting. He fumbled for his phone, dialing Detective Lena Cruz with shaky hands. She arrived within the hour, her flashlight slicing through the dim office, casting long shadows. Her face was etched with fatigue, new lines creasing her brow. “This ties back to the ring,” she said, her voice a low growl as she sealed the note in an evidence bag. “They’re using the car wash as a front—laundering money through inflated repairs.”

Chapter 5: The Trap is Set

“They want you scared or silenced,” Cruz continued, studying him. “We need to draw them out. Stage a fake repair job, let them think you’re back in the game to skim profits.” Alex hesitated, the idea churning his stomach. He’d promised Maria a clean path, and his probation officer, Hargrove, was a hawk. But waiting for the next threat wasn’t viable. “Okay,” he said hoarsely, “but I need backup.” Cruz nodded, promising a discreet team, her radio crackling as she coordinated. Alex felt the weight of his decision, his faith tested as he prayed silently for guidance.

Chapter 6: Jay’s Secret

The next day, a teen named Jay lingered by the bays, his wiry frame hunched as he kicked at a puddle. Jay, a regular at Maria’s outreach, had grown quieter, his glances darting. “You see who did this?” Alex asked, nodding toward the sedan. Jay shook his head too quickly. Later, a burner phone slipped from Jay’s jacket, its screen glowing with a text: Keep watching Rivera. Report back tonight. “Jay,” Alex said softly, holding it up. The teen’s face crumpled, tears streaking through grime. “They made me,” he whispered. “Said they’d hurt my little sister, Lila.”

Chapter 7: A Plan Takes Root

Alex brought Jay to Maria, who listened with a mother’s patience, praying aloud: “Lord, protect this child and his sister.” She quoted Matthew 18:6 about protecting the innocent, and Jay nodded, sniffling. They devised a plan: Jay would feed the ring false info about a midnight cash drop. Alex prepped the bay, rigging a decoy cash box with marked bills, the paper crisp under his fingers. As he worked, he recited Psalm 91—“He will cover you with His feathers”—the words a shaky shield against his rising fear, his faith a fragile thread.

Chapter 8: The Midnight Ambush

Midnight descended, the lot cloaked in darkness broken only by the neon “Open 24/7” sign’s amber glow. Alex hid behind a pillar, Cruz’s team out of sight. Two hooded figures approached, one with a crowbar. As they reached for the cash, sirens erupted. The taller figure bolted, vanishing into shadows, but the burly man—Vince—swung the crowbar, grazing Alex’s shoulder. He grabbed a hose, suds spraying wildly, blinding Vince as Cruz tackled him. Cuffs clicked, and Vince spat, “You’re dead, Rivera!”

Chapter 9: A Moment of Grace

Breathing hard, Alex sank onto the curb, pulling out his Bible to Romans 8:28. The verse about all things working for good felt tangible—Jay was safe, Vince was talking, the ring unraveling. But the escaped man loomed. Maria joined him, handing him a towel. “God’s not done with you yet,” she said. He wiped his face, a faint smile breaking through, the suds washing away more than dirt—a flicker of purpose ignited within him.

Chapter 10: The Shadow Deepens

The next morning, a package thudded onto the counter—torn paper stained with oil. Inside were photos: Maria’s house with a knife mark on the door, and Lila in the yard, a red circle around her head. Alex’s blood ran cold, showing it to Maria. “They know where you live,” he said, panic rising. Her face paled, but she prayed softly. The fight was far from over, the shadows closing in.

To be continued in Book 3…

Thanks for reading! What do you think Alex should do next? Drop a comment below and check back for the next book on ricestreetcarwash.com!