Excerpt-The Chase

Doug tightened his grip on the steering wheel as the Range Rover barreled down the hill towards a hairpin curve in the highway. Once again, he pumped the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to engage. Doug lowered his right hand and groped between the bucket seats for the emergency brake lever, peering at the reflection of the horse trailer in the exterior mirror.

"Hold on, Chancellor," he murmured, bracing himself for a jolt as he pressed the brake-release knob and yanked up on the handle.

Nothing happened.

Doug lowered the lever and pulled again.

Still nothing.

Doug slid his right hand under the dash and felt for the trailer's brake control, praying that the trailer brakes would be strong enough to stop the rig. His fingers brushed against the plastic box, and he fumbled for the brake switch, holding the steering wheel tightly as he pressed the button.

Nothing.

Doug jabbed at the button again. Twice. Three times. But the trailer brakes didn't engage.

"Damn it!" He released the button and slammed his fist into the steering wheel. What the hell was going on?