Scaling the Mesh Net

I scrambled straight off the center armrest and took a running dive across the gap into the back seat! My sneakers hooked right onto the taut elastic cord of the front passenger seatback net. Without thinking twice, I treated the crisscross nylon mesh like an outdoor climbing wall and hoisted myself up rung by rung. Halfway to the top, my boot slipped through a diamond gap, leaving me dangling by two hands like a total goof! I swung my legs right back around, hauled my elbows over the stiff top band, and peeked inside. Tucked in the dark bottom fold was a sleek metallic ballpoint pen with a clicky button on top—prime territory staked.