Chapter 3 -- JUPBQLBAFLVEUBWKE
The sun was bright but not uncomfortably so as Carter walked outside the walls
for the first time in seven years. The final stop was a sally port in the last wall before
the fence.
In his usual manner, he hadn't exchanged a word with his escorts since the release
processing was done. He had learned early in his incarceration that prison guards
were mostly among the lowest forms of human life. The large woman on one side of
him hadn't said anything, the man had mostly simply limited his conversations to
instructions, but Carter had made it clear that his mood was not the relief, happiness,
or other emotions departing prisoners might exhibit, but a deep simmering rage.
Outside the gate, he saw a man across the road waving. It was Tommy, and a woman
standing beside him. The guards had gone back inside and closed the gate, so Carter
walked across the road to there they were.
Tommy hadn't changed much, except for getting older. He was only a year older than
Carter, but he looked older. Somewhat of a biker, although not a member of any club
as far as Carter knew, he had a look like that of the guys seen in groups of Harleys
on the roads. Long greying hair curling down over his collar, and a generous
mustache extending over the corners of his mouth gave him a slightly sinister
appearance, but the eyes indicated otherwise.
The woman was much younger, probably not even forty. Her athletic build was not
emphasized by her outfit of jeans and sweatshirt, but it was apparent in her
movements and her physical fitness reflected in her face.
He shook Tommy's outstretched hand, and the noticed the woman had also extended hers.
"Before I tell you how good it is to see you, let's get the introductions out of the
way," Tommy said. "This is my sister Jessica. Jessica, this is Darrell. I rode my bike down,
and Jessica came in her car. Since you'll be riding with her, we won't get much
talking in on the way, but that can wait."
"Where are we going?" asked Carter.
"It's a good drive," said Tommy. "As late as it is we'll stop along the way, and you
can wash off the prison junk, get some new clothes and some decent food. Sound good?"
"Sounds good to me."
"OK, then. Let's get on the road."
They were in the parking lot, about half of the spaces occupied. Carter followed
them to where the only motorcycle in the lot was parked. Jessica unlocked a rather
old Ford Taurus. He noticed, however, that from its condition it did not appear to
be the almost thirty years old it had to be. It was a medium blue, as many thousands
of Tauruses must have been in those years.
He walked around to the passenger side and got in, as he heard Tommy start his
bike. Jessica was quiet as they followed Tommy out of the lot and onto the highway.
Carter was silent, letting her concentrate on driving until she was ready to talk.
Before long they were entering a four-lane road that promised a reasonable length
of uneventful driving time.
Jessica turned to look at him for the first time. "We have a little time before we
stop," she said. "How do you feel, aside from wondering what's happening? As in,
being free?"
"Anything is better than where I was," he replied. "Since you and Tommy seem to
have some sort of plan, and I have none, I'm in your hands."
Jessica smiled. "Hopefully you'll like it. Tommy said he gave you only a vague hint.
Actually, trying to explain would take a while, so once we get stopped for the night
we can start to fill you in. But first, we need to get rid of the last of the prison
stuff. We'll stop in while, get hotel rooms, and some clothes for you, and then some
decent food."
"How far are we going?" asked Carter.
"Up north. You know where Chillicothe is?"
"That's way up north."
"We'll stop just the other side of Springfield, spend the night there, and leave
in the morning. Springfield is just ahead."
As she spoke Carter noticed a sign informing them it was in fact, 21 miles ahead.
"Can you give me clothing sizes? Jeans, shirts and shoes. I'm fairly certain you
don't want to be in what the prison gave you any longer than you have to."
They were maintaining a constant distance behind Tommy, and Jessica flashed the
headlights several times, and shortly Tommy slowed and stopped on the side of
the highway.
Jessica dialed his number, and had a brief conversation. She asked him to stop when
he saw an exit for a shopping center that would have what they wanted, and they
moved out again.
"Tommy can't talk while riding, and as for me I scrupulously obey the law. We avoid
even the most minor traffic infractions. Not drawing attention to ourselves is
absolutely essential."
"Hence the thirty year old car that runs like a new one?" Carter asked.
Jessica smiled. "You catch on fast. Tommy said you were unusual. And smart."
Tommy was at the moment signalling a turn onto the upcoming exit. Jessica
followed, and shortly they entered a small shopping center dominated by a Wal-Mart
store, and the usual array or smaller businesses around the large parking lot.
"I won't be long," Jessica said. "What sizes do you need?"
"Pants 34 waist, 35 inseam. Shirts XXL, shoes 10." said Carter.
"Got it," said Jessica. "You guys can talk for a while."
Tommy got into the driver's seat and closed the door.
"I suppose you're wondering what's going on," he said. "I won't get much explained
right now, but I've become involved in something that I hope will interest you, and
it needs you. It also involves having a job, with decent income, right out of the box.
"For now, let me say that there are some other people who share you thoughts about
what is going on in the world, and there are some who have the resources and the
inclination to do something about it.
"As for success, who knows? We can only try, do our best. Tomorrow you'll meet
some more interesting people, and learn more about it."
Tommy paused briefly, then asked. "Are your plans still what you used to say. Going
after the ones who put you away?"
"Does this have anything to do with me being offered another chance at having some
kind of life?"
"Well," Tommy said, "the plans I'm talking about are a little bigger than revenge for
one man."
"What about justice?" Carter asked.
"What if you could help get justice for a lot more people? I mean a big picture
reform, taking down not just one corrupt prosecutor, but the whole rotten crop of
politicians and their enablers. It might even get your prosecutor. He's running for
senator, so he's a big fish now."
"That figures," said Carter. "Wonder how many people he railroaded into prison to
enhance his resume. Maybe a child abuse witch hunt, or are they still doing those?"
"He didn't have much in the way or really big cases, not on a national scale like
yours. Not that we don't still have major crimes. A big one he had just before he
became attorney general was a mass murder, don't know if you heard about it."
"I didn't pay much attention to what was going on outside," Carter said . "Wasn't my
world any more."
"Well," said Tommy , "it was the usual stuff. Political crimes didn't get prosecuted, or
usually even investigated, because there's no opposition. Once they got to one party
controlling everything, they just do as they please."
"Just out of curiosity," said Carter, "what happened with the murder?"
"Just a home invasion and robbery. Except the two young couples in the house
weren't just killed. They were tortured, raped and whatever all else you can do, over
a period of eight hours or so."
"Only problem was the victims were, shall I say, too light in color. The perps weren't.
You can guess how that went. But he got a lot of TV time out of it..
"I can imagine," said Carter. "Nothing changes, except to get worse."
They sat silently for a few minutes, and soon Jessica returned, pushing a shopping
cart. She removed several large bags and placed them in the back seat, while
Tommy got out and mounted his bike and soon they were on their way.