James
Still dark. Light around 0700 this time of year. Sleep some more.
He didn't know what time it was when he arrived. A young woman and man about his age had driven him for several hours into
darkness. Out of the car and into the house, still half asleep. Someone had helped him to this room. His boots were off
and his shirt unbuttoned, his belt loosened and jeans unbuttoned and unzipped.
The rendezvous in the park at 0300. Near the time a response to an alarm from his monitor would be slowest. When the doorbell rang he opened the door and went
out, following the dark-clothed pair to a waiting car. Right or wrong in trusting them he was a couple of weeks from the start of a trial that would put him in
prison for years, a guaranteed outcome no matter what the facts. He'd seen it, that cop in Minneapolis, the ones in Houston. If this failed there was always the
Beretta and the Glock - he had acquired the guns long ago and kept them close - they wouldn't be taking him to prison. To the morgue maybe, for sure, but there
would be several cops going with him. Several of his former colleagues, guys who had his back and he had theirs until he was chosen as a sacrifice. Then they
either kept their mouths shut or opened them to say what the state wanted them to say - either way they were no longer his comrades. They were his enemies.
The people he knew only as Jessica and Darrell had set it up during the preceding weeks - he was skeptical but they seemed to be the real deal, wild as it seemed.
There was only one other car - an old Ford Crown Vic. He'd driven a few as they were popular police cars. He ran across the square and got into the car. There
were two people in the front seat - as the driver started the engine and drove away the one in the front seat turned to him...
something in his hand. Shears...
"Quick," the man said. "Cut the ankle monitor off and hand it to me."
James took the shears and cut through the band of the monitor and handed it to the man. They were on a street, moving fast. He leaned back in the seat. The man turned back.
"We switch cars in a couple of miles. This stays in the car and goes towards Texas. That's where they'll track it to."
OK, fine with me. Where am I going?
"I'm Roger," the man said. "Not that we're likely to meet again but that's the way this business is. Jerry is driving us. In about thirty, forty minutes we'll be northeast of
Little Rock. We're gonna stop in a ricefield and let you out. An aircraft will land about that time and we'll wait to see you on board. Got all that?"
Jessica and Darrell had briefed him so all seemed right.
"Got it," he replied.
He leaned back and closed his eyes. Darrell and Jessica had told him that he would be driven out of the city to a remote airfield where an aircraft would be waiting.
So far it seemed to be going according to plan.
Several minutes later the driver stopped at a gas station and convenience store and waited in a corner of the large parking area. Another car approached and the driver
stopped beside them.
"OK, let's go," Roger said. "Leave the bracelet here and get in the other car."
James got out and ran around to the other car where a door was open. He got in and closed the door and they were away.
The new vehicle was a late-model SUV of some sort, to James they all looked alike in the dark. They looked mostly alike in daylight.
Like... hell what am I thinking?
They were on the freeway now, from the location he believed it was I-430. They were going north. A ricefield in northeast Arkansas? Yeah, agricultural area, a cousin lives
in Jonesboro.
Apparently he dozed off but woke when the car stopped and stayed stopped.
"OK man, out you go."
The guy in the passenger seat was standing by the open door. James climbed out. It was near dark, a little moonlight visible filtered through clouds.
"In a few minutes some lights will come on over there," the man said. "Just long enough for a small aircraft to land and take off again. Your mission is to run
like hell that way and climb aboard. You'll be in the air in another couple of minutes."
The man produced a pack of cigarettes and offered it.
"Smoke?"
"Thanks, no."
The man lit one.
"I don't smoke many," he said. "These got a shot of cannabis. Lets you put on an edge for things like this."
These guys smoke pot? While they're working? At least I'm not headed for prison. Not yet anyway.
The lights came on, two rows about a hundred feed apart, stretching a quarter mile or more.
"OK, get ready. Run towards it when it stops."
He barely heard it until it was close but it wasn't difficult to see - a twin-engine that looked like it would carry five or six passengers. As it rolled to
a stop he ran towards it. The doors opened and the
steps were lowered and he climbed aboard.
"Grab a seat and strap in," someone said and the stairs were pulled up.
He sank into the seat and fastened the belt. He was aware that the aircraft was moving but not much else afterwards.
Landing again. He looked out the window, still dark. How long had he been asleep?
Darrell and Jessica were there. Old Ford Taurus, early 1992s but looking to be in good shape. Two new-looking Corvettes.
"C'mon James," Jessica said. "Let's roll."
He followed her and Darrell and got into the back seat. The two Corvettes began to roll and Jessica followed them.
"We've got a long drive," said Jessica. "About four hours. It's the trickiest part. If anyone is looking for you they should be
looking in Texas but we don't want to risk a traffic stop and a cop getting curious. Those two 'vettes will draw attention as we
drive through KC."
"KC?"
"We're leaving Pittsburgh Kansas," Darrell said. "We'll be driving though Kansas City up into northern Missouri. Middle of nowhere."
This is getting weirder and weirder.
"Hop in and hang on," Jessica said. James got in and closed the door, fastened his seat belt.
It was a long dark drive and he dozed off, waking again to lights and noise.
"We're going through KC," Darrell said. "It's a Saturday night so the cops should have plenty to do but we're not taking any chances. The
guys in the 'Vettes are just ahead, driving the speed limit but attracting attention anyway."
"How many Corvettes do you have?" James couldn't resist asking.
"None, actually," Darrell replied. "Our associate, who owns the airfield, has a lot of stuff like that. He helps us out occasionally. We stick
to old stuff like this."
Even in the low light James had noticed that the Taurus looked new for a twenty-something year old vehicle.
"Seems to be in good shape," he said.
"We get them in small batches," Darrell replied. "Mechanical restos, cosmetics so-so. Don't attract attention."
Leaving Kansas City it was dark and light traffic again. James dozed until a sudden change in speed and direction woke him.
"Last leg," Darrell said. They were in another parking lot at another convenience store. He saw the two Corvettes at the gas pumps.
"Their work is done," Darrell said. "It's just a short drive to our destination."
He dozed again. The car stopped again, in the driveway of a house. He got out and followed them inside.
"You're about to pass out," Jessica said. "This way."
Down a hallway, into a bedroom.
"Do you need anything?" asked Jessica.
"Just sleep."
"Cool. Sleep as long as you need to. We'll be here with you and your at least five hundred miles from anywhere anyone looking for you
would think to look for you."
Voices. Jessica and Darrell, the people that brought me here probably.
He was in a king-size bed. He carefully navigated to the edge and swung his legs over and stood up. He didn't bother looking for his
boots but fastened his jeans and buttoned his shirt. He remembered undoing them - he had been partially undressed by a hostess before
when he'd had too much to drink and wouldn't mind of Jessica had done it. Even in the low light most of the time he could see she was
a beautiful woman about his age or a little younger.
What am I doing thinking about good-looking women? Anyone that got me out of what I was in would look good - assuming I'm not getting
into something worse.
He walked down the hallway and saw Jessica and Darrell seated on a couch drinking coffee. They both got up.
"Good morning," Jessica said. "Coffee?"
"Sure. Black is good.