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“You idiot.” It’s all she gets out, and then she throws the last of the food into the bag at her feet.
* * *
With everything in the trunk of the car, Cassie securely in the front seat, I give the car one last check for bugs, trackers, or anything that the agency has planted on it. Not that we will be in it for long.
Getting to the end of the driveway, I pull the car to a stop just on the edge of the road. Jumping out, I reach into the bush and pull the thin clear piece of fishing line across the drive and attach it to the trip mechanism I had installed. It will ping on my phone the moment they arrive at the house looking for us.
Slamming the door, I plant my foot on the accelerator, and we take off down the road.
“What was that?” Cassie quietly whispers.
“An insurance policy.” I watch every parked car to see if one pulls away from the curb or for any random people sitting in them. I wouldn’t put it past Rocket to already have agents here, knowing I would run. The main roads have agents that have been there all along in case I needed them, but I purposely take a little side track between two properties that brings me onto the next street over. They won’t see me leave, which again, is another poor placement by the agency. The agents should have been closer, but I didn’t change it once I arrived, knowing I wanted to be able to leave undetected if needed. I just had a feeling from the beginning this wasn’t going to end well. That’s why I had a plan in place.
The quicker I can change cars and directions the better. I don’t know if it’s from fear or if Cassie just knows I need to concentrate, but she’s stays quiet, and her head is swiveling around looking at everything too. Although I don’t want her stressed or to have to take any of this on her shoulders, the more eyes the better right now.
It’s been about thirty minutes since we left the safe house, so I figure it’s time to change cars. We are in an old rundown country town where I’m guessing money will talk. I spot the biker bar on the outskirts of town that I researched when I first arrived at the safe house. It pays to know what’s around you, and looking at this building, I know we have found the perfect place.
“What are we doing?” The quavering in her voice tells me she’s apprehensive.
“Time to swap our wheels.” Grabbing her phone out of my pocket, I dial my number, and the call cuts into my earpiece.
“Keep this call open, doors locked, don’t talk to anyone, and you tell me the moment you think something is wrong. There is a gun in the glove compartment. Don’t be afraid to use it.” The way her face pales instantly at the word gun has my heart thumping. I need to make this quick.
“I’ll be fast.” I can’t hesitate, we need to keep moving. Putting my jacket on to conceal my guns, a cap on my head, and I’m out the door, locking it behind me.
Knowing she can hear everything I’m saying, Cassie is about to learn what our life is going to become. She hates secrets and lies with a passion, but it’s what’s going to keep us alive.
Opening the door to the bar, the stench of stale beer hits me like a brick wall, almost knocking me backwards, while I take my first breath of the smoky haze that fills the room. The predictable bar is in front of me. The regulars are taking up stools at the bar, one guy’s head so low I can’t tell if he is about to fall asleep or pass out. Pool tables to the side of the room, and on the opposite side, a few dartboards on the wall. At the back are the tables where the heavies of this bar are holding court, and all eyes are on me. The stranger in the room. Not wanting to waste time, I know these are the guys I need to talk to. I’m used to dealing with all sorts of people in my job, so they don’t scare me. But what does is Cassie outside on her own.
“You okay?” I talk in the lowest voice I can that she will still hear me.
“Yes.” She doesn’t sound it, but I don’t have time to worry.
“Good girl.”
Taking steps with all the confidence I can muster, I stride to the back of the room.
The biggest guy at the table stands up as I get closer. Arms crossed over his chest, shoulders back, and the toughest look he can manage on his face.
“Got a problem?” His voice is deep, raspy from all his smoking and drinking, I’m guessing.
“Yep. Need help, and I’m willing to pay for it.” Looking around the table, I pick out the boss straight away. Nodding to the muscle to stand down, he looks at me.
“What kind of help we talkin’ about. We don’t break the law.”Bullshitscreams through my head, but I’m playing the game.
“Not expecting you to. I need a reliable car, not flagged in the system for anything, and I need the Toyota outside to disappear.”
“Why?” This guy leans forward and engages me with his body language, his forearms on the table and hands clasped together. He looks me up and down. Everyone at this table is wearing their leather vest with patches all over it.
“Need to keep my old lady safe from some trouble. Government-type trouble.” I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m banking on the fact that they will hate all things authority.
“How much you willing to pay?” the man next to him asks, must be the second-in-command, and the side scowl from the boss tells me he’s not impressed that he asked before he did.
I keep my eyes firmly on the boss, showing him respect, since he’s expecting that I’m dealing with him.
“Twenty K cash, unmarked.” I reach into my pants pocket where I stashed it earlier. There’s more cash in one of the other pockets if I need, but never show your full hand straight-up.
“What makes you think we won’t just take that cash and put you on your ass out that door right now, with nothing to show for it except bruised ribs?” The boss’s look is intense, trying to scare me.
