Haggis had kept his eyes on the rearview mirror for hours. He couldn’t spot anybody following him. Unless they just started using different cars.
They should. He wasn’t a big fan of Mopar. The starters always sounded like a dying camel, even when new.
Jeanette was a Chevy gal. A guy could get behind that. His old square body was testament to that. She had complimented it more than once. Even walking down the side and running her finger along the panel. She couldn’t believe how straight it was.
Most women just said it was neat.
He stopped at a truck stop with a Hill of Beans in it. As good a place as any for a fill-up and a snack. Maybe a cold brew coffee with Italian cream.
The only modern concessions he had made for the truck was a Bluetooth adapter so the GPS on the phone could run through the stock speakers, and a hard bed cover. A great place to lock up anything valuable. They said it helped with aerodynamics, but he wasn’t convinced.
The math on the miles per gallon never changed after installing it. Just looked good.
He topped her off with gas and went inside for some powdered Donettes. He hated how he looked like it had been snowing in his beard every time he ate them, but they were his favorites. Add in any kind of coffee, and a guy was in heaven.
His phone rang on his way back to the truck, and he jogged to get his armful on the hood. Balanced the cold brew up near the cowl so it wouldn’t tip over or slide off.
Fished the phone out and grinned in surprise. He answered, “Hey, lady.”
“Hey,” she said.
“Did you meet with Stan?”
“I did. Do you have time to talk?”
He nodded as he scooped up snacks and threw them into the open window. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I’m on a break while Stan gets his next clue.”
“So you believe him?”
“I don’t know, but I believe you.”
He grabbed the coffee. Climbed in but left the door open to scoop in some breeze. “But he could have lied to me, though.”
She laughed. “I told myself the same thing, but …”
“He seems to mean it, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. And I don’t usually get taken in by a sob story … well, a man’s sob story anyway. But I don’t know. I don’t not believe him, I guess.”
“That’s a start, right?”
“Well, no. The start is at the bank, where the evidence is. Then we can all get together. I can confirm that last piece of the puzzle. Build the case Mallory Black has been working on. Flood the airwaves and Internet with it. Watch the fallout. Maybe save a life or two while we’re at it.”
Haggis grinned as he tore open the first package of Donettes. “That doesn’t sound all bad.”
“It could sound better.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Well, we might see each other sooner than later.”
“How so?”
“Stan got me a room here. A kind of open-ended invitation to sit and wait while he continues west. I figured I might take him up on that. You know … I’m just lonely.”
“It’s tough being alone,” he said.
“Yeah, it is. But what I’m saying is maybe I don’t have to be.”
He suddenly realized what she was saying. Choked down a dry swallow of powdered donut. “We just met. We’re practically strangers.”
“I know. But what little I know about you I like. You can leave now. Knock on my door in the morning. Room 403. We’ll have mimosas by the pool.”
She was breathless. Like she couldn’t believe she had said it. He took another drink of coffee before responding. “Well, I have a confession. I already packed a bag. Left about four hours ago.” Before she could think he was making a big assumption, he said, “I just wanted to be in position in case anybody needed me. I want to help. I’m just tired of being alone.”
“That’s what I said.”
“I know. But I guess I don’t have to be?”
“You said we were strangers. Hardly know each other.”
“Yeah, but what little I know, I like a lot.”
“Then say yes.”
“I guess I already did. But it’ll be way before morning.”
“Knock on my door any time.”
He paused in thought. Listened to her breathe like a teenager talking to his girlfriend. “If Stan is trying to take down a child abuse sex ring that goes all the way to the Senate, there might not be any money coming into Ossi-Pro anymore. A guy will be jobless.”
“Haggis. If Stan is trying to take down a child abuse sex ring that goes all the way to the Senate, I think you’ll be too busy trying to stay alive to worry about your job.”
He laughed as he pulled the door shut. Then his laughter died when he thought about her running for her life too. He sobered further when he started the engine. “Can you wait for me before you start running for your life?”
“I’m the one that made the invite.”
“Then I accept.”
“I’m glad.”
And he sat listening to her breathe again. “Should I call when I get close?”
“Just knock. I’ll be awake.”
“Then I better get back on the road.”
“Then I’ll let you.”
The sound of the connection closing was like a door shutting him into a dark room.
He pulled out of the truck stop with excitement in his foot. Pressing too close to the firewall. Had to back her off a little as his excitement overtook his dread.
He felt like a kid again, waiting for the morning to come so his old man would take him to the fair.
He thought about his rifle in the bed. He used her plenty. In defense of his own life. In defense of his country.
He wondered what it would be like to use in defense of a loved one. He’d have to fall in love first. He grinned as he opened her up on the interstate.
One thing at a time, but if he did fall in love, he might have to get the rifle out.
He hoped not. But deep down … maybe.