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I slung my duffel into the backseat and slipped into Johnny’s car.

He was parked in front of a gate at the rear of the property that offered access to the gardener’s shack. The real estate manager had provided me with a key, in large part because the gate was not within eyesight of the building’s main entrances and thusly afforded unnoticeable egress.

I ducked down as Johnny stepped on the gas and swept us away from the building before any of the media throngs could react.

“What’s with the duffel?” Johnny asked.

“I’ll tell you when we get there.”

“Get where?”

“The courthouse.”

“That’s where I’m taking you?”

“And hopefully a whole lot faster, too.”

We slipped into the underground parking garage and headed for my office, where Marsha Russo joined us.

“I’m taking a sabbatical,” I announced.

“You’re what?” Marsha exclaimed.

“I’m going to disappear for a while.”

“Disappear where?”

“Wherever the four winds blow.”

“Does he know?” Johnny asked.

“He will in about twenty minutes.”

“He won’t be happy.”

“He’ll get over it.”

“I’m serious, Buddy. Why are you doing this?”

“Between us, my head hurts. It was one thing when the old man’s trajectory was a straight line to his destiny. Now that it’s uncertain, which, by the way, pleases me no end, I see an opening for a little offline reflection.

“He won’t understand, but in truth, this ride I’m on has no boundaries. No time constraints. No respite. So, before I go completely bonkers, I’m going to seize the moment and get off it for a spell.

“In the words of Ayn Rand, I plan to examine my premises and pray I find answers that will enhance my prerogatives.”

Johnny and Marsha exchanged glances.

“For how long?” she asked.

“Not long.”

“And you’re dropping this hotcake onto my lap,” Johnny said.

“Life’s a bitch, ain’t it?”

I found him in his office, seemingly robust, the beneficiary of the experimental drug regimen. “My son the headliner,” he joshed.

“The reluctant headliner.”

“You’ve become a local legend, Buddy. It’s time to accept it and allow fate to embrace you.”

“No.”

“What no? You’re on a trajectory straight to Sacramento.”

“No.”

“I’m serious, Buddy. There’s talk of you succeeding the Governor.”

“I have no interest in becoming Governor. Or of holding any elected office, for that matter. I came here to assist you, and now that you’re doing so well, I’m heading off for a little R and R, rest and reconsideration.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have to get away from this circus, Dad. From the politics and the unwanted attention. I watched a corrupt Russian opioid purveyor, whom I jumped through hoops to apprehend, make bail for some cockamamie political reasons and then predictably flee the country.

“I saw a Sheriff’s Department deputy blow his brains out as a means of achieving revenge against me for uncovering the fact he was a psychotic serial killer.

“Frankly, it’s worn me out. So, I’m done for a while. When I agreed to come here I had no idea what I was in for.”

“You can’t be serious, Buddy.”

“I’m serious.”

“But surely you’ll come back once this episode of yours calms down.”

“It’s likely.”

“But not certain.”

“Fairly certain.”

“But not wholly.”

When I said nothing, he went on. “What will I do without you?”

I knew it was only a matter of time before it became about him.

“Johnny’s here,” I said by way of mollification. “And, in the long run, he’s far better suited for the job than I.”

“That’s a load of crap and you know it.”

“Maybe. But that’s how I see it.”

“What if I insisted you stay?”

“Wouldn’t make any difference.”

The old man remained silent.

“I love you, Dad. More now than ever. You’re in the best shape you’ve been in for a while. Everyone here adores you and you have an excellent staff. Run your show. Because that’s what it is. Your show.”

“How will I find you?”

“Cell phone.”

“And you’ll answer it?”

“I promise.”

I stood as did he. We embraced. There were tears in both of our eyes. I gripped his hand and kissed his cheek.

Then I hurriedly left the office and raced down to the car park where Johnny was waiting.

He revved the engine as I climbed in. “How did it go?”

“He knows.”

“And he’s okay with it?”

“Let’s just say he knows.”

The gloom of the garage gave way to bright sunshine as we sped away from the courthouse. “Where to?” Johnny asked.

“Freedom.”

“The airport or the state of mind?”

“Both.”