Max pulled into the right lane at the Highway 41/45 split as he listened to the country music station. He had another fifteen miles to go before he reached North Bend. Max perked up when the traffic slowed on Highway 45 about three miles out of the city limits. Unless there was an accident, that was unusual. He had already passed St. Joseph Community Hospital, and no ambulance had sped by on the opposite side of the highway. Something was up. Max could smell it. He squinted through the smoke-stained windshield.
“Damn smokers.” He pulled out a rag that was jammed in the fold of the bench seat and wiped the window. “There, that’s better.” He scowled at the yellow residue on the rag and tossed it to the floor. “Disgusting habit.” He returned his focus to the road. Squad car red and blues flickered ahead of him in the distance. “Think you’re so smart, don’t you, Jade? Setting up roadblocks just for me? You should be setting up a welcoming committee.” He laughed loudly as he cut east on Rusco Road, a quiet two-lane country road that nobody was monitoring. “This will take me where I want to go, anyway.”
Max turned left when he reached County Highway G. The old farmstead was two miles ahead of him. He hadn’t been back since the day he was ordered off the property and the Swedish megastore took possession. He wouldn’t chance getting too close while workers were still in the area. From a half mile away, he could see the enormous building being erected. The street leading into the parking lot and most of the infrastructure were already in place. A large sign at the next intersection showed an arrow and the words Future Home of IPEL, Opening Soon.
Max pounded his fist on the steering wheel. “That was my farm, the only home I’ve ever known. It’s time to pay for taking it away from me.”
He cranked the wheel, causing the truck to jerk to the right. He knew where to wait, and he’d move in once darkness took over. Max drove to the back side of the hundred-acre parcel. The old dirt tractor path was still there, and he pulled in. He hid the truck within the brush and killed the engine. He set the phone alarm for seven thirty and closed his eyes.