by Shawn Keys
True to the sign, the overhang of a gas station came into view with an awning of a restaurant tucked in behind it. It looked pleasantly normal, typical of a small town no different than a thousand others like it. The restaurant was named ‘Marion’s’, and a sign declared that the brunch special included unlimited coffee. That was enough to win Kyle over.
He angled off the road and pulled up to a pump, shutting off the engine once in position. He stretched in his seat. This stretch of driving had been nearly four hours, and he was feeling the cramps from not moving. If there was one good thing about being in exile at the chalet, it was that days were rarely boring, and you never spent any of those days sitting in one place, trapped in an office. There were always chores to do, even with a modern chalet like theirs.
Chloe tugged the latch and nudged the door open with her foot. “I’m not ready to go sit down again. You three go get a table. I’ll pump the gas and meet you inside.” She was originally from the same town as Kyle, but she had picked up a touch of a southern drawl from her time at the University of Texas. Along with that, she had embraced a natural, uncomplicated sort of common sense that was a trademark of good people from those parts. As such, her ideas were generally easy to embrace.
Dazz had pulled her headphones off when she noticed they were stopping. She pried herself out of the back, not quibbling about what Chloe said. Jackie said, “Thanks,” then tromped over toward the diner entrance.
Kyle tossed Chloe the keys. “Not a lot of traffic around here, but they will probably appreciate if you cleared the pumps once you’re done.”
Chloe smiled. “No problem.” She had driven a couple of shifts and was comfortable with the car.
Kyle gave a wave, then trailed after Jackie into the diner. They gathered next to the counter. It had been a while since they had been to anything like a restaurant. Normally, they didn’t dare give anyone that sort of chance to remember them in the countryside near to their chalet.
A friendly woman with rosy cheeks waved at them from deeper in the restaurant. There was only one other couple being served. “You don’t have to wait to be seated. Just pick wherever you want and I’ll be with you shortly.”
Kyle returned a friendly nod. “Thank you, Ma’am.”
“I need to stop in the restroom,” Jackie said. “I’d say a seat near the window?”
Kyle nodded. Not that he was all that paranoid, but… yeah. Being able to see outside was a good idea. Dazz was flickering through her phone in a preoccupied way, loving the freedom to be able to browse the internet again on one of their burner phones. She didn’t seem to have an opinion one way or the other.
As Jackie peeled off, Kyle led the way over to a booth near the windows. The waitress came by, and her nametag declared her to be Marion. Kyle didn’t ask if she was the owner or if it was just a coincidence. He smiled pleasantly, ordered coffee for all of them including Chloe, and began to prowl through the menu.
* * *
Gas chugged through the hose as Chloe kept the trigger clutched. She leaned casually against the side of the station wagon, tapping the ground with low-heeled, rosewood colored cowboy boots peeking out from under her jeans.
Gravel crunched behind her. Chloe tensed as she saw a brown-and-white police cruiser with ‘Sheriff’ markings pull into the next section of pumps, lining up to get filled. The passenger door opened, letting a tall, powerful man exit. He had a deputy’s badge on his chest, paused long enough to toss a cowboy hat on his head, then strode off toward the door with a spring to his step. Either he was naturally happy or he had drunk a little too much water.
Struggling to look casual, Chloe ignored the sign warning her not to use her cellphone within range of the pumps. She fired a text off to Kyle.
Chloe || Sheriff pulled up. Deputy is on his way in. Could be trouble.
Kyle || Any sign of recognition?
Chloe || Not yet. Playing it cool for now.
She tucked the phone away, then kept filling the tank. Whatever happened, they were going to need the gas.
The sheriff walked around the car, pulled open his own tank, and set about getting ready to put gas in. He scanned around, then smiled her way. It was an easy smile, exactly the sort of smile a middle-aged man would flash at a pretty woman like her in tight jeans and a tailored denim shirt. Nothing suspicious in it.
Before the Sheriff could select the grade he wanted, another engine was heard coming around the corner. Gravel crunched again as a black SUV without any clear markings pulled into the driveway. It was a little bulkier than its base model, owing to the armor wrapped around it. Chloe recognized it instantly; it was identical to the FDPC models that the agents who had kidnapped her had used to drive her to the ‘safehouse’.
It was twice as hard for Chloe not to just bolt. Her gas had finished pumping, but she pretended that it was still dribbling out. She didn’t want to move. Her hair was tucked under a cowgirl hat, masking her flow of brown hair, but it felt like such a miserably thin disguise. Fighting to keep any tremors out of her hand, she texted again.
Chloe || Crap. FDPC just pulled up. Probably not good guys.
Kyle || Damn. Guess brunch isn’t going to happen. Hold tight. Deputy is just coming into the foyer.
The SUV settled into the spot just behind the Sheriff’s cruiser. The doors cracked open and two agents emerged in matching black suits. They were both male, one blonde with pale skin and the other a little swarthier with dark hair. Both strong, broad-chested, and athletic.
The one with the darker hair strode over to Sheriff. “Afternoon.”
The Sheriff gave a nod of his head, far less friendly than the greeting he had given Chloe. Distrust lurked behind his face. “What can I do for you, Sir?”
The agent flipped open his credentials. “FDPC. We’re doing a little canvassing in the area, looking for a couple fugitives.”
Giving a grave nod, the Sheriff said, “Yeah, I saw the bulletin come over the fax. You boys been crawling all over my county for two days now. Heard all sorts of complaints from nice families you’ve been bothering. Now, we’re here to cooperate as best we can, but I don’t suppose you’re getting close to being done?”
The blonde agent spent the time they were talking filling up their tank. It didn’t need much. He barely put in five dollars’ worth; it was more an excuse to be doing something than for any real need. His eyes glossed over Chloe…
… then he dismissed her and turned back toward the SUV’s passenger door. He climbed into his seat, settling in to do some sort of routine administration.
Chloe let out a breath she wasn’t aware she had been holding. She knew she wasn’t out of the woods just yet, but the agent hadn’t gone for his gun immediately. If she had been Kyle or Dazz, she was sure the reaction would have been stronger. She wasn’t going to be insulted that she was one of the ‘extras’ who they didn’t recognize on sight.
The dark-haired agent gave the Sheriff his best impression of a comforting smile. It didn’t look natural at all and only served to irritate the Sheriff even more. “These aren’t shoplifters and hooligans. These are murderers and sex offenders, not a word of a lie.”
The Sheriff gave a grim nod. “I hear you. Go on, then. Sooner you’re done looking, sooner you can be out of my hair. Like I said, we’ll help as we can.” It was clear he would help for the sole purpose of getting them out of his jurisdiction. He tossed his head toward the diner. “I’m going to go get myself some eggs. Wife doesn’t let me have bacon at home, so I’m going to cheat on her a little. If you go by my house, hope you keep my little secret. Sound good?”
The agent smirked lightly. He knew he was being mocked. But at least, he wasn’t being blocked. “Of course, Sheriff. You have my word.”
* * *
The Deputy stepped into the restaurant foyer, removing his hat as he’d been taught was polite. Despite his impressive size, he was young. Kyle figured he wasn’t much older than Kyle and his friends. The Deputy gave an enthusiastic wa
ve at Marion.
She grinned at him and said, “I’ll order up your usuals! Five minutes!”
The Deputy called back, “No bacon for the boss! Cheryl will kill me if she finds out.”
“He’ll kill you a lot sooner.” Marion laughed and wandered off into the back.
The Deputy was about to step off towards his normal table when he caught sight of Kyle and Dazz at their table. Kyle didn’t have any illusions about himself. He knew he wasn’t that striking. A nice enough face with a certain roguish charm, but he could be mistaken for a dozen others. Dazz was like a flare in the night. She had a baseball cap tugged over her purple-and-pink hair, but a few tufts of it poked out. Not only that, but she radiated a fuck-off attitude that matched every photograph ever taken of her. She simply couldn’t be mistaken very easily.
The young Deputy froze. His hand was halfway to his radio. He looked equally ready to rush out the door to summon help. Another part of him looked ready to pull his gun and try to apprehend the fugitives he had stumbled upon.
The restroom door behind him cracked. Then, Jackie flowed out right behind the Deputy. Her service pistol was out, as were her own credentials. “Hold it right there, Officer Klein.” She must have noticed his nametag. “We need to have a bit of a chat before you go doing anything stupid.”
Klein’s eyes darted down to her DOJ badge, then met her eyes. “I don’t understand.”
Jackie was gesturing for Kyle and Dazz to come toward her, knowing they were going to have to make a move to leave. Kyle agreed. Sliding from the booth, he walked slowly their way, trying not to startle the Deputy. “This isn’t what it seems.”
Klein blurted, “Why in God’s good name are you with these people?”
Jackie implored him, “You need to think of this as two Federal departments having a bit of a pissing match. Tell me you think of us like so many others. Tell me you call us ‘the fucking Feds’ behind our backs.”
Kyle saw a text on his phone as he came closer, then glanced out the window. “Shit. The Sheriff is coming in, Agent Moraker.” He went with the more official title to keep playing her game. “And the agents aren’t moving yet. This is going to get messy if we don’t do anything.”
“Those agents are about ten steps away from Chloe,” Dazz hissed. “They’re going to recognize her any second.”
Jackie prodded the Deputy, “What is your Sheriff going to do when he gets in here?”
Klein set his lips nervously, keeping his hands out to his sides, trying to be non-threatening with Jackie’s gun already out. “Don’t rightly know, Ma’am. Odds are he’ll call on those FDPC types. He’s a good man, but he knows the book. Don’t have any idea why the DOJ is here, but the FDPC asked us for official help. Figure that’s who he’ll give it to.”
Jackie growled. “Well, I hate to say it, but I think your instincts are bang on.” She glanced into the restaurant. There was no sign of Marion, and the couple who were eating hadn’t yet realized there was a quiet stand-off going on. She whispered to Kyle, “I don’t want any blue blood getting spilled.”
Kyle said, “If those agents get called in, we’re all going to start shooting. That’ll make it a bad day for Marion as well.” He glared at the Deputy. “This little place is in your town. Help us keep it safe. We just want to get back on the road.”
Klein’s gaze skittered back and forth between them. “What can I do?”
“I’d accept your word if you give it,” Kyle said. “Tell the Sheriff you want to go somewhere else for breakfast. Get the hell out of here. We’ll wait out the agents. When they drive off, we’ll head on down the road. We’ll never see you again.”
Klein’s lips drew into a tight line. “Why should I believe a thing you say? Report said you killed FDPC agents. Said you might have killed a nice old couple down in Lionsgate.”
Dazz looked ready to snap at him as he talked about her parents.
“You heard Agent Moraker,” Kyle spoke fast, trying to convince him before things got out of hand. “Not everything is how it seems. Listen to us. Do I sound insane? We’re trying to save people here. Trying to keep it all calm.”
The Sheriff was now reaching for the door handle. Jackie eased up, tucking her gun out of sight behind her hip.
Put on the spot, Klein gave a nervous smile. “Hey, umm, look John. I’m not feeling like my usual here anymore. Mind if we head up the road to the pancake house?”
The Sheriff scoffed, “Hell with that! We can get pancakes here. Marion fries them up better than any chain restaurant could. And I’m starving…” His attention slipped over to Dazz’s face and hair. His face scrunched up. “Well, son of a bitch…”
Klein rushed to say, “Don’t do it, John! You don’t get it. That woman there, she’s another Fed –”
John barked out, “Don’t give me that shit, Fred! You know who they are!” His hand went for his weapon.
Jackie was already there, bringing her gun up on aim. She held a hand up to Kyle, stopping him from grabbing out his own pistol, trying to keep it at the level of law enforcement against law enforcement. “Keep it locked up, Sheriff!”
Klein blurted out, “She’s DOJ! I tried to tell you, she’s a Fed!”
Behind them, the couple in the restaurant had finally noticed that things were happening. They started to get agitated.
Kyle saw it happening. He growled at the Deputy, “Keep them calm or this is going to get out of hand!”
Klein gave a sharp nod, then called out, “Jim. Angie. Just stay over there, alright? We’re just figuring a few things out here. Keep your seats. Everything will be fine.”
Kyle gave him a firm nod of thanks, meaning it.
That didn’t make the Sheriff’s mood any better. “Fred, what are you doing? I’m the law around here!”
Jackie insisted, “These people are under my protection. I’m escorting them, whatever the FDPC says.”
Klein gestured at her. “Like I said, it’s Fed on Fed!”
The Sheriff growled, “Don’t give her the license to do whatever the fuck she wants!” He glared at her. “They’ve got paperwork. You don’t!”
Jackie sighed. “My only concern is having everyone walk out of here alive, Sheriff. Fortunately for you, that includes both you and your Deputy here.” She gestured at a metal railing along the wall. “Switch your radios off. Then, cuff yourselves to that.”
“Are you crazy?”
Seeing what she was doing, Kyle said, “I’ll text Chloe. I’ll get her to pick us up. If we can sneak into the wagon, maybe the agents won’t even see us.”
The Sheriff wanted to tell him not to move, but he was caught. He didn’t know if Jacki would shoot or not.
Jackie pressed the Deputy instead. “Do it, Fred. You want to go home tonight. You want the Sheriff to go home to his wife and answer for the bacon.” Kyle thought she was clever to make the moment human. “We’re not going to hurt you. Not unless those agents out there start shooting and you decide to join them. I’d hate that. Do it, Fred. Lock yourself to that rail. Then, you don’t have to worry about this whole situation anymore.”
Klein swallowed hard. He glanced at his Sheriff, who shook his head tightly. He swallowed again, and said, “Promised your wife I would look after you, John. This is Fed on Fed. Let them sort out their own damned mess.” He reached up and clicked off his radio, took out his weapon and tossed it on a nearby table, then clicked his handcuffs closed. He finished by tossing Jackie his key.
The heart went out of the Sheriff as Klein gave in. His shoulders slumped.
Jackie pressed him. “I know you might be pissed with him. But he’s a smart kid. And today, he’s saving your life, even if you don’t know it.”
The Sheriff’s jaw clenched. “Get the hell out of my county. Don’t show your face here again.” He glared toward Kyle and Dazz. “None of you.”
“Hope we don’t have to,” Kyle said. “Wish I could convince you I’m innocent of what they’re accusing me of, Sheriff. I really do.
But for now, I’ll settle for making sure you’re safe.” He shifted to Dazz and Jackie. “Chloe’s on her way.”
Jackie prompted the Sheriff. “Now or never, Sheriff. We’re out of time.”
Grouchy, but not about to die for this, the Sheriff followed the same steps his Deputy had done. He gave Klein a dark look, as if promising to have a long, long talk later.
Jackie smiled. “You’re making the right call. Listen to me. You’re making the right call. I’m bringing these two in for questioning. They have some hard answers to give, and I’m not letting any witnesses die.”
The Sheriff growled. “Criminals.”
“Maybe. But they’re surrendering voluntarily. My authority. The FDPC are angry about their agents, and they would just gun them down. You’re doing the right thing.”
The Sheriff didn’t look convinced. His Deputy looked like he wanted to be, but the man was torn either way.
In the end, Kyle knew it didn’t matter. We have to get the hell out of here. Come on Chloe. Now’s the time!
* * *
Agent Carl Tighe settled into the passenger side seat of the SUV, shifting around so the leather creaked. He opened his tablet and flipped through the list of locations they had yet to visit. It was a spiderweb across the county. Not the most efficient way to do things, but they were trying to introduce an element of randomness to it. Otherwise, word would get around town about where they were going to be. People would conveniently stop being home, and if anyone was hiding Hutchings, they could figure out the search pattern and keep one step ahead.
His partner, Agent Vince Foscar, clouded the front window with some washing fluid, then squeegeed it clear again. The back roads weren’t as miserable with bugs at this time of the season, but the winter was late in coming, so there were a few still floating around to get smashed by windshields.
