Phantoms Don’t Kill - chapter 4
I dropped Kate off at a launch a few dozen yards from Tex’s. Since I had rented the boat solo, I figured it would attract less attention to return solo. It also gave me a chance to assess Kate’s loyalty. If she had any doubts, she’d run for it. If she trusted me, we’d be walking side by side in a few minutes.
I tied the boat up, grabbed the rod and tackle and stepped into Tex’s shop. “I never needed the backup tank. And the boat is clearn, the fish weren’t biting.”
“Too bad” Tex said.
“I don’t mind. I enjoy spending time on the water.” I said with a smile. Tex handed me the $200 deposit and I thanked him and went out the back door to the street. Kate was just walking by and shot me a smile. She had regained some composure. I took her hand as we walked along. She gave me a questioning look. Looking straight ahead I said “looks more natural don’t you think”. Kate nodded and took my hand with a gentle grip.
We were nearly back to the mall when a long silence was finally broken, kate asked “What now?”
“I’ve been working on that.” I said. “I’m thinking motel or my place. The motel could generate some extra grid data. Cash payment might raise a flag. My place should be safe if we avoid the TV and don’t speak.”
“Why do I trust you?” she asked.
“I’m a trustworthy guy.” I said. “That, and you don’t have a choice.”
“Good point. Your place I guess. I take it you live alone?” Kate asked?
“Yup. I tend to get few visitors, so there should be no surprises.
We climbed into the truck and hit the road. The sun had set. We had the windows rolled down and the cool night air filled the cabin. Kate yawned, moved to the middle of the truck’s bench seat, and leaned against me dozing off.
I was more than curious to know her story, but I figured it would wait. Then my phone rang. I nudged Kate upright and grabbed my phone out of the glovebox. It was Scott. This didn’t bode well.
“Hey man, what you been up to?” he asked casually.
“Not much, how ’bout you?”
“Just watching a show. It was such a long movie I put it on pause and decided to take a break.” As he spoke I heard sirens in the background.
Thinking I had the gist of what he was trying to tell me, I replied “You gotta stop watching those reality shows.”
“I would if I could my good man. But I’m, like, addicted you know? I don’t your kind of will power to stay away from them.” That was as clear a warning as one could expect on a cell phone. Clearly the man was swarming the area near the marina. There were likely to be roadblocks that I did not want to run into.
I changed the subject to some small talk to make sure the call wouldn’t trigger any algorithms on the grid and wished Scott well. I then drove past my exit and headed north for Cocoa Beach. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but a road trip to Cocoa Beach would give me time to think. And time to learn just what Kate was wrapped up in.
“Well, plan B” I said. Kate looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Something triggered a lot of attention back in the neighborhood. Apparently news traveled fast. So tell me, why are so many people looking for you?” I asked.
“It’s a long story.” she said with a sigh.
“We’ve got plenty of time.”
After a pause, Kate said “You gotta believe me, I didn’t kill ‘em.”
This was going to be a long night.
- the MuseTags: phantom
