I looked away from him, then back. “Yeh, guess I did forget to tell him how that happened.”
Dave chuckled, and started for the door. “Sounds like a good story to keep me entertained during a long drive.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
As promised, I was keeping Dave alert while he drove towards Wildacres. “…And when I found out what was on the thumb drive, I naturally called the Geek Squad in to help me suck the money out of Willie’s accounts. The forty mil was a bonus.”
Dave cast a glance of admiration towards me. “Jee-sus, man, you sure know how to fall into piles of money. You always get this kind of change dropped in your pocket?”
“Well–according to my partners back at T&M Security I’ve had more than my fair share of luck in that department. But it always seems to come with too many problems.”
“Like this time,” Dave said with a grimace. “Hey, was it Exit 85 I’m supposed to take? Think it’s just ahead.”
I sat up and re-focused my attention. “Yeah, towards Marion. You want me to drive?”
“No, I’m fine. A cuppa coffee would be nice, though.”
I nodded. “Sounds good.”
It was a half-hour until dinner when we pulled into the parking lot at Wildacres, which was still two-thirds full of vehicles. “Looks like more than just John and his buddies stayed,” I said.
“You know how writers are, can’t pass up a good plot. And I’ll bet most of them have new stories from what’s happened.”
John strode through the lobby’s double doors, a smile on his face. “Welcome back. Sounds as if you two scored a few points on your trip.”
I managed not to wince at the force of his grip when we shook hands. “Good to be back. We in time for supper?”
He chuckled, guiding us back into the lobby. “Another twenty minutes. You feel up to telling everyone what happened on your trip? We’ve heard some of the story, but most was probably rumor. Cops have been known to stretch the truth on occasion.”
“Sure, be glad to.” My smile grew. “In fact, Dave’d be happy to tell the whole story. Wouldn’t you, Dave?”
Dave’s eyes widened. “Er–of course.”
By the time we’d gotten settled into easy chairs in front of the fire place that dominated the room, fifty people had trickled in and noisily seated themselves. I leaned over to Dave. “Just give ‘em a quick rundown of what happened at the house, and the drugs. No use burdening them with the rest,” I murmured.
He gave a quick nod, and stood. “Hi. For those who didn’t meet me before, I was in John’s class. When the assholes came here a few days ago looking for Francis, we were able to find out some information from one of the survivors…”
As he was winding down, the dinner bell rang. John stood, waving for everyone’s attention. “Okay, folks, let’s hold our questions until after we get these two starving wretches fed.”
It seemed but a minute passed and dinner was over. Ten of the students had joined Sammy’s staff to help clean up. John, Dave and I had the chore of taking the wine and beer from the back of my SUV, and relocating it to the break room in the basement of the building next to the lobby. Once finished, John crooked his finger at me.
“That was a good summary of what happened since you left. But what caused that crew to chase you up here?” He indicated some chairs in a corner of the room. “Everyone’ll be showing up in a minute. Want to relax a minute, get your thoughts in order?”
We settled in, and Dave gave me a questioning look. “I know a little about why they’re so pissed at you, but not everything.”
“You’re right,” I said, pausing to order my thoughts. I guess a good place to start is at the beginning of all this.”
* * *
Breakfast next morning was a slow affair, since everyone stopped by our table to wish us well. Even Sammy came out of the kitchen, a sack of sandwiches clutched in one hand.
“Thought y’might appreciate this in your travels, gentlemen. I expect to see you next year.” With that he was gone.
Dave looked after him, eyebrows rising. “I do believe Sammy’s going to miss us. Even after all the grief we brought down on this place.”
I was stuffing the last of my gear in a bag when John showed up, out of breath. “Glad I caught you. Just got off the phone with the local Sheriff’s office. They waylaid three men headed this way last night. They were well-armed, to include some illegal weapons.”
I felt my face tighten up. “Damn it! I should’ve thought…”
“Taken care of,” John said. “We’ve been having a couple of us pull security every night since you left. Even with the police on alert, thought it’d be a good idea. And before you ask, several of the men that come up here usually pack some type of weapon in their vehicle. I suspect some of the ladies do, too.”
He waved a hand in a throwing away gesture. “However, the main reason I told you this is because those three are going to be released at noon. Legal technicality, apparently.” He handed me a slip of paper. “Here’s the phone number of one of the deputies. I told him you’d call once you left here. Thought y’might want to follow those guys. Maybe lead you to who keeps trying to get their hands on you.”
Once finished packing, we were on our way. But now, instead of the airport, it was to the county lock-up in the town of Marion.
* * *
I pulled into the half filled parking lot next to the prison, a deputy’s vehicle close behind. “Hope that’s the deputy we just called,” I said.
Dave chuckled. “Getting a little paranoid, are we?”
By the time I’d stopped and rolled down my window, the deputy had swung his vehicle around and parked so he could talk without getting out of
