I let the conversation drop and started planning my next move in my head. My peaceful ride was over, and probably would only get worse the closer I got to my destination. The pipes rumbled louder as I opened the throttle, and roared down the highway at just over 100mph. My adrenaline level rising as fast as the needle on the speedometer.
The plan comes together as the miles pass by. I activate the electronic phone book in my head and call my back-up.
“Rio, you ready to go?”
“I’m always ready…” drawls the smooth southern voice.
A sly grin creeps across my face and I reply, “Besides that, you ready to work?”
“Of course darlin’. Rigs off to the north side of the plaza.”
With a quick look at the map on my heads up display, “Ok, ETA is 5 minutes. Be ready to roll.”
The highway finally makes a gentle curve to the east after God only know how many miles straight as an arrow. Easing off the throttle, I see the fueling plaza a short distance away. I figure I have maybe three or four minutes on my shadow, so everything has to go smoothly. Slowing to enter the large lot, I guide the bike to the back and look for my target. Rio, the only other person on the entire planet I trust, is making this way too easy. Straight ahead is a bright red transport, with the rear doors open and ramp down. I smile to myself and roll into the cavernous trailer. Within seconds the ramp is receding and doors are closing. The kick stand is barely down and the big rig is in motion. Lights come on and I grab the tie downs from the walls and make sure the bike is secure, then make my way to the front of the trailer, and finally into the cab of the truck.
That was way too easy. We make our way out of the lot and onto the Interstate. Even though it seems we’ve easily slipped my pursuers, I still have a nagging feeling crawling up my spine. Something’s not quite right.
Rio looks over and gives me a curious look. “What’s eatin’ you? Got that feeling again?”
“Yeah. Something isn’t right. That was way too easy. Just be ready for anything.”
Activating my comm unit, I call Jitters. “Are the shadows still moving?”
“Weird…no boss they stopped a couple miles from the fueling plaza. The other group is stationary too. Let me see what I can find on the air.”
While Jitters was scanning the cell and communication waves, I tried to think a few steps ahead of my “friends.” What would I do in their position? First thing would be to cut off communications. Second would be to cut off any escape routes. Third, call for backup.
“Looks like the local police force is stopping all traffic in and out of Green River. They’re searching vehicles.”
I look over at my cohort and see a sly smile on her face. “What’s the shit eating grin for?”
“Ah nothin’. I have a plan.” The smile became a full-fledged face-splitting grin. “This is gonna be good!”
“Ah shit. The last time you had a “plan” I ended up with some new scars and a few bullet holes in the bike.”
Rio gave me a playful, hurt look, “That wasn’t my fault! This one is gonna work, and doesn’t require any bullets”
I had to give it to her, her plans usually worked. Maybe not in the fashion originally imagined, but they worked. I had to laugh, which only made her smile bigger. She gave me the rundown of what she had in mind. It sounded pretty simple. I climbed back into the trailer and started putting things in motion.
After waiting in line at the traffic stop for almost an hour, Rio finally eased the big rig up to the check point. A police officer walked up as she rolled down the driver window.
“Step out of the vehicle and open the trailer doors. Leave the cab door open.”
Turning on the charm Rio replied, “Sure thing ma’am.”
She climbed down and walked to the back of the truck. As she unlocked the big swinging doors, she noticed several other “officers” semi-hidden in the trees not far off the road.
“What’s got everyone so tense out here in the middle of nowhere? Someone say a cross word to the gov'nor or somethin'?” she said with a laugh in her voice.
“We’re looking for a fugitive. I need to see your load manifest.”
Rio supplied the paperwork, which was covered in coffee stains, and pointed to the now open trailer, “As you can see, I don’t think anyone would fit back here. I’m carrying a full load of medical supplies. Trailers full from floor to ceiling, and wall to wall.”
The officer looked at the contents suspiciously, then at the paperwork. “The manifest looks legit, and your trailer looks full. I need you to pull forward onto the scales to check the weight”
“Wait a minute, a weight check? I just weighed at the last stop at the state line!” Rio protested.
“Then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about”
Grumbling, Rio walked back to the cab and climbed in. She eased the truck forward onto the mobile scales and stopped. After several minutes, she leaned out the window and found the officer. “How long does it take to weigh a frackin’ truck?? I’m on a deadline, as you can clearly see on the manifest! I gotta get going or I lose my bonus!”
“Cool your jets Miss Jefferson. You’ll get back on the road when we say you can.”
Another half hour had passed when the officer finally stepped up to the truck cab and handed Rio the paperwork back. “You’re clear to go. Scan and weight are clear.”
“Scan? You scanned my truck?? Didn’t I say I was carrying medical supplies?! If anything is damaged from your scan, I’m reporting you!”
The officer looked nonplused. “Your cargo is intact. Move along.”
Rio continued to grumble and curse as she rolled up her window and put the rig into motion, and gave the officer the “bird” as she pulled away. After several miles, she clicked the comm button and said “Coast is clear.”
I emerged from the back of the cab and climbed back into the passenger seat. Rio looked over with that big cocky Texas grin and said, “See, no bullets.”
All I could do was laugh.