Running on Empty (38 page)

But being with Brad, I began to mull over things, and believe me when you’re confined to clambering around on crutches, stuck indoors most of the day, you’ve plenty of time to think. I began to come to the conclusion, slowly, that although I still cared for Tom, and worried that he was alright and everything, I didn’t know whether I still loved him, or even if I truly did in the first place. You see, I began to accept that maybe part of Tom’s appeal to me was the fact that he represented the possibility of an escape from the place I was in at that time. Was I being Selfish?, possibly. Was it Inevitable that something like this was bound to happen, given the situation we found ourselves in?, probably. Also, I sort of had a feeling that when there was no contact from him, that maybe he was feeling similar to me. I reckoned that, while he could have been in a situation where contact was simply impossible, it was unlikely, and that if he was really desperate to, he’d find a way somehow to get in touch. So, to answer your question, I think that both he and I are now at a place where we can live without each other. We still care about each other obviously, but we don’t have to, or possibly even want to, be together. In fact, if we were thrown together again, in different circumstances to the last time, I don’t think the effect would be the same as before. Besides, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Tom tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, and when you look at his eyes while he’s looking at you, you have your answer as to where his affections lie’.

Sally looked up as she finished speaking, and noticed the tears welling up in Grainne’s eyes. She stood up, went to Grainne, sat down beside her, and found herself instinctively putting an arm around her shoulder, comforting her. Then she became aware that there were tears in her own eyes also. Grainnes’s tears were tears of relief, of happiness, she knew. But her own tears were ones of sadness and regret. She had arrived at a place that she new in her heart she would reach some day, of finally letting Tom go, and it hurt.

‘Look at us’ said Grainne, ‘two silly cows bawling like babies’.

‘Let’s head out to the ladies, wash our faces, and call up for the others to come down’ said Sally, ‘we need to work on a plan’.

When Sally arrived back at her room, Tom was waiting outside. No words were exchanged initially, they just hugged silently for a few moments. Then Tom put a hand into his pocket, removed the gold crucifix, and fastened around Sally’s neck.

‘You know, I think this kept me going through the hard times more than anything. I felt that somehow a part of you was with me, keeping an eye on me, making sure I didn’t do anything too stupid. So now I’m returning it to its rightful owner. It goes without saying Sal, I’m always there for you if you ever need me’.

Neither could think of anything more to say, so he kissed her on the forehead, and walked away. Sleep didn’t come easy for either of them that night.

‘You’re lookin’ for where?’

The shopkeeper, a silver haired man in faded dungarees and a red ‘Keep On Truckin’ baseball cap seemed confused.

‘Crawford Import and Distribution Company’ repeated Sally.

‘Hell, you have me. Hold on while I ask the missus’.

He turned towards a rear door, and hollered.

‘Hey Masie, you ever hear of a Crawford Import Company?’

‘Why yeah’ a voice came back from the blackness, ‘that’s the old Rad-Weld place ain’t it?’

‘Damn, y’know, I think she’s right. Yeah, changed hands a couple a years ago, if memory serves. You just follow that road out there due west for about two miles, then take a left, and that’ll lead you right to it’.

‘That’s great, thanks’.

‘You’re welcome’.

The silver Buick headed west, turning left two miles on at some disused fuel pumps, and continued down a single lane asphalt road until it came to a stop at a pair of padlocked chain link gates. A heavy set man in a navy blue uniform emerged from a sentry box which stood to one side. He approached the vehicle with caution, his hand resting on the revolver nestled in its holster which hung from his belt.

‘Can I help you ladies?’ he asked gruffly.

‘Oh, I think we’re a bit lost’, began Sally, ‘we’re looking for our cousin’s house. I don’t suppose this is the Saw Log road by any chance?’

‘Afraid not ladies. This is private property. I don’t think you’ll find your cousins here’.

‘Oh, do you know where the Saw Log road is then?’

‘Sorry girls, your best bet is to head back into Crawford and ask there’.

‘Are you sure this isn’t it? This is the directions we got in the town’.

The guard was becoming agitated.

‘Now I already told you this ain’t it. I’m afraid I’m going to ask you to leave. Like I said already, this here’s private property. So I’m just going to ask you nicely, to turn that vehicle of yours around, and head back up to the road’.

As he spoke, he casually flipped up the strap of the holster, allowing for speedy access to the weapon which hung from his belt should the need arise.

Grainne spun the car around, and headed back out.

‘Very heavy security for an import company, you agree?’

Sally nodded, both girls noticing the craggy rock-face of the butte which overlooked the building below.

The three men climbed into the rented black Nissan Pathfinder, Brad taking the wheel.

‘Pull over here a minute Brad, will you?’ said Pat, pointing to a free parking place as they drove along main street Chadron.

Brad pulled over and parked.

‘Back in a minute’ said Pat, exiting the vehicle and walking towards T.J.’s Guns & Pawns.

‘Can I see some identification sir? , requested the salesman.

Pat handed over his driving license. The man behind the counter studied it briefly, before handing it back.

‘That’s fine Mr. Overdeaux, now, what can I get you?’

Pat emerged a few minutes later, carrying a large brown parcel under his arm. He dropped it in the back of the vehicle, before returning to the front passenger seat.

‘And, what do you think you’re up to? asked Brad, a look of concern on his face.

‘Oh, just a little something I picked up’ answered Pat, ‘to remember the fun times we’re having here in Nebraska’.

‘Yeah, right’ said Brad, ‘just try and keep the body count down while I’m with you, ok? You might be some sort of loose cannon from the other side of the pond, but I’m a practicing law enforcement agent in this country. Even though I’m out of my jurisdiction, I have rules to follow, and I can’t be a party to blowing people’s heads off just because you don’t like their attitude. Remember, we want to gather evidence, not corpses’.

‘Jesus, you take the fun out of everything’ replied Pat.

‘You’re not in Ireland now, you arrogant bastard’

‘What?’

They both turned round to Tom, sitting in the back, a look of bemusement on their faces.

‘Oh, it’s just a line from a movie’ he answered, ‘I was just thinking out loud’.

‘Couldn’t have put it better myself’ said Brad, whilst Pat just sat there, smiling.

The black jeep headed out of Chadron, following the road for Crawford. As they approached the town, Pat began to give instructions while he scrutinized an ordinance map, turning onto smaller and smaller roads, until eventually they found themselves on a single lane dirt track that brought them to the base of Red Cloud Butte, on the opposite side to the Import Company building. The jeep pulled to a stop.

‘Right’ said Pat, ‘shanks mare from here on’

‘Sorry?’ asked Tom from behind.

‘Shanks mare’ repeated Pat, ‘it means we’re on foot from now on, we’re going for a little walk up this hill here’.

They emerged from the vehicle and began walking, Pat leading the way.

‘You not taking your package?’ asked Brad.

‘Now Brad, don’t be putting temptation in my path, and me trying to lead a good life. We’re only going up here to observe, a bit of recon work, just to see what the lay of the land is. We’ll leave the body bag business ‘till later, if it’s all the same to you’.

Brad just grunted. They made their way up the butte through the yellow flattened grassland and rock, interspersed with patches of melting snow clinging grimly to the shaded areas the winter sun had not yet encroached upon. On reaching the summit, they lay on their bellies, and observed. Little was happening down below, giving them the impression that this could turn out to be a long, unproductive day. Pat produced a small, powerful pair of binoculars from his coat pocket, and began scanning.

‘Well there’s not much to see at the moment’ he sighed, putting the field glasses to one side. ‘All we can do is sit and wait. Maybe we’ll get lucky’.

About a half hour into their vigil, a navy Taurus approached down the single lane asphalt, stopping briefly while the guard opened the padlocked gates and waved the car through.

Pat picked up his binoculars, focusing on the car as it came to a stop outside the building. He observed the two passengers exit the car, and froze.

It couldn’t be. That’s not possible.

He zoomed the glasses to their maximum setting.

It is. But…how can that be?

He turned to Tom, but couldn’t think of anything to say. He was lost for words. Instead, he just handed the field glasses to Tom, a look of puzzlement etched on his features. Tom, knowing there was something amiss, snatched the glasses from Pat and immediately put the lenses to his eyes. Nothing could have prepared him from what he now witnessed. Walking from the car towards the building were two men, one of whom he’d last seen at his father’s funeral. Tom could think of nothing to say. He was in total shock. He dropped the field glasses and rolled over onto his back, staring up at the sky while repeatedly running his hands through his hair, his mind racing.

‘What? What the hell’s wrong?’ pleaded Brad, trying to reach over for the fallen glasses. Pat grabbed his arm, looking him in the eye.

‘One of those guys is my nephew, Tom’s brother. One of those two is Joey Feeney’ he said flatly.

‘What?’

‘You heard me. I don’t know how. I don’t know why. But it is’.

‘But…how can that be possible?’

‘Haven’t I just told you, I don’t fucking know, are you thick or something?’

‘Are you sure? I mean it could be someone who just looks like him’.

‘We’re after giving you a positive id, from both his brother and his uncle, what more fucking proof do you want?’

Brad could see that both men were upset, and now was not the time or place to voice any lingering doubts he may have. As he lay there contemplating what to do next, he spotted another vehicle, a black Sudan, approaching the security gates. He picked up the glasses, and focused.

Fuck me.
He strained his eyes, trying to gain confirmation of who he believed was sitting in the passenger seat.
Fielding, it’s him. It’s definitely him. Mark fucking Fielding!

Now it was his turn to look shocked.

‘I’ve a bit of information which might be of interest to you two’ he said, taking his eyes from the binoculars, ‘Mark Fielding is at the gate’.

‘What?’ they both said in unison.

‘You heard me. Mark Fielding is about to come up the fucking driveway’.

As he spoke, Joey and his escort emerged from the building, and got into the car.

‘Listen guys’ said Brad, ‘we have a situation here. We have to act. We have decisions to make, and fast. It’s all happening at once, and the actions we take now are vital’.

Pat tried to focus, the possibilities and permutations clattering around inside his head.

‘Let’s go’ he said finally, rising to his feet. ‘Tom, come on, let’s go’.

Tom rose, unsure of what he was doing or where he was going. Pat pulled out his cell phone and dialed as he clambered back down the hill, the others following in his wake.

‘Grainne, it’s Pat. We have a situation here, we have to chase something up. Fielding and some other goon are after arriving at the factory. We’re following this other lead, so I want you and Sally to head over, and wait near the top road. Yes, that’s right, near the abandoned garage, but not too near, you understand? Fielding’s travelling in a black sedan. I want the two of you to tail him if and when he emerges. See where he goes. But, and this is the important bit, keep your distance. Keep well away from them, you understand. You’re safety is the primary concern here, you got that? I mean it Grainne, don’t fuck around. These guys are killers. The important thing is that the two of you stay safe. If you lose them, you lose them. It’s probably not important where they go anyway, it’s just in case. Now, promise me you’ll be safe. Good. Any problems at all you phone me right? Yeah, you too. Oh, and Grainne, keep in touch, eh?’