Reboot

Rourke was mobbed everywhere he went, so was I and all the other drivers. He couldn’t stand it and hid in his house. I enjoyed it, though. What the hell. And I tried to steer conversations toward “The Vote”, as much as I could. I didn’t have to talk about the messages. The vote was an easier way to broach the subject since it was less self-serving and an obvious way to move forward. Eventually, this led me face to face with Colby.

“Hello Trek. Trek was it?”

“Yes sir. Well not really sir.” I looked directly at him without flinching.

“Right. I think it’s time we had a talk.”

“I agree Mr. Colby. Would you like to come to my house?”

“No.”

“Ummm.. The café?”

“Yes.”

“After you.” And he led the way. No dummy this man. He knew who I was alright. But why was I still free?

We sat down and I offered him a juice. It was offered to both of us happily by the woman behind the bar. There were very few people in the café. Three people at the bar. They waved at us. We smiled back and took a booth for privacy. Colby took a long sip of his drink, pushed it slightly aside and looked straight at me.

“So, tell me something I don’t know,” he said with an unreadable face. I was really missing my friends about now. They had no idea where I was. But I threw down.

“I’m Robert Morgan. I think you knew that from the very beginning.

“I had my doubts.”

“Why didn’t you turn me in?”

“Many reasons, not the least of which is that I really don’t like that idiot Mooney.”

“I have proof. Irrefutable. We had planned on telling you. Just didn’t really know when.”

“I’d like to see it please.”

“Of course. Will you come to my house now?”

He thought about this for a while. Finally deciding I was no threat.

“Yes.” And we walked out. The color was coming back in my face. As we were walking, he asked: “Who else knows this?”

“Rourke, William, Dutch and the mayors.”

“Both mayors?”

“Yes sir.”

At this point, I wasn’t sure if he was keeping tabs on who to arrest, or if he was genuinely impressed by my list. We walked all the way home. I wanted William and Dutch to be with me. They would support everything I said, but I also didn’t want to spook Colby. We walked in and I told him to sit down while I got the papers.

We went over everything carefully.

“William and Dutch will back up everything I say.”

“I’m sure”…

“But… they…”

“Don’t worry kid, you had me at “Hello.” I’ve no doubt that what you say is true. Just thought I’d make you sweat a bit.” He smiled. I exhaled.

“I’ll help any way I can.”

“Well that’s a relief. What we had in mind was to have you do nothing for now, unless you have suggestions. We think these radio messages are working, so let’s just see what happens for now.”

“Agreed. What’s your goal exactly?”

“We know that Mooney will not allow an election. He can’t because it would put his involvement in the war out there for all to see. We think he’ll come after me. That’s why I’m hiding. Don’t want to make it too easy for him…”

“That’s wise.”

“Then we’ll take the fight to him. We think he’ll do something stupid while targeting me and it’ll guide us on how to proceed.”

“Well. You have my ears. I’ll keep listening and if I get any information, I’ll pass it on.”

“Can’t ask for more than that”.

“But Robert, he WILL do something stupid. Maybe unexpected. He has resources. You have to be very careful. I can’t stress that enough.”

“Yes sir.”