Page 5 of Tuesday

Moss side eyes me from the passenger seat. “Why do you call this Truck Norris when it’s a van?”

“It’s an homage to a badass. And there were no good van puns,” I reply, keeping my eyes on the road and my hands at ten and two.

“What about Jackie Van?”

I roll my eyes. “That’s terrible. There’s no imagination in that at all.”

“Riiiight.”

We travel in silence for a while and I’m starting to have a bit of a funny tummy. Not the poops or anything, more a little clenchy. I have a feeling it’s because I’ve left Rhodie to do this on my own. I probably should have said something, but then he’d be all up in my business and this is something I need to do on my own. Besides, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I asked him to come with me.

When the Manwitch called with Candice Rogers’ location and where to find Rhodie’s daughter I had to drop everything to get on the road. Rhodie would have tried to talk me out of it, but people need closure. Especially Vi. I like her, and this is something I can do to help her get over the trauma. Or something.

Pulling over to the curb, I idle outside the address I was given. It looks exactly like the type of place I expected. Hard architectural lines, stark white, surrounded by concrete and strategically placed cacti. Boring.

“So I sit here on surveillance duty?” Moss asks, turning to peer into the back of Truck Norris.

I clamber between the two front seats into the back space, flicking on the three laptops and the screens connected to them as I make my way to the back.

“Yup. I’ve already hacked her cameras. See?” I point to six mini screens that have visuals of both the outside and inside of Candice’s house.

Moss lets out a low whistle. “Has anyone ever told you you’re like, scary good at this stuff?”

I take in the impressed look on his face before letting out a sigh, “All the time, buddy.”

I collect up my bag and throw it over my shoulder, before climbing back over the front seat, ready to leave. I pause for a moment, staring at the steering wheel, going over my plan in my head. Once I’m satisfied that I’ve got all my bases covered I nod to myself, open the door and slide out.

“Wait! How will I know you’re OK?” Moss asks, reaching to stop the door from slamming.

“Right hand side of the central laptop, there’s an earpiece. Put it in, don’t breathe through your mouth, and I’ll be back soon.” I slam the door before he can ask anything else. He’s kinda chatty.

Making my way to the front door where I’ve already disabled the security system, I let myself in. I almost take my shoes off out of habit and then remember that socks aren’t very threatening. Taking in my surroundings I choose the best place to sit and wait. Moss’ breathing crackles over my ear piece.

“I’m gonna need you to breathe quieter.”

Sounds of rummaging fill my ear before it quietens. “Better?”

“Much.”

There’s silence, and I can feel that he’s going to break it any moment now. “Are you sure about this, Chewy?”

“Of course I am. I’ve run through every scenario.”

“Including the one where Rhodie may not be happy that you’ve run off to find a kid without him?”

Ugh. Why do neurotypical people have to be so good at pointing out that kind of stuff? Yes, I have thought about how upset Rhodie will be, but it will only be for a short period of time. “I have thought about it, but we’ll be back in a few hours. Rhodie trusts me.”

Moss makes a weird humming noise. “Look, I’m not saying he doesn’t trust you, but from what I’ve seen of the DRMC they don’t look like the type of guys who love it when their women go off on missions alone.”

“It was only that one time that I went off to save those trafficked women. Oh, and then the time I purposely got kidnapped and came home with a sweet ride. This would make it the third time and then I’m sure it’ll be out of my system,” I inform Moss. Judging by the chuckling coming through the line, I doubt he believes me.

“If you say so,” he replies.

I spin, surveying the seating options. Letting out a sigh I drag a chair into the middle of the room. Far away from anything hard that she may want to bludgeon me with, not that it’s likely. I plop down, and think through my plan. Once I have Candice the interrogation will begin. I move my right foot a smidge until I can feel my interrogation go bag with my secret weapon on the floor beside me. I can’t question her in the Rev Room just yet. I need answers immediately, then she will be taken back home to be dealt with.

My fingers tap against my thigh, as I stare at the door, my leg jiggling as I wait. My senses are being raped by florals, the smell giving me a headache as I sit in this shitty, hard chair. Why do fancy people have such uncomfortable furniture? Jules used to have uncomfortable furniture too, but now he has Violet and Juno to love so he had to get comfortable stuff. Stuff for families to sit on, closely, maybe even hugging or letting their legs touch or something.

I’ll add that to my list of things I need. I have a comfy couch, it’s very soft, but it’s light colored and that’s not family friendly. I type “dark colored soft couch” in my notes app and then turn my phone off.

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