Page 26 of Waylaid in Whittier

It had all the standard features…toilet, sink, hand towel dispenser and…a window.

With a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear, Millie locked the stall door and walked over to the window. She flipped the latch and slid it open. Bouncing on the tips of her toes, she stuck her head out.

Directly behind the bathroom was a gravel alley running the length of the building. A dumpster sat next to the rear entrance door. She took a step back, trying to envision Elvira climbing onto the sink, leveraging her weight and launching herself through the open window.

It was possible. She was small enough and could have made it through. But there were several obstacles, namely sneaking out of the bathroom, attacking Wanda, and returning to the bathroom before another patron realized the end stall was empty.

She slid the window shut and made her way back to where Sharky sat waiting.

“Well?”

“I noticed a window inside one of the stalls. Elvira could have climbed out.”

“Somehow I can’t picture her sneaking out of the bar, attacking Wanda, and then sneaking back in. How big is the window?”

Using her hands, Millie gave him a rough guesstimate of the dimensions.

“She’s agile, but I’m not sure she has those capabilities,” Sharky said.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

The bartender wandered over. “Can I get you folks anything else?”

“No. I think we’re all set.” Millie and Sharky thanked him for the information, quickly downed what was left of their sodas and headed out.

“Well?” Sharky asked. “Where to next?”

“According to my map, we’re not too far from base camp. We’ll start working our way in that direction. Hopefully, Annette, Brody and Cat are having better luck than we are.”

*****

“This is a pretty awesome ride, Brody.” Annette studied the decked-out truck, a four-wheel-drive pickup with mud tires, a three-inch lift kit and a set of floodlights mounted on the roof.

“It’s my dream machine.” Brody’s eyes lit as he ran a light hand over the metallic blue hood. “She’s a beaut. When Danielle told me you needed a set of wheels to do a little back roading, I figured I might as well go all out seeing how it’s only for a few hours.”

“We’ll be riding in style.” Annette hurried around to the passenger side. She scooched across the seat, making room for Cat.

Brody, with a look of pure joy on his face, climbed behind the wheel. Once inside, he spent a few minutes familiarizing himself with the features. “If I ever give up ship life, I’m gonna buy me one of these trucks, a bunch of land out in the middle of nowhere, and live happily ever after for the rest of my life.”

“With Danielle?” Cat asked.

“Sure. I mean, if she wants to and if we’re still together.” Brody told them he saved every dime he could, stashing it away in retirement and interest-bearing accounts. “Thanks to Majestic Cruise Lines covering all of my living expenses, I’ve been able to sock away some serious cash.”

“Same here,” Annette said. “One day I’ll have seen enough of the world and want to plunk down roots in a quiet little spot somewhere in the US. I might even grow a garden and raise a few chickens and goats.”

“Maybe with Jose?” Cat teased.

Annette’s face turned bright red. “Jose?”

“C’mon, Annette. Everyone knows you and Jose are dating.”

“I heard it too,” Brody said. “He’s been telling everyone you’re his girlfriend.”

“He had better not be.” Annette frowned.

“Why not? It’s true, isn’t it?”

“I-uh. W-well. I mean, we have been hanging out,” Annette stammered.

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