by Robert Boren
“Go help her,” Gabe said.
“We’d better call Malcolm,” Dobie said. “We shouldn’t just go.”
“Okay,” Gabe said. He hit Malcolm’s contact on his phone, and put it on speaker, setting it on the dinette table in front of Dobie. He slid into the bench seat opposite Dobie. The phone rang and rang.
“He’s not picking up,” Dobie said. “Dammit.”
“We’ve got to help her,” Gabe said.
“C’mon, Gabe, we’re hours and hours away. She’s on the far end of Missouri.”
“I know,” Gabe said. He got up and paced. “Maybe we should call George. Our home park is closer, and besides, they need to know that Scott is so close.”
“You don’t think Scott would risk going to our park, do you?” Dobie asked.
“Who knows,” Gabe said. “He’s off his rocker. You know that.”
Gabe’s phone rang. He looked at it. “Malcolm.” He put it on speaker.
“Gabe, what’s up?” Malcolm asked.
“I got a call from Sue at Uncle Jasper’s RV Park.”
“Okay, calm down,” Malcolm said. “What happened?”
“She thinks that Scott is at her park,” Gabe said. “What should we do?”
“Don’t go blasting over there,” Malcolm said. “If we know he’s there, we’ll get a good bead on him. He’s heading west.”
“What if she’s in danger?” Gabe asked.
“She call the cops?”
“She called Sheriff Branson,” Gabe said. “He isn’t picking up. She left him a message.”
“Shit,” Malcolm said. “Wonder if he’s in custody or something?”
“Where are you guys, anyway?” Dobie asked.
“We’re at the police station talking to the locals about Scott’s storage unit,” Malcolm said.
“Oh,” Gabe said. “The FBI still giving you a hard time?”
“No, they let us come along on this, after we convinced them we were okay. It was a little hairy for a while. That corrupt FBI agent was trying to set us up.”
“You guys get him to admit he was lying?” Dobie asked.
“No, we found his body in a big freezer in the basement of Scott’s house, along with Howard and a parolee.”
“No way,” Gabe said. “They didn’t try to pin it on you guys?”
“No, they know we weren’t around when the killings happened,” Malcolm said.
“So what do we do?” Gabe asked.
“You still at the KOA?”
“Yep, like we agreed,” Gabe said.
“Why don’t you guys move west? I don’t see us going back to Columbus now. Find a place near Indianapolis. We’ll get back together after this is over.”
“What are you gonna do?” Gabe asked.
“I’ll have Ted try to contact Sheriff Branson,” Malcolm said.
“What about Sue?” Gabe asked. “I don’t want her getting killed by this maniac.”
“Call her back. Tell her to leave him alone,” Malcolm said. “But ask her to call us when he leaves. Tell her we’re trying to contact Sheriff Branson.”
“Okay,” Gabe said. He ended the call.
“You’ll have to drive Ted’s rental,” Dobie said.
“I know,” he said. “Why don’t you get the rig ready to go while I call Sue?”
“Okay,” Dobie said, getting up. He put the leash on Duchess and took her outside with him as Gabe punched in Sue’s contact.
“Sue?” Gabe asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “They left the restaurant. I think they’re going to use the spa.”
“Sheriff Branson call you back?”
“No,” she said. “I’m scared.”
“Lie low for now,” Gabe said. “We’re trying to get ahold of Sheriff Branson, and we’re heading west in a few minutes.”
“Where are you guys?” she asked.
“At a KOA just east of Columbus, Ohio.”
“Crap, you guys are a long ways away,” she said.
“I know,” Gabe said. “Let me know if they leave. You have a safe place to hang out?”
“Not at the park,” she said.
“Maybe you should leave.”
“I can’t do that,” she said. “There’s lots of campers here.”
“If you think there’s any chance he’s targeting you, leave anyway,” Gabe said. “Seriously. I know it’s difficult. I had to leave my park too.”
“Okay,” she said. “Gotta go, somebody came into the office.”
“Him?” Gabe asked.
“No, another customer. Talk to you later, Gabe. Thanks for calling me back.”
“Take care of yourself,” Gabe said. He got up and put his phone back in his pocket, then went outside to help Dobie.
“She okay?” Dobie asked.
“Yeah, so far, but this scares the shit out of me.”
“Well, I’m about ready to go. How’s the gas in the rental car?”
“We’ll have to stop on the way out.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
***
“Still want to go to the spa?” Cindy asked, as she walked arm in arm with Scott back to the Class C.
“Sure, but I want to check on Kerry first,” Scott said. “We ought to sneak a bottle out there with us.”
“Good idea,” she said. “Nobody around anyway.”
“There’s a rig coming in now,” he said. “Look.”
Cindy turned around and saw it. “Wow, that’s a big one.”
“Yeah, diesel pusher,” Scott said. “I remember lusting after those while I was working my RV Park in Kansas. That one is more than forty feet long.”
“How can you tell from here?”
“Tag axle,” he said. “See the two sets of tires on the rear?”
“Oh,” she said. “Wow. Like a bus.”
They went inside the coach. It smelled of cooked pasta and cheese.
“Hi, Scotty,” Kerry said from the dinette. He was finishing up his Kraft Dinner.
“Hi, Kerry,” Scott said.
“Smells good in here,” Cindy said, smiling at Kerry.
“We’re going to the spa for a while, Kerry.”
“Okay,” he said.
“What kind of booze do you want?” Carol whispered.
“Any of what you mentioned would be fine,” he said.
“Okay.” She squatted down and opened a low cupboard under the TV, pulling out the Jack Daniels bottle and a metal flask set.
“Nice,” Scott said, chuckling as Cindy used the funnel to pour whiskey into the flask. “What are we gonna do for bathing suits?”
“I was planning on no bathing suits,” she whispered. “You’re okay with that, aren’t you?”
Scott smiled at her and nodded. “We should take towels. I’ll grab them.”
“Look in the bottom drawer next to the bed,” she said. “I stashed two bath sheets. They’re probably still there. Hopefully they don’t have my ex’s stench on them. Or his bitch.”
Scott shook his head as he checked. They were there. He sniffed them.
“They okay?” she asked.
“A little musty smelling, but they don’t smell used, if that’s what you’re asking. You must have put those there a long time ago.”
“Couple of years,” Cindy said. “Shall we undress over there?”
“Sure,” Scott said. They left the coach.
“It’s so pretty here,” she said. “Wish we could stay for a while.”
“I paid for a few nights,” Scott said. “We’ll want to get out of here on Friday night or early Saturday morning though. More people will show up.”
“Good, the spa’s deserted,” she said. “And not brightly lit either. Perfect.”
They went through the short chain-link gate into the spa area, and got undressed in the shadows. Cindy picked up the flask, and they got into the spa.
“Mmmmm, this is heavenly,” Cindy said. She opened the flask and took a swig, then handed it over to Scott. He took a
swig, then closed it and set it on the deck. He reached for her, pulling her on his lap, his hands roaming over her body.
“Getting frisky already,” she whispered, her face closer. She kissed him. Scott broke the kiss abruptly.
“What’s the matter?” she whispered.
“Company,” he said, nodding at the path. Two people were approaching in the dark. He couldn’t make them out yet, just the shadows, but he saw towels draped over their arms.
“Shit,” Cindy said. “Just when I was getting worked up.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Scott said. The two came through the gate and froze when they saw them.
“Oh, sorry,” a young female voice said.
“It’s okay,” Scott said. He strained to see them in the dim light. It was two young women. Late teens to early twenties. One was thin, in a bikini, with straight blonde hair. She was the one who talked. The other was shorter and wider, wearing a one piece suit, self-conscious about her weight. She had wavy black hair down to her shoulders, and a pretty face.
“Cameron, why don’t we go,” the dark haired girl said. “I didn’t know this was clothing optional.”
“Sorry, we didn’t bring swimsuits on this trip,” Scott said. “Forgot.”
“Don’t be silly, Shannon,” Cameron said. “We don’t have to get naked unless we want to. Let’s take a dip. We don’t have to stay long.”
Shannon eyed her nervously, then glanced at Scott and Cindy. Scott had a friendly smile on his face. Cindy’s expression was a mixture of embarrassment and wantonness.
“Okay, Cameron, but only for a few minutes, okay?”
“You really that anxious to get back to my parents and my little brother?” Cameron asked. Scott chuckled as the two of them set their towels on a lounge and slid into the water.
“So I take it you’re on a family vacation,” Scott said.
“Yeah,” Cameron said. “Kind of boring, but at least they let me bring Shannon. We’ve had fun.”
“Where are you from?” Cindy asked.
“St. Paul,” Cameron said. “Heading down to Texas for a few weeks.”
“We were supposed to go east, but the bombs screwed that up,” Shannon said.
Cindy got off of Scott’s lap, her naked breasts bouncing into view. Shannon gasped, looking embarrassed.
“Oh, please,” Cameron said to Shannon. “Seriously?” She reached behind her back and untied her bikini top, removing it and tossing it onto the deck behind her. “See, it’s no big deal.”
Shannon’s eyes got big as she turned back towards her and shook her chest. “Cameron!” she said.
Cindy had an amused look on her face. She glanced up at Scott’s face. He had a nasty grin. She slipped her hand onto his thigh and it broke him out of the trance. He looked at Cindy. “Sorry.”
“Sorry about what? Wanting to look at a beautiful young woman?” she asked. “I think this is delightful.” She stood up, showing off her body to the two girls. Cameron giggled, then stood up and removed her bikini bottoms.
“Cameron!” Shannon whispered. “C’mon, knock it off.”
“Oh, take it easy,” Cameron said. “You’re such a prude.”
“I’m not a prude,” Shannon said.
“Prove it,” Cameron said, a mischievous look in her eyes. “Strip.”
“Cameron! No!” she said.
“Prude!” Cameron said. “If you want boys to be interested in you, you’d better loosen up.”
“I’m too heavy,” she said. “That’s why you get more boys. You know it.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Scott said. “I think you’re stunning, Shannon.”
She froze, looking at Scott, then over at Cindy, expecting her to be angry. Cindy giggled, and reached behind her for the flask, untwisting the top and taking a swig.
“What’s that?” Cameron asked, her eyes lighting up.
“Jack Daniels,” Cindy said. “Want some?”
“No!” Shannon said. “Don’t start drinking again.”
“I’ll just have a little,” Cameron said.
“That’s what you always say,” Shannon said. “Then you get crazy. Don’t do it.”
Scott was watching with amusement. Cindy passed him the flask, and he took a swig. “Damn, that’s good whiskey.” He said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He held it out to Cameron, who reached up her arm. Shannon grabbed it and pulled it down.
“Let go,” Cameron said, giggling. “I want some.”
“No!” she said.
“Hey, I want some,” Cindy said. Scott handed it to her and she took another swig. Then handed it back to Scott. He held it towards Cameron again. She reached for it, and then got a wicked look in her eyes.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” Cameron said. “I won’t drink any if you take off your swimsuit.”
“Cameron!” she said. “No, I don’t want to do that. Especially in front of strangers.”
“Oh, why not,” Cameron said. She grabbed the flask out of Scott’s hands before Shannon could stop her, and started to unscrew the top.
“No!” she said, reaching for it, but Cameron kept it out of reach.
“C’mon, Shannon. You can solve the problem,” Cameron said, giggling. She twisted the top again.
“No!” she said. “I’m going back to the trailer.”
“Why, so my brother can ogle you some more?” Cameron asked. “Or my dad, for that matter.”
“He doesn’t. You’re just making that up,” she said. “Dammit.” She stood up and peeled off her suit, face turning red as her large breasts wobbled free. Then she sat quickly, lower in the water. “Give it back to them, Cameron.”
“Okay, okay,” Cameron said. “See, doesn’t that feel better?”
“Whatever,” Shannon said.
“How long are you staying here?” Scott asked.
“Two days,” Cameron said. “My auntie lives in town. Mom’s going to see her tomorrow. How about you two?”
“Same,” Scott said. “Two days.”
“We like it here,” Cindy said. “We’d like to stay longer, but we have business further west.”
“Really, where?” Cameron asked.
“Idaho,” Cindy said. “You girls in school?”
“I’m in my third year of college,” Shannon said. “Cameron’s in beauty school.”
“You’ve known each other a long time, I’ll bet,” Scott said.
“All our lives,” Cameron said. “We live next door to each other.”
“How old are you?” Cindy asked.
“I’m twenty two,” Shannon said. “Cameron’s a year younger.”
“I’ll bet you two have boys after you all the time,” Scott said, smiling. Shannon eyed him. Cameron giggled.
“I suppose,” Shannon said, adjusting herself in her seat, trying to keep her breasts under the water. “It’s getting too hot in here.”
“I know,” Cameron said, getting out and sitting on the edge of the deck. “C’mon on up here.” She grinned.
“Yeah, right,” she said. “I’ve had enough.” She grabbed her swimsuit and pulled it back on while she was under the water, then got out and sat on the lounge chair.
“Spoil sport,” Cameron said in mock anger. “Oh, all right, we can go back.” She stood up, put on her bikini, headed towards the gate. Shannon got up and followed her.
“Nice meeting you,” Cameron said as she glanced back, a twinkle in her eye.
“I thought they’d never leave,” Cindy said, moving over Scott. “You alive in there?”
“There’s our next playmate,” Scott whispered hoarsely.
“Who, Cameron?”
“Hell no,” he said. “Shannon. I’ve got to have her.”
***
“You guys ready to eat?” Jasmine asked. “Chili’s on the stove.”
“That sounds great!” Jerry said.
“It was the last of the stuff we froze at home,” she said. “Tonight’s a good night for it.”
<
br /> Jerry, Frank, and Jane went into the coach and got bowls full. They came back out under the awning and sat, eating silently.
“Guess we’re all too tired to talk anymore,” Jasmine said.
“Or too hungry,” Jane said. “This is great. Thanks so much.”
“Welcome,” she said. “We gonna take off early?”
“If we do, we should arrive at the hospital before dark tomorrow,” Frank said. “It’s not a bad drive. I-70 to I-15. Fast roads.”
“Yeah, it shouldn’t be too bad,” Jerry said. “Still nervous about going into Utah?”
“Not as much,” Frank said. “Seems like things are getting back to normal.”
“You guys hear that?” Jane asked. “Shouting. Down by the office.”
The commotion was getting louder.
“What the hell’s going on down there?” Jerry asked.
Frank ate his last spoonful of chili and washed it down with water. “C’mon, let’s get our handguns and mosey on down there.”
“You sure that’s a good idea, Frank?” Jane asked.
“Hell yeah, I do,” Frank said. “Could be enemy fighters, or worse.”
“I’m with Frank,” Jerry said.
“Okay,” Jasmine said. “I’m going too. Jane, let’s take our M-16s.”
Jane nodded. They got up and rushed to their coaches. Frank brought Lucy along, stuffing his big magnum pistol in the waist band behind him as he came out.
“What, not wearing the quick-draw rig?” Jerry asked, laughing.
“Nah,” Frank said. “C’mon, let’s go. Keep your eyes open.”
They rushed towards the front of the park. Then they saw them. Two blue military vehicles.
“Frigging UN,” Jerry said.
There was still shouting in the office. Frank peered in the window. The UN guys were holding guns and arguing with Clint, the owner of the park. His face was red.
“You guys have no authority here,” Clint said. “Not one bit.”
“We have orders from the Inspector General to search all mobile vehicles in this quadrant, and we will do it,” the lead UN peacekeeper said. “Now sit down and shut up, you stupid Yankee.”
“I’ll go around the back with Jasmine,” Jerry whispered. “You two go in the front.”
“Got it,” Frank said. Jane and Jasmine nodded.
Frank unhooked Lucy and tossed her leash on the porch as he stepped inside, big magnum pistol pointed at the UN peacekeepers. “Freeze!” Jane moved in behind him with her M-16 at the ready.