Denise let out a laugh as though she were really enjoying his company.
“Can I buy you and your friend another beer?” Phil asked.
No, but you can stand up, go back inside and buy your friend and yourself another beer. When anyone asks about me just say I was a stuck up bitch not worth wasting time on. You will not remember a thing we discussed. You will not remember my friend or me.
“I can see I’m just wasting time here, shit,” Phil said. He stood up and walked back into the bar.
“Let’s disappear,” Denise said, walking back to the Mustang quickly with Layla.
“I know this sounds crazy, three days in a row and all, but I would love to sit down to a Quattro’s Deep Dish Pizza. I’m starving,” Layla smiled.
“Sounds like a marvelous idea,” Denise smiled back.
What they could not hear when they rounded the corner to head to Quattro’s was Phil inside of PK’s. “Aw, that stuck up bitch was not worth wasting time on. Let’s shoot a game of pool?”
Chapter 13
Quiet Night
Denise and Layla were relaxing in Denise’s trailer after eating. It had been an eventful day for all involved. The days ahead might prove to be much more so.
“I hope you understand why I must try to get this out of the way before we, ahem,” Denise grinned.
“Oh, I do,” Layla whispered in her ear.
“I’m starting to search for vacation spots rather than some rats nest in Tennessee with you nibbling on my ear that way,” she cooed.
“I’m with you baby,” Layla breathed after sliding her tongue into Denise’s ear before moving to the other end of the couch.
“Baby’s on fire,” Denise said.
“Better throw her in the water,” Layla grinned.
Their clothes came flying off and they spent the better part of the next hour in the tub with the shower on.
“We need a much larger tub and shower, don’t you think?” Layla asked when they returned to the living room refreshed and somewhat spent.
“Oh yeah. Now where was I?”
“Rats nest in Tennessee?”
“Oh yeah.”
Denise once again opened Google Earth on her Macbook Pro and searched in the direction the arrow was pointing. “Thanks for the new perspective,” she smiled.
“Don’t mention it. How about an iced tea?”
“I’d love one.”
“Have you searched for Granary in the Lake yet?” Layla asked from the kitchen.
“You think it exists?”
“Baby, south of here ANYTHING is possible.”
Denise keyed in Granary in the Lake, TN. The search brought up nothing.
Layla returned to the couch with their iced tea. “Let me see.”
“See. It just brings up a pack of Inns and historical sites from here to the Atlantic Ocean.”
“Let’s see, how did he put it? I might not be able to write that well but I can count. Try misspelling it.”
Denise tried spelling it a variety of ways with nothing to pinpoint where it was.
“It’s got to be here. This is Tennessee and look at this body of water,” Layla said, pointing to an area the correct distance roughly southeast of Carbondale. “They’re here. It’s got to be in this area here.”
“Is this all part of Kentucky Lake?” Denise wondered.
“More like the Tennessee River. Kentucky Lake was created by a dam back in the Depression Era when they were building stuff to get people back to work.”
“You are quite the walking history book. I like it,” Denise said, kissing her on the cheek.
“Yes, but does it make you horny?”
“Yep. Give me ten minutes, that’s all I ask, ten minutes,” Denise laughed.
She zoomed in a little and more icons for images appeared. A little more and a few more appeared. She let her mouse hover over images that would show the title of the image.
“Untitled, nope.
“Portal to nowhere,” I certainly hope not.
“I think I stepped through it once,” Layla giggled. She turned on the radio.
“Butterfly field. Beautiful,” Denise sighed. “Well, it splits into Paris Tennessee and kind of dead ends there.”
“Keep following the other one.”
“A few tiny islands, historical sites.”
“The area looks kind of remote.”
“Yes, it. HELLO. Thank you Elvis,” Denise grinned. Her mouse hovered over a photo icon titled, Abandoned Granery in the Lake. She clicked on it to reveal just that, an abandoned granary in the water. She clicked on it again, for a larger image, and again for a larger image still.
“Don’t think we are going to find many more of these my dear,” Layla smiled.
“Look at it. It’s obviously been a place of interest for the locals with all the graffiti.”
“They would not be too hard to scare off,” Layla said.
She searched along the landmass on either side of the granary. “Hmm, there is an airport in the neighborhood,” Denise said.
“That MIGHT be a coincidence,” Layla said.
There was a light knock at the door. They each slid on a pair of shorts before answering the door.
“May we have a few minutes of your time?” It was Nola and Trepa.
“Yes, of course, please come in,” Denise said.
“Would you like some tea?” Layla asked.
“Please, have a seat,” Denise said.
“We’d love some tea,” Trepa said after turning her gaze from Nola.
“I wanted to come here and thank you personally for all you have done for us,” Nola said.
“You’re welcome Nola, but they are not back in your arms yet,” Denise smiled.
“Yes. I know. I cannot however ask you to endanger yourself when the time comes for us to retrieve our friends,” Nola said.
“Nola, one way or another, we are following those two biker thugs to their destination using that van,” Denise said.
“And it is NOT negotiable,” Layla added, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“I thought you would say that, which is why I have a gift for you from the entire crew,” Nola said. She took a sip of the tea. “This is delicious,” she smiled at Layla before standing up. “Come.”
Trepa stood up and she and Nola opened the door and stepped outside the trailer. Denise and Layla followed them out the door. The sky was aglow with a deep red setting sun. “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,” Layla said.
“We wanted you to have this,” Nola said, moving her arm towards an exact replica of Denise’s Mustang, but this one was black with darkened windows. It spotlessly stood there like a Mustang version of the Oldsmobile.
“This one is not going to need keys to start,” Trepa smiled.
“And you will NEVER have to worry about running out of gas as long as you own it,” Nola said.
“Wow. Nola I am deeply touched.” Denise said.
“Might I suggest you start your day tomorrow with this vehicle as our guest?” Nola said.
“You mean I get to drive it up the ramp?” Layla said.
The three others standing outside the trailer laughed.
“Oh. Sorry. Freudian slip,” Layla giggled.
“Yes, you can as long as Denise agrees,” Nola said.
“I think you are the perfect person to take it up the ramp for the first time,” Denise smiled.
They all exchanged hugs.
“Come on, I’ve something very important to show you,” Denise said.
Nola followed her back into the trailer. Trepa showed Layla the basics for operation of the modified Mustang.
“This, is what we believe the creature Feeyull was talking about.” Denise zoomed in on and showed her the image of the abandoned granary. “The area is rather remote. It may be a coincidence, but there is an airfield, right here,” she said, moving over to show her the airport. “I don’t think I have to tell you the implications of that scenario.”
“No. You found this yourself?”
“No, Layla did. I just clicked on a picture in the lake.”
“Well, Vido is going to give a more detailed tutorial tomorrow, but I have the basic hang of it,” Layla said walking back into the trailer.
“Excellent,” Denise said.
“We will be going,” Nola said.
“Do you have a ride?” Layla asked, following them out the door with Denise, obviously wanting to take the new Mustang for a spin.
“Yes,” Trepa said, as the Oldsmobile materialized before their eyes.
“Has that been there all this time?”
“Vido will explain it all in the morning. Goodnight Denise, Layla,” Nola said.
“Goodnight,” Denise and Layla chimed.
“Quiet night,” Trepa said before getting in on the passenger side.
Quiet night. What a nice thing to say.
“Quiet night,” Denise and Layla said.
The Oldsmobile pulled out of the long driveway and turned right heading north on Highway 51.
“Shall we?” Layla beamed.
“Quiet night? Denise giggled.
“Maybe not that quiet,” Layla said, taking Denise by the hand leading her back into the trailer.
Chapter 14
Waiting
The original Mustang cruised north on Highway 51 heading into town. “Thanks for letting me drive,” Denise giggled.
“Well is it your car,” Layla huffed before laughing out loud.
“I think you are going to get your fill of driving if there is such a thing.”
“I hope so. The new ride is a mysterious dream.”
“Who knows what this day will bring? Nola said she can still hear one of them snoring inside,” Denise said.
“Really? Did she call it snoring?”
“No. Intense audio rhythmic breathing,” Denise grinned.
“Perhaps she was right when she said they were literally on top of them when they monitored the call Johnny took saying they were not to move until late afternoon.”
“That gives us plenty of time for biscuits and gravy,” Denise said.
“Love Mary Lou’s.”
“Then I want to pick up a few new bats for the new ride.”
“Oh yeah.”
Breakfast was the usual ‘keep you feeling fed most of the day’ feast at Mary Lou’s. Afterward, they headed over to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
“Since we are heading south, these Louisville Sluggers will do just fine,” Layla grinned, gripping a black bat in her hands.
“You’re the bat expert, let’s grab four of them,” Denise said.
“Four?”
“Two for each Mustang. I never put them in the trunk yet because I lied. I never purchased any, and I know you have two in your trunk already so,” Denise said softly, rolling her eyes.
“Are you ok? Your eyes are rolling back in your head,” Layla laughed.
“Here, give me two of those to carry.”
The Mustang cruised south on Highway 51 heading back to Denise’s trailer.
“I think we should pack for a few days, just in case,” Denise said.
“Excellent idea. Please stop at my place first.”
“Ok.”
Nola had informed Denise and Layla that Johnny had taken another call informing them that it would definitely be today and to get loaded up so they were ready to move when they got the call.
Back at Denise’s trailer they had just finished packing a few basics for an overnight stay, extra clothes, shoes and toiletries.
“I like that top you’re almost wearing,” Denise giggled.
“What a sweet thing to say.”
“Come here, look at this.”
“Ok. I have a feeling we will be getting a closer aerial view of that later,” Layla smiled.
“Yes I suppo.” Denise stopped in mid sentence being suddenly bombarded by images of a struggle between Myla and two men.
..la b..ng …en now. It was unmistakably the voice of Aren. Noooooo.
Silence. No images. No sounds.
“Something really bad has happened,” Denise said, her voice shaking.
Nola.
Denise.
Do you have anyone in the area south of here?
Not at the moment, but they could be very shortly.
Yes, yes, as soon as possible.
She explained what she had just seen and heard to Nola. There was no answer from her for a few minutes.
Denise, I, she started only to be stopped in mid sentence.
Nola, we are not waiting for these two biker fucks, pardon my Earthling potty mouth, to lead us where I am convinced we are going.
Denise.
Layla and I are leaving now for the granary area in the new Mustang.
Be careful.
We will be.
Layla was already loading up a cooler with water, juice and a few snacks when Denise walked out to the car and put what she was carrying on the ground. Layla walked out behind her carrying the cooler. Denise looked at her frustrated. “Do you know how to open the trunk?”
“You’re going to love this,” Layla smiled.
“I yam?” Denise squinted.
“You simply place any part of your hand on the trunk and think or say, trunk open. Give it a try.”
Denise did what she instructed and the trunk hissed as if hermetically sealed and opened slowly. “That I like.” She closed it by thinking it closed.
“We should be going.
The trunk opened again after Denise simply willed it to open mentally. “That I like better.”
“Show off.”
They finished loading up the trunk with bats and bags full of clothes. The cooler went in the back seat.
“Well, she’s all yours,” Denise said, letting her sunglasses drop on to her nose. As she walked around the car to the passenger side the doors opened. “Ooh, that new car smell.”
“Oh yes,” Layla smiled.
When they were both inside the doors closed as if they were now hermetically sealed inside.
“You know how to get there?”
“Yep. Roughly 135 miles and normally about a two and a half hour trip, but in this baby, we should be there much sooner.”
“Make it so.”
Chapter 15
New Mustang
Layla piloted the New Mustang south on Highway 148 right past the area where the two bikers awaited their instructions.
“Let’s make some time,” Layla said.
Nola can you see us?
Denise. Yes.
Layla touched a control that put the vehicle in stealth mode.
Nola can you see us now?
Yes, but we designed it that way. It is highly unlikely anyone else can yet.
“Hit it,” Denise grinned.
In no time they traveled the nine miles that took them to I-57 south where they really made time. They would watch as some drivers looked surprised when the gush of air from the Mustang flying past them could be felt but the reason could not be seen.
“I am really impressed with your driving abilities,” Denise said.
“Aw, thanks, but it’s nothing really.”
“How fast are you going at the moment?
“Only 220 m.p.h. It’s starting to get a little crowded.”
“What are all of these for?” Denise asked, pointing to an array of controls under a panel she pushed aside.
“I was told we should absolutely NOT touch any of those until we receive the full tutorial on what this baby can do.”
“Glad I asked. Wouldn’t want to wind up in orbit at an inopportune moment,” Denise giggled.
“That might be embarrassing.”
They had just gotten onto I-24 east when Denise heard from Nola again.
Denise.
Nola.
The two men are loading a large container into the van.
How large?
By your measurements 84 x 48 x 36 inches.
&n
bsp; Let us know when they are on the move.
I shall.
“Do you think those two biker delights are being well paid for what they are doing?”
“Well enough by their standards,” Layla said.
Denise explained to Layla what she had seen and heard earlier. “What do you make of it?”
“I did not want to say until you asked me, but I get the distinct impression that crate is needed to transport one of them. It seems too small for both of them, but where to? Your guess is as good as mine on that one.”
Layla put on a CD she titled Cruising Mix hoping it would brighten the mood. Denise had been quiet for the past ten minutes staring at Google Maps on her iPhone. She could read the concern on her face because of what she saw and heard earlier.
“Oh look. Paducah is that way,” Denise said seeming to snap out of it.
“Nice town. Good town for the arts,” Layla said.
“We must go some day.”
“We can,” Layla laughed.
“They have a television station there we get,” Denise laughed.
“Ha. Yes they do.”
“I wonder if it can fly,” Layla giggled as they zipped past a Kentucky State Trooper parked in the middle of the highway traveling more than 150 m.p.h.
“I would not rule it out,” Denise said. The country sure gets thicker with foliage the further one travels south doesn’t it?”
“Yes. It is going to be thick as a brick where we are going.”
“I hope so.”
Layla had to slow down on the final leg when they hit the two lane sections of highway. “It’s going to be like this the rest of the way, I’m sure,” she said.
“You’ve made marvelous time.”
Layla pulled over onto the shoulder to get her bearings. “May I see your map?”
“No, get your own.”
“Ok, well I think I saw a gas station about 50 miles back,” Layla said.
Denise handed her iPhone to her.
“You said you wanted to get on the other side of the river where the airport is yes?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll need to cross it here, and then it’s going to get hairy. We’ll be in an area where everybody knows everybody else and this car obviously ain’t uh one uh them.”
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