Always a Nerd
1099 Words
Q continued as if not expecting an answer. "You can save your story for when I get my brothers. They'll know what to do."
“You're not a detective?"
She thought he was. Even so, she needed Q, not anyone else.
“Sort of. I'm better at gadgets then I am at solving anything." He slid behind the wheel and pulled into traffic. “I can have the car warmed up before I have to scrape any ice off of it." He passed the alley behind the agency.
“He saw us," she said. “He was looking right at us."
“He won't catch us."
Q stepped on the gas and passed several cars. The acceleration pinned her to the seat so she couldn't turn around.
A metaphor for how stuck she felt in working this case.
***
Q searched his brain for the notes from his defensive driving class. The one he'd taken designed for chauffeurs of dignitaries. Did he remember how to take evasive action?
Somehow he knew his life and Madison's depended on it. He, himself, was no detective. He'd be happy when he could give her over to his brothers
“Do you know what you're doing?" Madison asked. Her green eyes looked at him for answers.
He swallowed any doubts. “Sure thing."
Q found an opening in traffic and punched the van forward. At the last minute he made a sharp left turn. "It's all about keeping moving and being unpredictable."
At the next intersection he made a right then cut through a parking lot, then into another one for a large mall. New Jersey was full of them.
Madison turned toward the back window. “I don't see them."
“Let's not rest yet. We have to get through this mall and to the restaurant."
“Restaurant?"
“I have to pick up my brothers. They'll be able to help you."
She gripped the sides of her seat. “Why can't you help me?"
Q made a quick turn down a row of cars. “I'm not really a detective."
He disliked trying to explain, but he was out of any business but making stuff for his brothers. He was certainly out of any business that involved coming to Madison's rescue. He'd hung up his super hero cape long ago.
She'd chosen Charlie and she didn't get a second chance at breaking his heart.
“You ditched that guy pretty well."
He shrugged. “I've been to school for it."
“Why?"
“Doesn't matter."
She didn't need to know that he'd signed up for the military after she'd married Charlie. She didn't need to know anything about his life since that day.
He sped through the parking lot then out the other side. He took a back road to Cap'n Starn's Restaurant in Waterbridge, a town one over from Mill Hall.
“I don't see them," she said, a sigh following. “I was so scared. Thank you."
Q parked in front of the restaurant. She turned her dazzling green eyes to him and smiled. He melted though he didn't let her know.
“Maybe you should stay here. You can climb into the back and no one can see you."
She nodded and moved past him into the interior of the van. “Lots of stuff back here."
“We use it for surveillance. Don't touch anything."
He left with her assurance that she wouldn't move.
Q whistled as he crossed the parking lot. Soon Madison would be someone else's problem and he could go back to his workshop.
His brothers and several of his coworkers sat on benches obviously enjoying the sunny spring day. The usual humidity of New Jersey hadn't descended. The days were still bearable.
A month from now would be different.
“Come on, guys. Your chariot awaits. I have a client for you."
Matt Quincy stood. “We can't see clients like this."
The blast from his brother's breath made Q step back. They were right. Matt's breath could be lit on fire.
“But you know I can't do this." That was his only excuse. His brothers didn't know about Madison and his history with her.
“You've got a license just like the rest of us."
Though his brothers called his a license to nerd. He sighed, feeling like his processor was too old and slow to run the latest operating system. He wished he could just download the latest software for private investigating, but it wasn't that simple. Matt and Jeff didn't look like they were moving.
They didn't get up when he walked over to them. Both of them lounged on the bench, their feet straight out, their ties crooked. That's okay. Q was used to being the responsible one.
“Okay. I'll get her info and then drop her somewhere. You can follow up."
“We'll just stay here in the sun." Matt loosened his tie even further. "Call us a cab."
Q smiled, but not fully, and turned back to the van.
The sight inspired him to run.
***
Through the darkened van windows Madison spotted the car. At least she thought it was.
Her heart stopped. What if the person found her?
Should she stay here? She couldn't locate Q at all. She scrunched down and shivered while she heard the car stop. A curtain was open between the front and back seats and Madison cursed herself for not closing it. She moved farther into the van.
“Can I help you?" she heard Q ask.
“Just checking out your van," a voice replied. Not the voice of the man who chased her, maybe he had an accomplice.
This cloak and dagger stuff took a piece out of her. Now she was hearing zebras instead of horses. She wanted out so badly.
The rest of the conversation was muffled. The tone didn't sound aggressive. When Q climbed into the van, she crept forward.
“Stay," he said and she stopped her movement.
“They gone?"
“Not yet."
He held up a hand, his gaze out the side window. “Okay. They're gone."
“Was it the same guy?" she asked as she climbed into her seat.
“No, but he was too interested in the van. I'll keep an eye out for them."
“Good."
“I'll take you home, but you need to tell me your story."
She bit her lip. How much would he believe? She wouldn't believe any of it if she hadn't lived it.
“Okay, but keep an open mind."
- Writer
