Sarah - Chico sees

From last time ....

Meanwhile, Sarah was just getting her Jeep stuck in the sand, Two Feathers was hiding behind a bush, and the Sheriff's men were just beginning to find pieces of Skinny scattered around Jake's trailer - or what was left of it.

And now ....

She slowed the jeep down out on the highway and then slowly turned left into Ma's dusty parking lot. She got out and walked into the small lobby of the motel. Jake and Ma were there.

"Hi, Jake. Hi, Ma." She walked over to Jake. "Two Feathers is gathering people together to pack up the store like you asked. He says he'll have it done before sundown."

"Good. One less thing to worry about for now."

"That guy you know - Stafford? His car blew up about a mile or so down the road from the store and Two Feathers' cousin said the Sheriff arrested four men on explosives charges."

"Good. Another thing less to worry about for now. It'll be days before they get out of jail."

"Oh .. and Two Feathers says it WAS your trailer that blew up this morning - he was right near your mailbox when it went. He seems to think there are still pieces of that thing coming down."

"Damn. Well, it is what it is. We'll just have to make do at the line shack for a while until I figure out how all this is going to play out. Meanwhile, we have your training to attend to, don't we?"

"Well, yeah, I was kinda wonderin' about that."

"No problem. In fact, let's get goin'. Out to the line shack and get started. Ma? Is it okay if I leave my car parked around back? I don't want it where it can be seen from the road."

"Sure, Jake. You can leave it here. You want a tarp over it? Or will you be comin' back right away?"

"You can cover it up if you wanna. That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all."

"Well then, you kids get outta here so I can get some stuff done around here and don't worry 'bout your car, Jake. Jus' gimme yer keys. I'll take care of it."

"Thanks, Ma. If you didn't remind me of a Gunnery Sergeant with a bad disposition I'd marry ya. I would."

"Ya. Right. Get outta here. Smartass Marine."

Jake and Sarah walked out to the Jeep, got in and drove away.

Ma walked over to the counter and sat on the stool next to the register.

The phone rang. It was Two Feathers.

"No. Jake isn't here, Billy. What's up? .... Well ... you just tell Sully you don't know where he is - and tell him it ain't no use comin' up here lookin' fer him, either. Unless he wants his nose busted again ... just tell 'im, Billy. He ain't here."

Damn. That's all I need. I better get that car moved around back pronto. Sully may not come in here but that don't mean he can't drive by. I can't let him see that car.

Across the highway, Chico sat in his car while Manuel filled it up with gas, and he watched Ma come out of the Motel and get in Jake's car and drive it around back. Sully gonna wanna know dees.

He paid his gas and turned south, toward the gun shop.