Time to get out of Dodge...

In the last couple of days, I've managed to get to the bank in Albany and withdraw most all of the cash from the safety deposit box. There is a few thousand left in there, just for emergencies, but the rest is with me.

A cab took me from downtown, which really isn't that large, past a few used car lots. I wanted something I could pay cash for without alarming anyone, especially the IRS. So, I had an arbitrary limit of $5,000, which shouldn't ring any bells.

I found an older Chevy Impala, with only 75,000 miles on it; paid cash and drove it off the lot. The IDs I gave the dealership were false, a rush job, but the people in the dealership didn't question anything. With the economy in the dumper, all they cared about was the cash. I was happy to give a semi-spirited negotiation as to the price, but caved easily. I just wanted to make sure they were ready to close everything and let me drive out of there.

Although I have a temporary plate on the car, I'll either ditch it somewhere or steal a plate off another car. For today, at least, nothing to worry over. Just down the block from where I got the car, I dropped into a convenience store to fill the tank, grab something to eat and get a map of the east coast.

Getting out of Albany is easy, just jump on I-90 going east towards Boston where I plan to catch I-95 south. I got until Key West to make up my mind where to stop for a while. Once on the road, and still in Albany, I used a new pre-paid cell phone to call my benefactor's number. Although he had called me a few days ago, he failed to disguise the Caller ID, which showed on the cell's display. I have a good memory.

"Hello?"

"I want my 20k."

"Ah, Mr. Stevens. I didn't think I would hear from you again. Did you like my little present?"

"No. Not one bit. It was cruel and completely unnecessary, but more than anything else, it was obscene."

"Oh, I think it was necessary, Mr. Stevens. And, as far as the rest, call it what you want."

"Why? What possible reason could you have to do that to someone?"

"I wanted to get your attention and it worked, didn't it? It's important for you to understand I know who you are and can use that information for my security. As of now, you're not tied to Varden, unless you were stupid and I don't think you are. But, if we can't get along..."

"What do you want?" What is it you want me to do?"

"Nothing yet, but I'll have an assignment in due time. Just plan on calling me in a week or so at this number."

"What if I give your number to the police?"

"Go ahead. The number is re-routed so many times, it's impossible to locate and, it's not through the telephone company. It's Voice Over IP, an Internet number. In the mean time, make yourself comfortable and call me back next week. I'll tell you where you can pick up your money at that time."

The line went dead.

I pressed the end key to terminate the connection, wiped the phone thoroughly and disposed of it before getting too far down the road. Isn't this a pile of shit. I'm caught in a trap I helped create; wanting just to get out of everyone's life, even my own, and a voice, belonging to someone I don't know, has too much information about me. Like I said before, I'm royally fucked.

I had to force myself to slow the car under the speed limit and not pass other cars like an idiot. That's a sure way to get someone's attention and by someone, I meant police. Up until I went to Varden's house, I was in complete control, or so I thought. All I had to do was complete that one job and disappear again. Now, where was I? I'll tell you where I am. I'm the fucking target; I'm a fucking puppet.

I'm heading south. Instead of taking I-90 towards Boston, I'm going to cut over to I-87 and go south, past New York. Time to get out of Dodge...