The Tax Man Cometh

Astronaut, test pilot and spy Steve Austin paced the small office of his boss, Oscar Goldman.

"I can't believe it," Austin pointed to himself. "I just can't believe it!" He threw his hands up.

Goldman chuckled.

"Is isn't funny Oscar," the sandy haired man leaned forward on Goldman's desk and stared him down.

"For goodness sake Steve it's only an audit. Your acting like it's the end of the world," Goldman took a sip of his coffee.

"Believe me Oscar I'd rather stare down a terrorist then an I.R.S. agent," Austin shook his head.

"Steve you have nothing to worry about. Your honest, you have nothing worry about," Goldman turned back to his paperwork.

"Okay if that's so why did they chose me, huh? Since I'm so honest," Steve sighed and leaned on Oscar's desk.

"You're just lucky I guess pal, but before your audit I have a simple assignment for you," Goldman handed him a folder.

Glancing through it Steve winced. "A treasury agent I have to guard a treasury agent?"

"No rest for the wicked eh?" Oscar laughed while Steve steamed.

Austin paced at the airport waiting for his next assignment. The file on the agent was very vague and troublesome. Apparently this specific agent had witnessed a mob killing which involved a very unfriendly foreign country. It was determined an outside agency would be guarding him until the trail.

The flight started to deplane and Steve looked for his 'assignment'. He could see Mr. Melville and his keepers. The two men in dark suits screamed agents and he was glad he dressed casually. Austin had found a way to kill two birds with one stone; he would be watching his assignment and get ready for his audit.

Guarded on both sides by the agents the men brought Melville over to Steve.

"Gentlemen," the bionic man nodded to the Federal agents.

"Ah Colonel so nice of you to be so prompt, we have orders to escort you and Mr. Melville to your car and then you can sign the receipt," one of the men said slipping on dark sunglasses.

"I'm not a thing, Agent Cooper," Melville huffed as they quickly made their way through the busy terminal. Melville was a short, stubby, balding man, perspiration glistening on his forehead and top of his head. His ill-fitting suit looked like he had slept in it for a week. The other agent held an overnight bag and constantly looked for threats.

Steve had a feeling he work would be cut out for him. "Right this way gentlemen, I've parked in the short term lot," he walked quickly also looking for threats only his bionic eye made it easier. So without further problems, Melville was loaded into his car and he bid adieu to the Feds.

Within minutes Melville started talking, non-stop. Like a fly buzzing around his ears, Steve tried to tune the man out.

"I asked you a question, I believe they called you colonel," Melville demanded.

"Huh? You say something?" Steve squinted at the obsequious man.

"I asked where you are taking me. Where are we? This looks like desert," Melville spat.

"Yes Mr. Melville most of California is desert, besides it's better you not know where we're going. Secrecy and all that," Austin winked at the bothersome man.

"Listen, you, you. My life is on the line and you're making jokes!" Melville protested.

"Aren't you being a bit dramatic, Mr. Melville? Steve turned up his car stereo louder.

"Over reacting? I saw a man being killed and that's nothing!" his assignment turned the radio off.

"I said you got the best man for the job. Don't worry," Austin returned back to his driving and turned his stereo back on.

"You still haven't told me where we're going. I have a right to know!" Melville demanded.

"Listen Mr. Melville I do this sort of thing for a living and the less you know the better. Trust me!" Steve gave him his best smile.

It seemed to work and Melville continued to stare out of the window and let Steve drive his way.