Chapter Three
Lexie waited until she was certain the rest of the town was asleep, slipped out of the Cozy Cone, and drove to Radiator Springs' only working payphone. She asked the operator for Finn McMissile, and after a few rings, Finn said, "I was wondering when someone in that little town would call."
"Where are you right now?" Lexie asked.
"Holley's on her way to Radiator Springs for her break. I'm staying in London for some business."
"Does it have to do with Montgomery?"
"Actually, yes. You're getting better at this sort of thing."
"What about him, exactly? Is he breaking out of prison?"
"He's working on it, and I'm in contact with one of his fellow inmates to monitor him more closely."
"He's planning to break out?"
"Yes. I told them a prison sentence would be too light, but BI leadership is overrun with supporters of his, and most of them won't hear a word of his dangerous nature."
"So he's got cars on his side still?"
"Yes, and personally I find it rather bothersome, if not outright nervewracking."
"So our safest bet is..."
"Not yet. Right now our safest bet is to keep track from a distance. What we learn will determine our course of action."
"Right, got it, last resort business. We're good."
"Good."
"So you're staying there to wait for news as to what Montgomery's doing?"
"Yes, and I'll be sure to let you know anything I find out. Don't be surprised if you hear a voice in your head, because all of us have communication systems that work that way."
"Uh, okay."
"We're going to take care of this."
"Can you?"
"Excuse me?"
"What if he's too powerful and influential for you to deal with and you need some car like me behind you?"
"You mean a Ceres?"
"That was what you called me back in Axle's garage."
"I could tell you were searching for the word, which is, in fact, Ceres."
"Okay. So, what if you need a Ceres behind you?"
"Do you really think you can fight him off, perhaps even..."
Lexie paused. "I dunno," she whispered.
"The only true test of how one will react in a situation is being placed in that exact situation. I'd like to say 'be careful,' but since you handle yourself well, all I'll tell you is to be strong."
"Thanks."
"If anything happens, you'll be the first to know."
"Thanks."
Finn hung up, and Lexie turned to face Route Sixty-Six. The half-moon shone overhead, giving the black pavement a light grey hue. The stars danced, adding their light to the small, dark town as it slept. Lexie let out a sigh and closed her eyes. Monitoring Montgomery's movements wasn't as good as talking to him, but she had a strong feeling Finn would do everything in his power to make sure she stayed as far away from the creep as possible.
She turned and drove back toward the Cozy Cone.
CARS
Within hours, racers from all over the world had driven into Radiator Springs. Francesco drove over to Lightning and Lexie and said, "Ciao, McQueen, Mini McQueen."
"Hey, Freakcesco," Lexie replied.
"Hate to say it, but I'm siding with my daughter on that one," Lightning added. "Ready to race?" The two began revving their engines as if to size each other up, and Lexie turned away, closing her eyes and shaking her hood.
"You two have fun. I'll go find a seat." She drove along the track to a natural ledge overlooking Willie's Butte. "Oh, just my luck," she said as she settled in next to Alex.
"I thought you'd be happy to see me," Alex replied.
"I am, but I'm not gonna lie. I'm biased and I think my dad's gonna win." Alex laughed. "I'm serious."
"I know, I know."
"Who's your money on?"
"Nobody. I don't care for a lot of racers, really."
"Is it about the whole we-hate-lemons thing, or is it because most of them are cocky tailpipes?"
"Both, in varying combinations depending on the racer."
Lexie smiled. "Some of them are decent cars."
"I know. I'm glad your dad likes me."
"Well, you chased after me and helped me get out alive. I think that's good enough for him to at least consider."
"Parents' seal of approval is always good."
"Yeah. So, how're those families of yours? Doing well ever since this whole thing started?"
"Yeah."
"Good. At least something is going good."
"What do you mean?"
"I talked to Finn last night over the phone." She summarized her conversation the previous night as well as possible, and when she finished, she said, "So now my plan to talk to Montgomery's up in the air and my suspicions have been proven true. We weren't safe with him behind bars, because he could get out."
"Of a maximum security prison?"
"He's the ex-spy car chief. Whatever he needs to do, he can figure out how to do it, and since he's got supporters within British Intelligence, they could always work to get him out if it ever came to that."
"Look, Lexie, if you need me to-"
"No. This is my fight, and I fully intend to fight it, no matter what happens."
"Okay," Alex whispered, looking down at the track. Lexie watched as the racers came into view, Francesco and Lightning vying for the lead spot as if the entire world were watching. In spite of everything, she chuckled.