Merry Christmas everyone!
By the time the two cars were dragged back to the compound they were cold, wet and miserable. The courtyard, which had been bustling when they had arrived was eerily empty. Boxes and barrels were staked into trailers and a final inspection was being done before the doors were closed.
Monroe was waiting with a frown on his face. The little Pacer car from earlier was next to him, quivering with rage.
"How could you let them escape?" The latter exploded at the Raptors. The tow truck hauling McQueen rolled his eyes.
"They didn't let them escape," Monroe corrected, bored of the little car's attitude. "They're right here, aren't they?"
"They almost did!" The small car continued, almost blowing all of his gaskets. "Through the back door no less! Why do you even have a back door."
"It's standard security procedure in case of a fire," Monroe said impatiently. "What, you expect me to double check every single little detail by tire? We're in the middle of nowhere. There's no lasting damage." Nodding back inside the building Monroe ordered the tow trucks,"Take them back in."
"No damage?" The Pacer car practically squeaked. "That old senile cleaner got away!"
The two race cars cast a hopeful glance at each other before the truck towing McQueen went in front of the one towing Strip.
"She'll probably break down before she gets too far," Monroe rolled his eyes. "And I already have someone looking for her. She won't. Get. Far."
The Pacer car's angry retort was lost on Strip as the tow trucks hauled them back into their old 'cell'. The two cars were unceremoniously dropped and Weathers winced as his axle took even more abuse. Lightning glared hatefully at the tow trucks, who drove away without the slightest bit of care.
The Ford Raptors quickly resumed their previous position, but it was clear to the two racers that they were more alert.
"Do you really think she'll break down?" Lightning asked Strip quietly as something interesting enough came onto the news to distract the Raptors for a second.
"That car is one of the most stubborn I've ever seen," Weathers said with conviction. "She won't stop until she's completed her mission."
"You were right, Finn," Holley commented as the two cars drove past the two sleeping trucks.
After Siddeley had landed in a small field further up the road, the two cars had promptly donned their disguises (their accents would stand out enough without their models catching additional attention) and driven until they had reached an old, beaten track. Holley's GPS couldn't tell where they were, but Finn seemed confident so Holley had followed without asking what the final destination was.
"Well, Holley, this is where Doctor Hudson's old headquarters used to be," Finn explained as they drove past the sleeping trucks. "And I think that's it over there."
Holley drove over to the top of the hill, seeing the faded sigh but opting to study the track instead.
"It's quite worn down," she commented, thinking the track looked a little sad.
"Well, it's probably been more than 20 yeas since it was last used," Finn responded. "The racing board of the Piston Cup decided to switch to asphalt quite a while ago."
"I thought you didn't follow the Piston Cup races," Holley drove next to Finn as they descended the small hill towards the little town.
"I don't really," Finn admitted. "But because of the nature of this case I decided to do a little research."
"And... Mater told you all about it, didn't he?" Holley guessed, remembering their last visit to Radiator Springs.
"Yes," Finn admitted with a small smile. "That as well."
The two cars reached a small bar with a sign saying 'The Cotter Pin Bar and Grill'. Finn entered, and Holley followed, supposing this place was the local hangout and that they would find Doc Hudson close by. The inside of the bar was a little smoky, but nice and warm compared to the chilliness outside.
"Can I get you anything?" Finn asked as they took a table by the wall, far away from the band.
"A pint please," Holley replied. "Of anything really."
Finn went to the counter, giving Holley plenty of time to scout around. She noticed a particularly loud group at the back of the bar and recognized the black and white Sheriff from Radiator Springs. She glanced away, knowing that she might be recognized but as she drove past caught sight of a car with huge horns on his hood. He seemed to be talking animatedly with three old race cars, most likely from Doc's era.
"And then," the female race car chatted. "Doc came in front behind the trees straight behind Moon."
The car who Holley presumed to be 'Moon' protested loudly at this.
"Turns out he had found an old track none of us had ever noticed," the other car said, and that was the last Holley heard before she headed back to the table. She didn't see the Hudson Hornet anywhere. Finn was waiting for her.
"Well?" He asked.
"Tex Dinoco is here," Holley reported. "He's talking with some of Doc's old racing friends along with Sheriff."
"We'll have to make sure he doesn't recognize us," Finn agreed with Holley's unspoken statement.
"Doc is definitely here," Holley commented. "Are we going to stay here and wait for him?"
"Exactly what I was thinking," Finn agreed, and a thanked a forklift who brought them their drinks. "Cheers," he said and rook a sip through the straw.
Holley took a sip and almost spat the strange liquid out.
"What is this?" She exclaimed in a hushed down after swallowing the vile drink.
"Why, Miss Shiftwell," Finn grinned. "It's moonshine."
"What?" Holley whispered. "This... this is moonshine?" She looked at it incredulously.
"Rather common in these parts," Finn was still grinning. "You don't like it?"
Holley took a small sip and swallowed the offensive liquid with an effort.
"It's... a little strong," she admitted. "And not exactly legal."
"Well, not much we can do unfortunately," Finn shrugged.
"Not our jurisdiction?" Holley questioned, taking another small sip.
"That, and we're undercover."
Honestly, when Tex had volunteered to come with Doc on this spontaneous road trip he didn't except to have so much fun. The driving had, of course, been long and tedious, but now that he was at the Cotter Pin, Tex found himself enjoying himself despite the situation. The Sheriff had mellowed a little bit and was trading stories with River about Doc. The cars here had a blunt whit and cutting honesty that Tex had experienced growing up. While the billionaire now moved among some of the most exclusive circles in the country, he hadn't forgotten his roots. He often went back to his hometown and would just appear at a rodeo hosted by one of his cousins. He wasn't treated much different there, but his standing in the community had definitely shifted a little. He supposed that was natural considering he had turned the town around when he bought big money and a high lifestyle into a small place like that.
Still, he went back often just for the conversation. In the business world there were all sorts of connotations, undertones and wheeling and dealing. Tex could play that game just as well as any other car, but it exhausted him sometimes. It was nice just to get his tires back on the ground and be around cars that wouldn't hold back their opinion to spare his feelings. Already, these racers had sharply contradicted him twice, and took any opportunity they could to throw in a witty verbal barb. Tex, of course, had retaliated, and if his words would be used against him later on, well, he wasn't too worried.
The Sheriff had been a little bit overwhelmed by the quick flying conversation, being more used to the lazy laid-back way of Radiator Springs, but as Doc had introduced him as a friend, the other cars accepted him as such and he eased up around them. It only took the racers a few minutes to warm up the the billionaire and by the time Doc had figured out who might be after McQueen the five cars were talking like old friends.
"So you're telling me," Sheriff leaned forward. "That Doc had eyes for Lou?"
"Oh, he sure did," the race car looked pleased at herself. "Almost asked me out once."
"Why didn't he?" Sheriff asked eagerly.
"Oh, now that's a long story," Moon cut in. "We might need another round for that."
"Didn't you say you'd pay for that?" River glanced at Tex.
"I do believe I did," Tex stated. "Let me just go order another round. Don't go telling Sheriff everything while I'm gone."
"Oh, well maybe we'll talk about you instead," Lou teased.
"Well, I'd be mighty honoured by that," Tex shot back cheerfully. "Especially since you won't say a bad word about the car who drove all the way here just to buy you drinks."
"You rode most of the way!" Sheriff called out and Tex drove towards the counter, shaking his head with a smile. He caught sight of Finn and Holley at the table but didn't pay much mind to two new cars.
The billionaire didn't notice as the door of the bar opened very slowly. He also didn't notice an old car peek in and look around nervously.
Deborah was wet and tired. She had traveled slowly through the woods and almost lost her bearings until she had found an old dirt track. She knew that the two race cars had been caught and probably wouldn't be able to escape a second time.
She had stumbled upon Thomasville on purpose, but a sense of loathing had entered once she arrived. There were so many memories associated with this place. Memories she'd much rather forget. But because of her stupidity two cars were now in danger and she needed to make right what she had broken. She glanced around the room, recognizing a few of the locals. She wouldn't tell any of them. They might remember her and as a result despise her, or maybe even pity her. No... She needed to tell someone she didn't know. There were those two cars sitting by a table... Or maybe the barkeeper. As her eyes drifted over to the bar she gave a small jolt. That was Tex Dinoco, the big-shot oil tycoon. She should tell him, the blue car was his racer, wasn't he?
No Deborah immediately drew back. That car was a billionaire. He wouldn't pay attention to a small car like her... But maybe... She rolled forward a little curious, although she was definitely cautious. The car was laughing and chatting with the forklift at the bar, a very pleasant mannerism around him. He didn't seem to have the least bit of airs, at least, none that she could see.
Yes, Tex Dinoco was the car she needed to talk to.
"Alright, Deborah, time to fix the mess you made."
The old car set her mouth in a grim, straight line and rolled forward to where Tex was telling the forklift to bring some more drinks over to the table.
"Mr. Dinoco?" She asked, and the old car looked towards her, blue eyes alert.
"Howdy Ma'm," he greeted. "What can I do for you?"
Deborah hesitated and scraped together all of her courage.
"I know where them race cars are."
Tex's eyes widened and the previous pleasant persona from earlier was gone to be replaced by apprehension and a little bit of fear mixed with hope.
"Are you sure?" He asked, rolling forward a little.
"Yes," the old car nodded.
"Did you see them?" Tex asked.
"I helped carnap them," the old car said bluntly.
Tex was stunned silent by her confession, but recovered quickly.
"Well, the reward money will go to anyone..."
"I don't want no money!" Deborah snapped proudly. "Look, I did wrong by those racers, and now they're in danger. I came here to tell someone in order to rescue them."
She didn't notice the door open.
"Really?" A voice sounded from behind her, making the old car jump and turn around quickly. An angry looking Hudson Hornet was glaring at her with a pick up truck still standing by the door, recognition all over his features. The Hudson Hornet spoke again.
"Then you better tell us everything."