Lightning stood a ways away. Watching Jackson quietly and sort of secretly. He didn't want to make Jackson drive any differently. The young man was improving. 25 miles per hour in a single line. It was actually a little surprising. Jackson stopped the simulator and got out. He had a head ache. It was stressful and exhausting. Lightning looked at the time. He needed to think of a plan. So he snuck out...
Sally knew only three people would have access to the security room that possibly held whatever had really happened between Lightning and Cleo in that office dinner. Sheriff, the security officer, and the mayor. She had to know. Her heart ached thinking that Lightning might have actually slept with her again. Cheating again. Sally had enough of that with men, with Lightning. She was going to go crazy without the truth. Not to mention how Lightning was keeping secrets, too many secrets now. Sally just knew Sheriff would give her the keys. Sheriff would be the easiest and quickest way to get to the tapes.
"I can't do that." Sheriff answered. Sally's expression changed. "What?.. Why not?" she asked. "Those cameras recorded Cleo and her dirty schemes and... And Lightning might be being black mailed on that tape!" she shouted. Sheriff sighed explaining the laws "I can't even take those tapes without an actual crime being reported. They are the mayor's property. Without cause I"-"Don't tell me the law!.. I know how it works.." Sally growled and kind of pouted. "Do you have actual proof?" "No." "Than I can't give you access. You know that and I'm sorry." Sheriff apologized. Sally shook her head. She wasn't a lawyer so any crime work she did would be illegal.
"Come on Sheriff.. Please.." She begged. Sheriff's brows lowered and he scolded "No! This town has suffered enough lately! Between all the crime going up, Gage, drugs, all these crazy things Cleo is always up to!? The rise in amount of.. Working.. Women.. We can't fight crime illegally. We need justice." Sally knew he was right. Which gave her an idea. "I can't be mayor for a few years but.. What if I took my place back as the town's lawyer?" she asked. Sheriff shrugged "You quit for your kids." "I quit to spend time with the husband who cheated on me and to raise my children in a better place. You said it yourself.. Sheriff, this town is going to ruin if Cleo continues as mayor.. As the town's lawyer I will be able to monitor that woman. I can deny her schemes as best interest of the town and hire a counsil."
Sheriff sighed. It didn't seem like such a bad idea. "But it wouldn't happen unless Cleo approved it." he reminded. Sally thought about that. Cleo would never approve Sally becoming the town's legal attorney again. "Unless the council out voted her to it." Sally exclaimed. Though true, Sheriff reminded "The town doesn't have a counsil though." "Not yet. But your the sheriff. Get a counsil made up. Then I can get my position back." she was losing it. Sally knew she was. Cleo was turning her into a crazy person. "It's time someone puts a leash on this bitch." Sally muttered before leaving. And though this plan would be good for the future of Radiator Springs, Sally still needed to get the security key for those tapes...
The officer placed a photo of Cleo down in front of Chick. Chick raised a brow and asked "What's this?" "Were you or were you not engaged to this woman?" the man asked. Chick sighed admitting "I was. But that was before I found out she was a psycho." "Why would you call her that?" "Cause she is." Chick answered. The officer sat down and explained the situation "We know Cleo's phone was what cut communication between Storm and his coach. Cleo will be questioned again. The question is? What will she have to say about you?"
Chick's eyes widened. "Hey! I had nothing to do with her weird plans!" he defended. The officer snickered asking "Really? Because Storm said you handed him his helmet. In order for her phone to have the capability it did, the helmet would have been tampered with." Chick realized the trouble he was in. "Listen, I don't know what old Stormy boy told you? But he left it in his trailer. I was helping him out." Chick explained. The officer didn't quite believe him. "Helping Storm? Or Miss De Frank?" he asked. Chick swallowed hard. "I want my lawyer!" Chick yelled! The officer sighed and stood up. "Fine. Until then.."
He stepped out and locked the door. Until Chick's lawyer arrived, there was nothing more they could discuss. The officer stood next to his partner. "Think this one will talk?" The man nodded. "We cut him the right deal.. This one knows a lot. Let's get his lawyer here. This one will tell us the peice we've been missing."...
Jackson was walking back to his car when he got a call from Cleo. She wanted to speak with him. He sighed. He vaguely knew she did something to or with Lightning that got deleted from a phone. Working for Sally to get into Cleo's trust box and working for Cleo to keep Lightning busy was tiring and at times confusing. Cleo needed him at her office. He had to go.
Jackson barely made it into the building when Cleo approached him. "Jackson! My favorite person!" she greeted. Jackson wasn't so sure about that. "What did you want to speak about?" he asked. Cleo motioned for him to follow and up to her office alone they went. Cleo locked the door behind them and began "You're not doing a good enough job of keeping Lightning busy." Jackson's brows lowered and he defended himself "I am doing the best I can. He's already training me to the point I'm exhausted!" "Than how did he and Cal have time to bother me about stupid contracts this morning!?" she was angry. Jackson shrugged replying "I don't know?"
Cleo screamed back "Well it is YOUR job to keep him busy! If you can't do that than you are worthless to me" Worthless to her. Jackson stared at her and those words settled in. "Did you have something to do with the accident?.." he asked. Cleo felt her heart sink. "What?" Jackson glared and stepped closer as he asked again. This time more firmly "Did you have something to do with the accident?" He was up in her face, against her body. Cleo's brows lowered. "Are you threatening me?" she asked. Jackson cocked his head slightly. Trying to figure out what this woman wanted from him. "Depends.. Should I be?" he asked.
"Did you try to frame me? Do you want me taken out? Is that it?" he asked further. Cleo's eyes widened. "What? No! Don't be ridiculous Jackson. I need you. I need you to keep Lightning even more busy now. Can you do that?" Her hand grazed his chest. Jackson slightly smiled and snickered before grabbing her hand and reminding "I like men more than old ladies." Cleo glared then slapped Jackson across the face! That burned. "Just keep McQueen busy." she ordered. "You'll do what I say if you want what I promised you." "Or you'll take me out? Right?" he snarled.
Cleo glared and growled "Go do what I told you!" Jackson rubbed his cheek. It didn't really hurt. But it had him thinking. Maybe Cleo did want to take him out. Maybe she was the cause of the accident and not him after all. As Jackson left, Cleo realized.. She didn't have any allies any longer. And she was going to need a few to keep her position...
Lightning walked out and locked up his home. He sighed. He was going to Cleo's office. He had no idea what to expect except probably more sex. As long as it kept Sally out of danger, he'd do anything he had to. As he opened the door to his car he heard a vehicle pull up his drive. He turned and sighed. Sally. She got out and walked up greeting "Hey.." He stared. "You know?.. We should talk about some things.. We shouldn't be keeping secrets from each other Lightning." He frowned. He knew she was right but he couldn't let her know his dark secrets and what happened.
"I have to go.. Please move your car." he asked. Sally shook her head. "Not until you tell me what is going on." Lightning sighed again. Sally was so.. Gosh! So stubborn! "You have to stop." he snapped. "Stop trying to dig and find answers to questions you don't need to know!" he yelled. Sally became a little angry and snapped back "But I want to know! I want to help! Tell me what happened between you and Cleo.. Tell me and.. And I'll forgive you!" She tried to assure him. Lightning breathed a bit heavier as he became more and more frustrated. "Stop! You have no idea what you are talking about!" "Because you won't talk to me!" she yelled. Lightning growled loudly, "Dammit Sally!.."
Lightning slammed his car door shut. "Why couldn't you stay away! It isn't safe here! Not for you or the kids!.. Cleo"-"Cleo what!? Tell me. Tell me Lightning. What is the absolute worst she can do?" Lightning stared at Sally. Part of him thought of telling her how it is, how it was. But he shook his head without answering. Sally glared and quietly in a way, threatened "I'm going to find out.. One way or another Lightning.. So save us both the trouble and talk to me." Lightning swallowed hard. It was painful. He could hear and feel his heartbeat in his head pulsing.
He looked at her with these painful eyes. Something was wrong. "I'm asking you.. To let this go... Let me go.." he softly whined. Sally's eyes widened. Was he serious? "So whatever Cleo has done..Is so bad.. That everything we worked to get back is now trash?" she asked. Lightning stared atthe ground. What was he suppose to do? Confess? "I have another meeting with the mayor.. I really can't be late.." Lightning exclaimed. Sally glared. Oh she was angry. "Lightning.. Don't do this." She begged softly. Lightning looked at her and his brows lowered. "I love you. It's because I love you that I refuse to let anything happen to you. Get in your car and leave." He ordered. "You can't tell me to leave." Sally snapped.
Lightning stepped up in her face. Pinning her between him and the car. "Leave." He ordered firmly. Sally stared into his eyes. It wasn't like him. He wasn't himself right now. Her eyes teared up as her face crinkled up as if she were about to just burst into tears. "Fine.." She whimpered. She shoved him back a step or two before stomping to her car and leaving. Lightning watched her go. He was furious. Once she was out of sight, Lightning his the top of his car hard! Not really hurting the car but it hurt his wrist a bit. He was so angry. Cleo was going to pay some how. Even if he had to do things the way she was, she was going to pay for this. For everything. But the time. Right now he had to meet with Cleo first...