Chapter 3

Brian sat in the interrogation room with his hands cuffed. 'Why' he asked himself. No one else had gotten arrested. It seems that they were only after him. Finally someone came into the room.

"So how long you been in south Florida?"

"Awhile." He said nonchalantly.

"Before that?" Brian kept his mouth shut. "We know your Brian O'Connor, formerly of the L.A.P.D."

"You've got the wrong guy." He said.

"Really?" Brian just nodded his head thinking he would get out of this. Just then the door opened and his face dropped. In walked Bilkins.

"How you doin', O'Connor? Let's take a walk." Markham threw the keys to the cuffs to Bilkins. They ended up in the debriefing room where Markham was giving the low down on the assignment.

"Carter Verone. Born in Argentina. But he's lived most of his life in Miami. Now he owns the biggest import/export business in the state. Unfortunately, the cartels have been successful in getting the drugs into Miami. But they've had a hard time getting' the cash out. We've been surveilling him for a year, but we've never been able to put him and the money together. We've swept his house his warehouses-"

"Nothing." Interrupted Bilkins. "Customs here has done a great job of getting us this far. I'm just here to help get them over the top."

"I was able to get an agent in undercover, working travel and logistics for him. Recently, Verone put her in charge of finding some new drivers."

"Right. Although we can't confirm her status right now." Said Bilkins.

"You think she's flipped?" asked Brian.

"She's one of mine. She's all right."

"She's been in with Verone nearly a year. Even lives at the compound with him now."

"Look." Said Markham obviously annoyed. "It was the F.B.I.'s idea to bring you in here. I'm against it. But we need some good drivers that can put this asshole and his money together. Your gonna roll with Agent Dunn here."

"And if I don't?" said Brian.

"Well, here's a list of the laws you broke in L.A. Obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting. You know the rap sheet. Now, we can make this all go away in the interest of justice, if you're willing to play ball."

"Yeah." Brian sighed. "So what's the idea here? Dunn and I are supposed to be street racers?"

"That's right."

Brian looked over to Dunn as he slurped his drink. "So, Dunn, looks like we're gonna be partners, bro. Could you tell me right quick what would be a better motor for my Skyline, a Gallo 12 or a Gallo 24?"

Dunn looked confused and he glanced to Markham. Markham just nodded. Dunn cleared his throat, "Um, the 24."

"I didn't know pizza places made motors." Dunn just looked down to his cup. Brian scoffed and turned. "See, man, come on. I can't do this. I mean seriously if this is what your gonna give me, I may as well take my chances in Chino."

"We will get someone else."

"No way, man. The only way I'll do this is if I get to pick the driver."

Bilkins sighed. "All right, O'Connor, who you got in mind?"

"This girl I grew up with in Barstow."

"Who is that?"

"Ashley Johnson."

Brian and Bilkins made their way to Barstow the next day. They walked into the Barstow Speedway and sat down watching the show. A Monte Carlo was waiting to rev the engine. The car shot off and slammed right into the other car pushing him into the fence. Everyone scattered.

"Hi-oh! What- That's your girl in the Monte Carlo?"

"Yeah, that's her. Yeah, she's got some skills."

"Mm-hmm."

"And she's crazy as hell, I'm telling ya." Bilkins gave Brian a look. "In a good way though. She's the right one for the job."

The Monte Carlo was hit. She pushed the hood back down and kept driving.

"She's got quite a record, including three years upstate. Says here she's on house arrest now. Can't go more than 100 yards from her home."

The Monte Carlo came around the bend and clipped the car, sending it flipping. The Monte Carlo came to a stop. Out climbed a woman with blonde hair. The man on the p.a. shouted her name. She looked back amongst the crowd to wave when she saw him. The man that she had grew up with. The man that took her heart and still had it. She mumbled a few words and walked away.

"She always said she'd be famous." Said Brian.

Ashley was walking back to her trailer. She couldn't believe that after so many years, Brian was there. 'Why is he here? What could he possibly have to do down here. God I hope he's not here for me. I couldn't handle it.' She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard her name. She knew who it was.

"Johnson! Ashley Johnson! Yo, whatever happens next, just let it go."

"I ain't in it." said Bilkins.

Brian whistled. "Ash!" Ashley stopped. Only one person had ever called her that. He had no right to come down here after all these years and start using her nickname which he had given her. She turned around with reluctance and looked at him. He still looked good as ever. She pushed down those thoughts.

"No one calls me Ash, Pig." She spat.

"I'm not a cop anymore."

"Is that true? Bri here's not a cop anymore?" she said as she started walking over.

"That's true no badge."

Ashley stopped right in front of him. She nodded her head and looked away. She looked back and gave Brian a hard right hook. He stumbled back a ways when she came after him. She started hitting him again but he pulled her to the ground. She kept hitting him and punching him.

"You still fight like shit. You still fight like shit-." He was cut off by a kick to the side. He tried to defend himself but proved no avail.

"What the hell are you doin' here, O'Connor? I told you to stay away from-." She said as she punched him. He finally got her in a headlock but she still kept hitting him.

"You should've told me. I did three years, Brian."

"I told you it wasn't my fault."

Ashley got out of his grip and pushed him back to the ground. She crawled away and sat towards him, exhausted.

"Why did you come here, O'Connor?"

"I got a deal for you." He said as he threw sand at her.

"When I needed your ass you were nowhere to be found. Now you tryin' to hand out deals?" She said as she pointed to her anklet. She got up and went to walk away but was intercepted by Brian.

"I need you to come to Miami and drive with me. If you do, they'll take off that anklet and they'll clear your entire record."

Ashley just glared at him. How could he out of nowhere come down here and ask her a favor. After everything that he caused her. Where was he when she needed him?

"I did three years in jail. Three years in jail off you, Brian. I know you better than you think."

"Maybe you don't. Maybe you don't."

She pushed him away. 'I not know him? I fuckin grew up with him! How could I not know him. Ugh! He irritates me! But then I still love him.' She walked over to her trailer to see Bilkins sittin there.

"You guys finished?"

"This deal legit?"

"That's right, if you do this job for us."

"Told you." Said Brian.

"Shut up, punk." She snapped. "So you gonna clean my record and get this thing off my ankle."

"That's right. I thought you couldn't wander more than 100 yards from your home." Asked Bilkins.

"Why do you think I'm parked so close to the derby?"

"Man, quit playin' like you gonna pass this up." Brian said as he smiled.

Ashley just glared at him and mumbled a few things underneath her breath. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow, why?" asked Bilkins.

"I've got a few things to take care of first before I leave. That alright?"

"Yep. We'll pick you up at noon. That okay?"

"Yea. Fine." Bilkins nodded and left. She looked over to Brian to see him lookin at her. He had that same penetrating gaze. She took one last glance at him and went into her trailer. She had a few things to take care of before she left. One thing that was major. She had to make a phone call.

"Mom? Hey it's me. No I'm fine. Um, I have a favor to ask." Once she was done with her mother, the usual things had to happen. She had to pack, do some laundry and clean her place first. Tomorrow would be full of surprises. She just hoped she could contain herself long enough to get it over with, and get home.

What is the favor she had to ask her mom? Ooooo, sneaky. Anywho, please review and tell me what you thought.