RUNNING AWAY

Hannibal would say that I was running away from my problems. He's probably right. I do have a bad habit of doing that; at least I know that's one thing I got from my father. He always ran away too.

I'm not even sure why I'm leaving. I don't really want to. I was just feeling a little down in the dumps since I hadn't been able to scam anybody in a while and felt rather useless. So while we were having burgers and milkshakes I told them that I was planning on leaving again. Last time I said that they looked upset. Especially Murdock who looked like he was going to cry. This time they just looked at me and nodded then asked when I was leaving.

I know I'm not that important but at least they could have made some effort to convince me to stay.

I remember one time when Hannibal told me 'The day we have permanent residence and unlimited credit is the day we don't need you'. We have a nice all-expenses-paid house in Virginia with twenty-four hour bodyguards and unlimited credit. They don't need me.

I'm no longer the official con artist; Murdock has officially replaced me. I never thought I would be replaced by him. Two years ago he couldn't have pulled a con if his life depended on it, now he gets all the girls and all the jobs. I miss scamming people. I miss the knowledge that I'm good at something even if it was only that. I could care less about the girls, they're more of a side benefit that anything else. I just miss the con.

I'm not taking all my stuff. I need to pack light. I'm just taking my .357 Magnum, sniper rifle (custom-built by myself), some jeans and shirts, socks and underwear, and one or two of my favorite suits. The last item that I'm packing is a small metal box. In it are all of the items that hold sentimental value for me like pictures of the four of us and a few other miscellaneous items.

Murdock shows up in the doorway. He's joking about taking my room and suddenly I can't stand it. I don't want to go. I want to stay right here. My smile faltered and I think he noticed. If he had just hugged me or something I would have unpacked right then and not given another thought to leaving. But he does nothing and so I continue to pack.

I forced myself to get a good night's rest since I don't know the next time I'll have an opportunity to sleep on a real bed. I'm up before the birds the next morning. I left just as Murdock got up. I snuck out of the compound, knowing that he's sitting perched on the windowsill with binoculars pressed up to his face watching me until I'm out of sight.

I know they're expecting me to come back but I don't think I will. Last time I didn't really want to leave so I didn't. I still don't want to leave but I have to. I'm going crazy stuck in this house and not being allowed to leave. I hate feeling trapped. I always have. That's one reason I hate this place.

I think I'll head back to Los Angeles and pick up the 'Vette. It was the only place I was ever really happy but somehow I doubt it'll ever be the same. Maybe after I get the car and some money I'll drive down to Florida and scam myself a beach house just to make sure I've still got the old Faceman touch. I love the beach. It always calms me down.

Stockwell will blow a gasket when he finds out but somehow that's good news to me.

We got our pardons. I read about in the newspaper. Even I got one. (I'm sure B.A. had something to do with that.)

I called just to let them know I was okay but I reached the machine so I just left a coded message, hoping that they received it.

Maybe after I get a little more money and calm down a bit maybe I'll drive up there and see them. Yeah, I would like to see them again.