Chapter Nine

Lexie dialled a number on the pay phone, and Alex answered with, "Howdy, stranger."

"Hey, mob car," Lexie replied. "How's your informing spree going?"

"On my way to the other side of the world to talk to Trunkov and Hugo. Curby Gremlin's gonna call a meeting, so I'll have to let him know when I tell them."

"Then what?"

"Expect a call from one of the heads of the Four Families, since they're gonna ask me who told me that Montgomery's free."

"A couple weeks and I'll be back at school."

"I know, but these aren't cars you typically refuse."

"Then I'll know exactly who to blame if I need to do six hours worth of catch-up work."

"I thought the first couple weeks of senior year were easy."

"That's not gonna stop my mom."

"True that."

"Okay, look, call me when the meeting starts, and let me know if you need me. I'll do the rest of the planning, and I'll get back to you, hopefully with a good response. How's that sound?"

"That's what we like to hear, or the best we can expect, I should say."

"That's the best I can give you, Alex. That's the way it is."

"I know. You've got a nice legit life going for you."

"I hope I can keep it that way."

"So do I."

CARS

Axlerod peered out around a rack of hoods at Tomber as he worked on a patient with whom he conversed in French. Axlerod's eyes darted to the front door every few seconds, and after he returned his attention to Tomber for what had to be the twentieth time in two minutes, gunshots rang out in the distance. Tomber hustled his patient into a secret hideout and then turned to face the door. Axlerod slipped deeper into the shadows.

Ten minutes after the shots died down, Tomber opened the door and rolled outside, exchanging phrases with a few other merchants about the shooting. He rolled back inside his shop and nodded. "It's safe," he said. Axlerod followed Tomber down the street, going with the flow of other curious merchants. At the edge of the marketplace, a small, gittery teal Sedan looked around at the crowd.

"What happened?" Tomber asked in French.

"I...I d-d-don't..." the Sedan began.

"Shh, shh. Who was shooting? Can you tell us that?"

The Sedan shook his hood. "Never seen them before," he managed before disappearing into an alley in the marketplace. Tomber nodded and then turned to Axlerod, to whom he translated and summarized the exchange. Axlerod scanned the merchants, who began to gossip anxiously amongst themselves.

"Come with me," Tomber said, turning and driving back to his shop. Unsure of what else to do, Axlerod followed. When he reached the shop, he found Tomber exchanging hurried French words with someone Axlerod assumed was Finn. The French Reliant Regal hung up and turned to Axlerod. "Finn is on his way to pick you up," he said. "It's no longer safe for you here."

"Where am I going next?"

"I cannot say. Finn wouldn't tell me. I can understand, though. If your enemies catch me, I cannot tell you where you are being hidden, no matter what they do to me. I'll still come up with a bullshit story. I have to."

"Will it save your life?"

"Most likely. I know it will save yours?"

"Why do you care about me? I'm a complete and utter shmuck."

"And you're my best customer. Besides, I am doing a favor for Finn."

"I take it you're close."

"In a way." Tomber rolled closer to Axlerod. "Listen to me, and listen closely. You need to hide. Don't come out, ever, not even when I do not have customers or patients. Hide, and don't come out until I tell you to. Do you understand?" Axlerod nodded. "Good, now pick a place and don't tell me about it." Axlerod nodded again, and Tomber called his patient out of his hiding place to resume work on him. Axlerod ducked behind a small rack and peered out from around the corner, wondering what could come through that door next.

CARS

"Siddeley, I've got a job for you," Finn said over the communication system.

"On my way," Siddeley replied.

"Where are you going?" Holley asked.

"Paris," Finn replied.

"What happened? Is the informant safe?"

"Yes, but not for long. There's been a shooting. I really must be off as soon as possible."

"Is everything alright?"

"Dear Dodge, I hope so."

Holley slipped back, and she noticed that Finn slowed slightly. Siddeley appeared on the horizon, circling into a landing out in the desert. "Do you want me to stay here?" Holley asked.

Finn sighed and turned toward her. "Yes," he whispered. "Not only for your safety, but for Alexa's as well." She nodded, and he drove toward the plane.

Siddeley lowered his ramp, and Finn boarded effortlessly. Two seconds later, the plane was gaining altitude. "Where do you intend to take your informant?" Siddeley asked over the intercom.

"I'm not sure yet," Finn replied. "He'll be safe in Radiator Springs, for now, but when tourism season starts, we'll have to find something else. Someone is bound to recognize him."

"Someone's bound to recognize him anyway."

"I know."

"Don't you worry, sir. Your informant will be in good tires. I'm sure of it."

"Thank you, Sid." Finn's gaze drifted out the window as Siddeley fired his afterburners. The desert soon gave way to the plains of the Midwest.