Chapter Three

"So, I hear you met George," Alex said, falling in beside Lexie as they drove through Tennessee.

"Yeah, I did," Lexie replied. "Why does Mater have it in his head that you're my boyfriend?"

"What?"

"Mater thinks we're an item."

"An item?" He let out a nervous laugh. "We're not an item. We're just friends."

"That's what I told him."

"Where does it come from?"

"Probably your chivalrous act at the beginning of the season."

"You...thought it was chivalrous?"

"Shouldn't I have?"

Alex laughed again. "Of course. Everyone says chivalry is dead but it's not. Duh. I'm being so stupid."

"Alex, are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

Lexie turned around to face him. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"You're driving backwards."

"Unless that's a problem, don't change the subject."

Alex sighed and looked down at the pavement. "It's just...I don't wanna scare you away or anything, because that would defeat the purpose."

"What purpose?"

"I...I..."

"You..."

Lexie turned around and slipped in front of him just as they passed a sleeping police car. Alex let out a heavy breath. "Something about Mater's theory about us sounds like a good idea."

"You want us to be a couple?"

"No, no, no, not yet. That would just be stupid. We barely know each other. But maybe later, in the future. Sometime. Maybe."

"Okay, now you can change the subject."

"Thank the Manufacturer."

CARS

"How did it go?" Holley asked once Finn returned to Siddeley's cabin.

"Better than I expected," Finn replied. "I certainly hope the same can be said for the events at the Motorspeedway of the South."

"Alexa is in very capable tires. You said so yourself."

"That doesn't mean things can't go wrong."

"Well, that's true." Holley turned toward the computer, her eyes running over the screen without really seeing anything.

"What is it?"

"I'm just worried about Mater. Montgomery's one of our most dangerous enemies yet, and he's not to be underestimated. Mater could be killed."

"So could any one of us. Holley, Montgomery is dangerous, yes, more dangerous than Zundapp, the heads of the Four Families, or even Axlerod, and thus far, no one is the wiser except us."

"Hence my worry."

"I understand."

"We have a car to find, do we not?"

Finn chuckled. "Yes, yes we do. Let's go."

CARS

Axle settled into his chair in his living room. "Okay, let's see what we got here," he said, turning on the television. His reality show was a rerun, and the news was some of the dullest he'd ever heard. He turned the television off, and he glanced up at the clock. Ten at night, fairly early in the underworld. "Holy Ford," he groaned, closing his eyes.

"You summoned?" a familiar voice asked. Torque's semi-transparent form appeared in the corner next to the door, and he was smirking.

"Monday nights suck."

Torque laughed. "Isn't that the truth. So, what's up?"

"The stars right now."

"In no mood for night life, I see."

"Holy crap. We're talking like you're still alive."

"I thought that was a good thing, but I guess you're still not quite used to this whole dead-brother-watching business."

"Maybe I am, and it just seems weird that that's true."

Torque rolled forward. "Okay, kid, let's cut the crap and have you listen to me. Everything's gone, as a friend from the afterlife said, pear-shaped. Montgomery almost got to Alexa today, the closest he's been yet, and he's on the brink of realizing his plan. All the other pieces are in place, as far as he's concerned. Alexa McQueen's the only wildcard, and the one who could make or break his whole operation."

"Why're you telling me this, and who says 'pear-shaped'?"

"I'm telling you because you've been in contact with her, and your garage has been defined as a safehouse for her and the cars protecting her. As for who says 'pear-shaped', Leland."