Here's chapter 5, but spoiler alert warning for Cars 3. However, if you've already seen it go right ahead and read. Enjoy!


The head of the racing board rolled in front of the racing office. Cameras flashed and reporters shouted questions but the old car cleared his throat and everyone fell silent.

"It is my solemn duty to announce," the car started. "That last night, approximately 9 pm, two of the nation's most loved race cars disappeared from the track. Strip the King Weathers and Lightning McQueen were last seen by the trailers, but failed to appear at the after-race party. A thorough search party was conducted but racers 95 and 43 were not found. We would urge anyone who has seen these race cars to immediately contact the local authorities."

The reporters all shouted questions at once and a few words that sounded like 'captured' or 'carnapped' made their way through.

"It is unclear whether any foul play was involved," the head of the board stated. "We would just like everyone to know that the safety of our racers is of utmost importance, and that any and all of our available resources will be utilized to the best of their abilities."

Leaving the media to explode and go ballistic in a frenzy of questions, the old car turned and went back into the building. The screen switched back to the television hosts in the studio who immediately started analyzing the head of the board's words.

"Huh," said one of the Ford Raptors, turning back to his drink. The security cars didn't seem the least bit worried.

"This is good, right?" Lightning whispered. "I mean, now people can now and they can start looking for us."

"No, son," Strip said grimly. "The fact that they just announced it means they don't have the slightest clue of where we are."


Earlier that day

Sally, overjoyed and relieved at her success at convincing the racing board, hurriedly drove to Dinoco's head office. Or one of their offices, she wasn't quite sure where their main one was. Being back in the big city felt a little bit overwhelming to the Porsche. She was a good lawyer who could easily move with the flow of a crowded city, and having the opportunity to go up against the racing board and winning filled her with a sense of accomplishment that came from a big case. However, the victory was made bitter at the knowledge that this was her boyfriend she was trying to save. Stickers, her flashy, overconfident race car. He was in danger and she needed to get him back safely.

And besides, she thought to herself as she rolled into the huge glass doors in the Dinoco office. I'll always stay in Radiator Springs. Big exciting city life or not, she had fallen in love with the small town as soon as she had seen the view from the Wheel Well, and she was going to stay there forever.

Once inside the friendly receptionist showed her towards the elevator and traveled up with her to where Marshall was in the security room.

"Just you say if you need anything, dear," she chatted. "Mr. Dinoco says you're the sweet heart of that poor race car that went missing. So, if you need something warm to drink, you just let me know."

"Thank you," Sally said, appreciatively. "Do you know where Mr. Dinoco is now?"

"Oh, he's on the top floor with the Fabulous Hudson Hornet," the receptionist said. "That's where his office is."

"Thank you," Sally nodded. "I might have to ask Doc a few things."

"Oh of course, dear," the receptionist assured. "Just ask Marshall and he'll be happy to have someone show you."

Sally thanked the bubbly small car and entered the security room. Marshall was already there looking up at several huge monitors. The room was a bit dim and the glare from the screens made Sally feel like she was in some sort of sci-fi movie, the ones Mater occasionally made her and Stickers watch.

"Miss Sally," Marshall said, turning towards her.

"Marshall," Sally greeted. "Everything come through ok?"

"Absolutely," the official turned back towards the main monitor. "I've already sorted the records out for us. I find the most effective way to sort through various types of data is, in this case, to divide it up by types of employees. That way we know who had access to what area of the track."

"Right, right," Sally nodded. "That's good."

"Security," Marshall nodded to the screen right in front of him. "Has access to just about everything. I thought I'd start with that and you can choose whatever else you think we need to access."

"Right," Sally nodded, not realizing she had repeated herself. She glanced at the screens carefully. Security guards definitely seemed the best option for foul play but there were also race officials, cars who helped seat guests, cleaners...

"Hm..." Sally went to race officials first and started what would turn out to be a long afternoon.

Seeing as it was lunch time (and it was around this time that Mater met McMissile), a small forklift whizzed in to bring them something to eat. There were less officials that security guards and Sally was through her list quicker than Marshall. All the officials seemed to be of respectable character, and most had been around the series for a while. As a lawyer, Sally had become accustomed to mark and characterize certain cars. None of the officials really 'stuck out' to her.

She took a break and watched as Marshall worked. After the while the car shook his head. He had checked all of the Raptors first but they had all checked through with clean criminal records. Most of them even had excellent references. He had sent some of his team to check on those Raptors who did not have references and they had all reported in for work the next day. Although the race was finished, some teams still had to pack up their gear so security would be on the track along with some officials to show around any curious tourists. After the Raptors, Marshall had checked all of the other security guards as well. He had never been so annoyed at clean records in all his life.

"Few minor violations," he told Sally. "But nothing concrete."

Sally sighed, feeling a small headache coming on.

"Is there a possibility that the cars who took them didn't work for the track?" She asked.

"That's a possibility..." Marshall admitted. "But that means we'd have to look at all of the other racers and their teams."

Sally knew that could be a nightmare, even if the other racers cooperated.

Marshall continued.

"Although that could give us a guide as to how the two cars were transported out... But I doubt any racer on the track would play dirty like this."

Sally's brow furrowed.

"What if someone who isn't connected with the track at all is responsible for this?"

"You're suggesting someone snuck onto the track?" Marshall asked.

"Well, yeah," Sally said.

"Hate to say so, Miss," Marshall shook his head. "But all employees need an official pass. It's a new security system, top of the notch."

"Could one have been stolen?" Sally asked.

"All passes are kept on the premises," Marshall explained. "Only employees have access to them."

The headache was getting bigger.

"We need to try a different angle," Sally sighed.

Marshall nodded and stretched his tires.

"I'm going for a drive," he said. "Be back soon."

He headed out the door and Sally, not in the mood for a drive, stayed where she was.

"What am I missing?" She asked.


While Sally and Marshall were trying to figure out how the racers had been abducted, Tex and Doc were trying to figure out the why. Doc and Sheriff had gone with the CEO to his big office on the top floor. It was more homey than Doc had thought, and had a cozy feel to it. Tex poured the two cars some of the finest oil Doc had ever tasted and told the Hudson Hornet to help himself even as Sheriff declined the offer. Doc had been tempted to go back to the hotel room he had booked the previous night, but found himself hesitant to leave. The room would be cold and empty, what with the others driving through the city and Mack probably talking with the other trucks. Here at least he had some quiet company and would be the first to know if any sign of the rookie was found.

Doc rolled to the big window and glanced over the city as he drank. Tex occasionally talked to someone at his desk or made a call, but otherwise he was quiet which left Doc to his thoughts. The bright city faded into the background as Doc began to think. Marshall's words rang in his head, You two might have to start thinking if you have any enemies that are using your racers to get to you. At first, Doc had tried to convince himself that such a scenario was ridiculous, but as the day grew on and Sheriff talked with local law enforcement agencies (he wasn't allowed to see the contracts but Tex let Sheriff coordinate with the law enforcement before any word was passed to Marshall in order to not overwhelm his security head), Doc began to think.

If Lightning had been taken for revenge, it would be against him. Rusty and Dusty didn't have any enemies... Or at least, no one with a big enough grudge to carnap their racer. Neither did Mater, Sheriff, or any of Lightning's pit crew, or Sally. That left Doc.

He hadn't really made any enemies after medical school... But he might have on the track. He had been a fierce competitor, unwilling to take second place when he knew he could come in first. He had never cheated or played dirty- he was far too proud for that, but his competitive nature had definitely rubbed some cars the wrong way. But enemies? Doc wasn't certain. But as the memories flooded back he suddenly realized that he didn't really know.

After being rejected from the world of racing he had been so hurt and humiliated that he had left Thomasville without a second thought. Everything that reminded him about his previous life had been there. Smokey, his loyal and steady crew chief. Louise, the feisty female racer who hadn't let anything stop her from racing. River Scott, although they sometimes called him Scott or Scotty, the dirt track racer who was the only one who could rival Doc's drifting. And hot-header Junior Moon, who didn't let anyone tell him what to do except maybe his crew chief.

He had been so selfish. His grief had blinded him and made him leave them all, knowing they would worry about him. He was sure they knew he had gotten into medical school because some old school reporter had written a small article about it.

It was the entry of McQueen that had caused him to reach out to Smokey again. Smokey and Doc had been rather close friends, Smokey acting as a cool head for the young Hudson when his temper got the best of him. And Smokey had written back, informing Doc only that all his friends were alive. He didn't even scold Doc for not writing earlier. Just a 'nice to hear from you.' Although the old truck was usually straight to the point, he would sometimes leave Doc to sweat so that he could learn his lesson... And it usually worked.

Doc sighed as he was shaken out of his thoughts and saw the sun setting. Smokey. He needed to talk to Smokey. He was starting to feel lost without his racer to look out for and mentor so it would be good to see his crew chief again. Besides, Smokey would know if he had any enemies. Smokey always knew.

"Hey Doc," the Sheriff murmured behind Doc, and the Hudson Hornet turned to look at his friend.

"You might want to see this," the car nodded towards the television on the wall. Tex had turned it on earlier during the day but kept it on mute. Now he turned on the volume as Doc and Sheriff rolled up. The Hudson Hornet's mouth formed a grim line as he watched the heard of the racing board announce to the world that Strip Weathers and Lightning McQueen was missing.

"Maybe they'll turn up in a small town somewhere," Tex commented lightly as the news commentators started talking about the race cars who went missing, showing clips from previous races, wins and crashes.

"Maybe," Sheriff said, nodding to himself. "Well, I think we can safely say that this is probably no longer a carnapping."

"No, I don't think so," Doc agreed. "Which means we have to find out who wants our racers."

"Any idea on how to go about that?" Tex asked.

"One," Doc stated. "I need to take a trip."


By the time Marshall came back Sally had already seen the announcement on one of the smaller television screens. The news was going viral quickly and everyone either had an opinion or were sending their best wishes. She had to stay focused. Stickers needed her. Sally glanced frustrated at the hundreds of names on the screens. What was she missing?

Marshall came and beside her.

"You see the announcement?" Sally asked.

"In the break room," Marshall replied. "It means they're just about as clueless as we are."

"We have to keep looking," Sally said determinedly, pushing a button with her tire to go looking through a list of seaters.

"Miss Sally, I know you're worried," Marshall tried to assure her, tired after a long day of work after a sleepless night. "But we won't be quitting if we rest for the night."

"Quitting..." Sally said quietly. "Quitting!" She rounded quickly on the car, her tires making skid marks on the polished floor. Her mind was racing and she talked fast as she tried to keep up with her thoughts.

"If you were a criminal... or someone involved in kidnapping two high-profile racers, what is the first thing you would do after the job was finished?"

Marshall was a little stunned by her outburst, but grasped the concept and said slowly,

"I would probably lie low for a while... Or..." he headed towards his screen, eyes flicking back and forth before closing. "No. I wouldn't. Not in this town. It's full of racing fans who'd do anything to get their racers back. The racing board has an office here so they'd be breathing hard down my neck," his brown eyes shot open. "I would leave," he finished quietly.

"Exactly!" Sally exclaimed, scrolling down the list. "We just have to see if there's anyone who quit their job!"

Marshall immediately went to the security guard's list. "Everyone who was due to show up, showed up today," he reported. An email alert popped up at the bottom of his screen and he went to it. His eyes widened. "Three Raptors reported their badges missing."

"Someone on the inside," Sally breathed.

"Exactly," Marshall replied. "Go to the cleaners. All of them were scheduled for today."

"On it," Sally and quickly went to settings.

"Let's just hope," Marshall said quietly. "That someone actually quit instead of just skipping their shift."

"That would make things so much easier," Sally agreed and ordered the list she had to update itself so that they could see if any new information had come in through the system.

The two cars waited as the system slowly updated itself and put into place the new filters Sally had asked for. Both of them help their breath as the results filtered in.

"Ok," Sally rolled forward eagerly to read the names on the screen. "Two cars didn't show up for duty today..."

"... And one quit for 'personal reasons'," Marshall finished reading. The two cars looked at each other and grinned.

Marshall spoke first.

"Looks like we got ourselves a suspect."