Shopping Scene
“Can’t we just go back to the scoreboard?” Charley’s voice edged on panic. She willfully brought it under control. She wasn’t falling apart in the store, she wasn’t.
“We gotta get the groceries,” Sparks said. “This is the only time we’ve got for it.”
“You know he’s right.” Throttle patted her back as Charley leaned over the grocery cart with a groan. “Besides, it gives us a chance to discuss possibilities.”
“Those guys discussing the money in front of me at the concession stand sounded suspicious.” Modo set two vegetable cans into the cart.
Sparks fished them back out. “Wrong size, Dad. We’re going to need frozen for enough to cook with.”
“That’s what your reciepe said.”
“For four servings. You eat four servings in one helping.”
“What’s with all this servings stuff?” Modo tugged on his breastplate.
“Charley and me started nutrition class last month.” Sparks took Modo’s hand and led him toward the freezer section of the store. “And I think it’s that Mitch guy.” He said over his shoulder. “He didn’t have anything good to say about Charley’s dad.”
“True,” Throttle mused out loud. “But Mitch was qualifiying with me and Kormick was in the grandstand with the timers.”
Charley straightened and pushed the cart into the cleaning products aisle. “This isn’t one of Limburger’s pathetic schemes.” She grabbed dishwashing soap and threw it in the basket of the cart.
“So you don’t have any faith that we can solve it?”
She sighed. “It’s not that easy. It’s….” A beeping noise started and Throttle was oblivious to it concentrating on her. “Your vest is beeping.”
“I hate thins thing,” Throttle growled. “It’s like a leash.” He pulled the cell phone out of his pocket. His face grew distressed as he realized he couldn’t fit it inside his helmet.
Charley held out her hand and he dropped it into it relieved. “Hello?”
“Ms. Davidson. Is Throttle there?” Detective Jefferson sounded uneasy. Nobody wanted to deal with the fragile Charley.
She could handle this. She wouldn’t fall apart. “He can’t take his helmet off. What do you need?”
“We finished processing the garage. I’m afraid forensics had to take most of your bedroom furniture for analysis. We packed your clothes in your living room.”
Charley knew the horror stories of cops and searches and wondered what shape her clothes were in. “Thank you.”
“I just need a list of anything missing. So we can determine if burglary took place.”
“Do you really think burglary is why he broke in? Everything I have that’s worth anything is the garage equipment and it wasn’t touched.”
“He may have taken trophies.” Detective Jefferson took a deep breath. “Just get a list to us as soon as you can. I’m still looking into the attack on your friend. Good-bye.”
“Bye.” Charley handed the cell phone back to Throttle. “They finished with the garage and still working on Vinnie’s attack.”
“Sorry, it’s hard to ID the guy chocking the life out of you from behind.” Vinnie dropped the paper bag that the store provided to keep frozen food cold longer into the cart. It bounced off the floor.
Charley steadied the cart. “Nobody’s blaming you. I’m just glad you’re okay. What did you get?” She rooted in the bag? “Three five-gallon buckets of ice cream?”
Vinnie slapped his head. “I didn’t get you, Sparks, or Tala any. Your favorite is the green, right?” He jogged back to the freezers.
“Mint chocolate chip,” Charley yelled after him. “What are we supposed to be getting?”
Throttle returned from wherever his mind had wandered. “Hmm, dinner rolls, I think.”
She steered the cart to the bread section of the store. “What are you thinking about?”
“Putting Sparks and Modo to finding names to Modo’s picks. Sparks could do the hyperactive kid thing before the race. Vinnie and Tala want to explore the tunnels more.”
“You expect to do all that on Race day? Those mechanics will think they’re trying to steal secrets.”
“What I really expect is the murderer to do something stupid and expose himself, but it’s always a good idea to have contingency plans.”
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