Today, they knew they would be handing out everything they had in the vehicle.
“We must have missed the arctic plunge notice,” said Leif. “It’s fucking cold here.”
“It is but we’re the lucky ones,” said Moose nodding toward a man on the corner. He was sitting on top of one of the train grates, surrounded by cardboard. Sebastian pulled the vehicle over and U-Jin stepped out, grabbing a blanket and socks.
“Hey man, you okay?” he asked.
“I’ll make it,” said the man. U-Jin handed him the items and he looked up, staring at U-Jin. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said giving a nod.
“Do you need something? Want something in return?” asked the man. U-Jin frowned, tilting his head. “It’s just most folks want something in return. Come to my church. Let me help you but you have to join my cause. What do you want?”
“Nothing,” said U-Jin. “We’re trying to find a shock jock named Leopold. You seen him?”
“Sure,” smirked the man. “He comes by here a few times a month and always drops off food or money for all of us. He’s a good guy.”
“Do you know where he is today?”
“Nope. Wouldn’t tell you even if I knew. Feds are trying to shut him down because he speaks the truth.” U-Jin nodded, giving the man a wave.
“Did he say anything?” asked Leif.
“Just that Leopold helps out the homeless when he’s in the area. He’s a good guy from what I can tell so far.”
“Let’s find out,” said Mike.
It was hours of following signals, pings coming from this broadcast, chasing down radio waves, or at least that’s what the nerds called them.
“Another empty fucking parking lot,” said Moose. “This is getting old fast.”
“We need gas,” said Leif, “and I’m hungry. There’s a station not far from here that serves hot sandwiches. I’m not picky.”
“I am,” frowned U-Jin. “I don’t eat sandwiches from gas stations.”
“Then you’re missing out,” smirked Mike. “Some of the best food on the planet and it works when you’re in a hurry.”
They turned the SUV toward the massive, mega-station down the road. It was different than most fuel stations in that although it had dozens of gas pumps, big truckers were not allowed. Inside you could find everything from snacks to hot sandwiches, muffins, cakes, pies, and even housewares and knives. It was a strange place with amazing smells.
“Damn,” muttered U-Jin, “now I’m hungry.”
“Told you,” smirked Moose.
It took them thirty minutes to fill up and walk around the store, loading up on snacks, sandwiches, hot coffee in newly purchased thermoses, and bottles of water.
While standing at the coffee station, a customer was speaking to a manager.
“You’re sure it’s okay?” asked the customer.
“I told you, it’s fine. I’m the only one here tonight. Just stay parked behind the building and no one will know.”
“I appreciate it, Will. I just need to get this episode out and I can move on.” The two men shook hands and the customer disappeared out a side door.
“Leif? You ready?” asked Moose.
“Yeah. I think we’re all ready.”
Leopold got his script ready, the highlights of what he wanted to point out on the program today. An FBI deputy director was dead, an agent was dead, and one was missing and no one wanted to talk about it. He knew it was a conspiracy and knew that someone knew the answers.
