“Fuckers,” Griffin growled.
“Yeah.I don’t know what it is, but every time I read about anyone associated with Levy Construction, my head spins.The dump of information is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.It feels as if the information is purging.If it were a person, they’d be standing up, shouting ‘look at me!’”
“Purging?”Griffin asked.
“Forced out.Like something inside this case is pushing it out, almost desperate for someone to discover it,” Rocko explained.
“Tom’s mutation involves telekinesis, like Asher’s.Do you think there might be someone else being held by them, causing it?”Apollo asked.
“It’s possible, depending on their ability,” Rocko said, considering there might be more survivors having been kidnapped since the first time.He wasn’t sure why it had taken so long to consider that option.If they were after anyone with mutations, it was highly possible.
“What…”
Whatever Griffin was going to say was cut off by the shouting coming from inside the shop.Griffin shot up and out of the office, leaving Rocko and Apollo trailing behind.Shit.
“What the fuck are you doing?”Griffin growled, and Rocko saw one of the men pushing Jonesy away from the open passenger door.
The guy backed away as Griffin shoved his way in between them to protect Jonesy.Jonesy wasn’t a small man, and Griffin coming to his protection seemed odd to most who didn’t know Griffin’s nature.Jonesy looked shocked.
“Stay out of the glove box,” Levy’s man said.
“I was accessing your fuses.They’re behind the glove box in this model.I wasn’t expecting to find a gun,” Jonesy stated.“You’d better have a permit for that.”
“I do,” he huffed.
“Why are you carrying?”Jonesy asked.“It’s not like you’re in a high crime area.”
“Protection.It’s America, I’m within my legal right,” the stranger stated, daring anyone to argue.
Rocko looked inside the car and saw the Glock lying on some paperwork inside the open glove box.He had to de-escalate this, or the whole mission would be screwed.They needed them to lead the team to where Gerald Levy was holed up.
“How about we move the firearm to the trunk so the man can finish fixing your car and get you on your way?You have a meeting, right?”Rocko suggested as he intentionally brushed past the angry man.A simple act raising no suspicions in the other man, but the read Rocko received was telling.
“Are there any more surprises in the areas Jonesy’ll be working we need to be concerned about?”Apollo asked.“Now would be the time to let us know.”
“No, and why is this any of your business?Who the fuck are you guys?”
Rocko almost laughed.Wrong guys to ask.
“Jonesy is our friend, and this is our home, so I’m making it my business,” Griffin growled.“We could as easily give the cops a call to explain how things work around here.”
“Just move it to the trunk, Ed,” the second guy said.
Rocko already knew the guy’s name was Edward Yarker from the moment he read him, and so much more.He was even more positive that something or someone was amplifying anything connected to Levy.
“Fine,” Ed said as he reached for the gun.“Fuckin’ hillbillies can drive around with shotguns hanging in their back window, and it’s no problem.”
They all went on alert until the guy placed the Glock into the trunk and shut the lid.
“Can we figure out what’s wrong so we can get back on the road, please?”the second man asked.
Jonesy placed his hand on Griffin’s shoulder and nodded as the protective man moved out of the way.
“I wanted to check your fuses and spark plugs because your ignition isn’t getting power.Your battery is fine, so once I’m done checking those two other things, I can narrow it down for you,” Jonesy explained.
“Thank you.”The second guy led Ed away to the other side of the garage.
“Thanks,” Jonesy said.“I’ll get back to work and get these guys out of here.You guys sure you have time to wait?”
