He watched the car hug a turn. It looked as though the driver had yet to hit the brakes. Rocco rubbed his hands, feeling that itch just beneath his skin.
“Did they tell you who the second driver would be?”
Dario shook his head. “Every F1 driver is set. They’ve all signed contracts with other teams. So, I’m assuming it’ll be an F2 driver.”
“You’re sure no one else from F1 was cut loose?”
“I suppose it’s possible.” Dario paused. “But it’s more likely going to be an F2 driver being promoted to F1. And as for that driver there”—he nodded toward the car that flew past them—“the guy behind the wheel could be the second driver, or he could be a #3—someone to help test the car.”
No way is that a #3.
Rocco watched the car make another lap.
He drives like a Formula 1 driver.
Just then the throttle roared even louder.
He’s really going for it.
Rocco sniffed as the smell of exhaust and dust kicked up by the spinning tires met his nostrils and the car swept past them. It looked like it was going to skid off the track and hit the embankment before the turn, but the driver made a swift and calculated correction.
He didn’t even tap the brakes.
Who the hell is in there?
Whoever it was, there was no way that was a #3. That must be the second driver. And then he had a scary thought. They weren’t bringing him on thinking he was #2, were they? If whoever was in that car had already signed up, then they’d gone to him first.
“Not a bad idea to have a third driver,” said Dario. “Not only to run tests, but what if one of the drivers gets injured?”
“Maybe a driver getting injured is more likely to happen if there’s a third driver.”
“Why? Because he would make it happen?”
“Exactly.”
“Man, you really don’t trust anyone. Well, outside your family, my family, and me, of course.” Dario paused. “You don’t even trust yourself.”
He’d muttered that last part. Rocco figured he hadn’t meant him to hear it.
“What was that?” he asked.
“I just said you only trust a small circle of people.” Dario turned to him. “You do trust me, don’t you?”
This made Rocco smile. “You know I do. I trust you with my life.”
Dario made a mock gesture, staggering back and clutching his heart. “That’s a relief.”
“Except when it comes to my supply of GoGo squeeZ. I know I didn’t finish that last case on my own.”
Dario sighed. “I think we’re going to have to write something about that damn GoGo squeeZ into your contract.”
They had a good laugh and then were silent watching the car speed past them again.
“Celeste is right,” Dario said. “You have trust issues.”
Celeste was Dario’s girlfriend.
“For good reason.”
