Cocoa Tales

Episode 7

Faber was driving along Cypress across the Sacramento River, Floyd in the passenger seat. Jessica was in the back rifling through papers. "So," Faber said, "are we going to investigate any of these places? Or are we just gonna stare at them from the road and talk to ourselves?"

"You can talk to yourself if you want," Jessica replied. "I'll get the job done."

"Weirdo," Jessica muttered. "But the other one's cute."

Floyd smiled and turned to Faber, beaming at him. Faber rolled his eyes. They drove in silence for a moment as Jessica flipped through some sheets.

"There was a 911 report a few days ago," Jessica said, stopping on one sheet. "A man was seen climbing into a Deluxury truck out of uniform."

"The Deluxury lot is near Caterpillar Road," Faber said. "Shall we head up there to stare at it from the road?"

"Please," Jessica said.

"Sarcasm is the savage weapon of the untrained fighter," Jessica whispered.

Floyd turned to Faber and said, "Told you."

Faber shook his head as he quietly turned the car north onto Interstate 5.

Standing outside the Deluxury office, closed for the night, Faber shoved his hands into his pockets. He thought about another snide remark about standing outside yet another building, but he changed his mind. He just said, "I'm gonna take a leak."

Not waiting for a response, he rounded the side of the building and found a shadowy spot to take care of business. He heard Jessica Holiday and Floyd speaking to each other but couldn't make out what they were saying.

"Faber," a voice whispered from the shadows.

"Woah! Hey," he said, turning away from the voice. "Do you mind?"

"What day is it?"

"What!?"

"What day is it, Faber?" the voice asked, irritated at Faber's lack of an answer.

"Who are you!?"

"I'm...you're urinating. Of course. Never mind."

The dark outline turned and walked away from Faber who just zipping up. He followed after the outline saying, "How do you know my name?"

He rounded a corner, but found nobody. Faber turned and looked all around behind him, but saw nothing.

Walking quickly back to the storefront, Faber asked Floyd, "Did you see anybody?"

"No," Floyd replied. "I heard you talking. Who were you talking to?"

"Don't know," Faber said. "Couldn't tell who it was. Where's Holiday?"

Floyd motioned toward the building with his head. "Apparently she hasn't heard of due process."

"Will we get in trouble for this?" Faber asked.

"Gosh I hope not. Placating the FBI is harder than I thought."

"Okay, since we're alone, let's compare notes," Faber said, turning his back to the building and lowering his voice. "She's not here for the bomber, she's here for someone called 'The Sandman' or something. She thought this Sandman guy was the bomber, but now she doesn't think so."

"But she's still after the Sandman," Floyd added, "so clearly he's more important than the bomber."

Faber nodded. "Get the impression she's flying under the radar here?"