Street Called Main

Chapter IV: Part II - Inside Job

Ring, Ring-

Snap!

Chris unhinged the SIM card inside of Baxter's phone and placed it on the table; while a call was coming through: from the clinic.

"That oughta' do it." Curt said, "Good as new!"

Curt placed Chris' SIM card inside the phone - which had previously belonged to Baxter.

"Thanks Curt. What do I owe you?"

"Don't worry about it. Now that he's out of the picture: you'll be back to your old self in due time."

Chris ignited the cigarette that Curt had given him, and took a long drag; then - ignited Curt's cigarette, and the two sat on the chairs inside of Curt's apartment.

"Listen: when the cops come looking for his body - you can't be here. You have to go somewhere else, for a while. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah - I think so, Curt."

"Where were you thinking of going?"

"I think I'm going to give Taylor a call."

Curt inhaled another drag of his cigarette, "That serious, huh?"

"More business to take care of, so to speak."

Curt laughed. "Sounds good, Chris. You'll be OK."

"Hey, Curt: when are you going to talk to Joan?" From across the way? She's sweet on you."

Curt ashed his cigarette, "I don't know, Chris. I'm too old for that type of nonsense-"

Chris also ashed his cigarette, "Love is a game, Curt. She's waiting for you to pass 'GO' and collect two-hundred-"

"I'll be fine, Chris. I want you to start your life with Taylor. Begin again. Take those bastards for everything they're worth. Now that Taylor's in your network: you have an inside job on your hands."

Chris ashed the cigarette once more; inhaled and then put it out.

"Thanks for everything, Curt."

"Don't thank me until I drive you to the airport. You're going to need to stay far away from Edmonton for some time. The police will be searching high and low for one of their guys. You know that-"

"Where am I going to go?"

"Los Angeles. You belong there, with Taylor. I know you'll do wonderful things for humanity. You were built for this sort of thing."

Curt put out his cigarette.

"Let's pass GO, forget the two hundred; and call it a day. Remember: don't say anything to anybody. Sound is the fastest travelling derivative. If anybody heard an inkling that Baxter is missing or dead: all hell will break loose."

Chris; stood up and approached the door.

"Think of it this way, Chris: if you didn't kill Baxter, he would have killed you first. That's called asserting yourself. That's Mother Nature for you, I suppose."