The Aftermath

36

Tom got out of the cab and walked to the trolley ramp. The trolley ran every fifteen minutes, so he wouldn't have long to wait.

"This is the last trolley run." Kemp said through the ear piece Tom was wearing.

"Yeah, alright." Tom agreed.

"Take it all the way to El Cajon and I'll pick you up there." Kemp told him.

"Why can't you just pick me up now?" Tom asked.

"We have a plan, we'll stick to it." Kemp said patiently.

When Tom arrived at the El Cajon station, it was almost four o'clock. This was his fourth trolley trip of the day, along with three taxi rides.

Tom spotted Kemp's black Hummer and walked over to it, getting into the passenger side. "What's this thing get, six blocks to the gallon?"

Kemp grunted, "It's all for show. If I picked up clients in a little hybrid SUV like you drive, I wouldn't get many referrals or return business."

"So where to now?" Tom asked looking out the side window.

"I have a room ready for you at Sycuan Casino. We moved all of your clothing and things over there this afternoon, and put the room on my company card." Kemp dug in his pocket and pulled out a key ring, "Here, this is the key for the car I rented for you."

Tom took the key and stared at it for a while, "So I'm off the grid and have no tails."

"Right." Kemp agreed.

"You are sure." Tom pressed.

"Bet your life on it." Kemp smiled.

"I'm betting my family's life on it Kemp." Tom told him.

Kemp glanced over at Tom, meeting his eyes for a moment, "Doc, I'm good at what I do. You are clean. On top of that, two of my best men are going with you, and staying with you until you leave for the airport Monday. You're safe doc."

Tom nodded and leaned back in the wide comfortable leather seat. "Good." He sighed, "I'm not good at this Kemp."

Kemp glanced at him again, "When it is your own family, no one is good at this doc."

Tom supposed that was true. He felt hamstrung last night. Unable to move forward, unable to stay where he was. "So the plan is to meet with Charlie tomorrow to sign papers, and then wait at Sycuan until Saturday."

Kemp nodded, "Saturday we will drive to Julian and stay there until Monday morning." He glanced over at Tom, "I bought your tickets already, so you can get out of the country with no trail to follow."

"First class?" Tom asked with a smile.

"Business class." Kemp said with a grunt,"Do you know what they charge for first class these days? It's robbery."

"Paris?" Tom asked.

Kemp nodded, "Davidson will meet you at the airport with a car. Marks and Gray will cover your back trail just to make sure you are clean when you arrive. There is a flat in Paris that will be yours to use for three months."

Tom raised an eyebrow, "Well done Kemp."

"No worries doc." Kemp smiled.

"I'm just like all the rest now." Tom sighed.

"Who?"

Tom told him about the conversation with Teri, and what she told them about other men and women who were innocent in court, but guilty in the media. "They all had to run, one way or another. Nothing was the same after. Just the accusation is enough to ruin you."

"You're not ruined doc, just hit hard. You know what they say, 'When life knocks you down, get back up and politely say--"

"You Hit Like a Girl." They both said together. Tom laughed.