Thunderbird Road.

Chapter 8

Finally, the big day came, and after practicing for months, I walked into the DMV that Friday afternoon to perform my driver's test. Thankfully, it all went well.

That afternoon, my parents got some Kentucky Fried Chicken in my honor, and my friends visited me that evening to congratulate me and play some card games in my room.

But all I could think about the whole time was Zack and the shop.

And I was sure it was the only thing on my father's mind as well. Any man who worked a job suspected of being used for illegal activities would be nervous. If illegal activity was found, how long would that job last? Would there be any fines? Could they be implicated in some way?

But for me, there was something more. Yes, my father's work stability worried me deeply, but I also could feel something darker approaching. I couldn't say what, but I had this constant feeling in my gut.

Friday passed, and Saturday came along. As always, I went to see Zack before lunch, but this time, when I arrived at the museum and main office of the shop, there was someone else with him.

I walked into the room, and Zack lifted his head and greeted me. Near him, standing next to a small bench, a tall black man wearing a pair of gray overalls was closing a small plastic box. As I arrived at the counter, I asked Zack who the man was, and he told me he was an electrician hired by Mr. Vinton to install the new security system for the shop.

"He installed several security cameras, and now he's installing a door chime, which will ring every time someone comes in the door," Zack said.

"Oh, cool! So you won't have to always be here," I said, to which Zack pretended to gasp offended.

"You don't want me here?" He joked.

"That's not what I said, silly!" I laughed, lightly hitting him on the chest. "I mean, we can now go get some food or be at your house instead of always staying here."

"I know, I was just joking," he shrugged, smiling. "It's definitely better for me. I sometimes get bored here, especially when you are not around."

I blushed but looked away and changed the subject so he wouldn't notice.

"So, where are the screens for the security cameras?" I said, looking for them.

"That style is so old news. Now, most feeds go directly to your cell phone. Occasionally, I'm supposed to check it out in case something is missing, or we think someone might be suspicious."

"Any suspects at the moment?" I jokingly asked, but he looked at me with a face that told me things were not to be taken that lightly.

"I also joked at first, but now I have been looking at the visitors' faces more often, and some tend to repeat themselves," he told me, to which I leaned closer to his phone, looking at the feed, slightly fascinated.

"Really?" I asked, thinking maybe my weird gut feeling was related to that. "Maybe someone is using this shop as a supplier."

"Maybe," Zack said. "Maybe not. Some people return because they wanna buy stuff or bring their buddies with them to take pictures."

I pulled away from his phone and placed my arms on the counter, looking at the electrician.

"This whole thing is so weirdly like out of a movie," I told Zack, then turned back to look at him. "Like one of the films you tend to like."

"Yeah," Zack chuckled, a wide grin on his face. "Honestly, I think it's kinda cool we might be connected to an illegal racing ring. The idea of being part of the action kinda excites me."