Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
______________________________________
"Shooting at a cop, huh?" John B says
"There we go, all right." JJ scoffs, "I fired a flare over their head, yeah, to slow them down, which is exactly what it did."
"You realize we're all in danger now?" John B says, "All of us. All of us are screwed."
"Can this wait? We're trying to figure out how to get out of here." Kie says
"I didn't ask any of you guys to come help me, all right?" JJ says. Estrella looks up from her place beside Sarah, "I didn't want any of you to come follow me!"
"Follow you?" John B says
"Yeah, follow me!"
"You think we had any other choice, JJ?" John B exclaims, "What about Pope, huh? He just threw away his whole life for you."
"Pope, I don't know why you did what you did, man, okay? I didn't ask you to do that." He says, "I didn't ask you to involve yourself, John B. But, no, it's always my fault. Always."
"Yeah, it is your fault. It is your fault. Just like the Enduro was your fault, JJ."
"Okay then, go!" He yells, "All right, I'll take the hit. I'll gladly do it too, all right? Because my life is already over in the first place."
Estrella looks up as a siren chirps. Shoupe approaches on his boat, "Hey!"
"And there's Shoupe." John B says as his hands fall to the sides of his legs
"What did I say?" Kie says
"Shit." Cleo sighs
"You guys finally did it. Beached yourselves." Shoupe says hopping off his boat, "JJ, I got you. You've been racking up the charges."
"I know. I-"
"And guess what? I've got a warrant this time." Shoupe says before looking over at Pope, "And you, ditching your tracking device? No bueno. I thought you were the smart one. You've dug this hole about as deep as it can get, so just put down the shovels, and come with me."
"No, you want him for murder. He didn't murder anyone." Estrella argues
"Look, I got a good idea of what he did and didn't do, okay? We just gotta let the courts sort it out." He says, "All I know is that I got a warrant for both of 'em. And I'm tired of this goose chase, so it ends here. Y'all come with me now."
"Hey!"
The group looks over as Rafe approaches. Estrella frowns, "What the fuck?"
"I'm just here to save everyone's asses, okay?" Rafe says, "Shoupe, I gotta talk to you. You're missing a part of this picture."
"Hey. Hey, stay back! Stay back!" Shoupe says placing his hand on his gun
Rafe raises his hands quickly, "Jesus Christ! What are you gonna do, shoot me? Huh? You're looking for Chandler Groff, yeah?"
"Maybe."
"Groff was scamming with Hollis this entire time, all right? If you ask me, it was probably Groff that killed her, not..." He pauses before pointing over toward JJ, "him. Did you already think that? Yeah, Groff probably killed Genrette too. And that body... the body in the dunes? You got that on Groff? Listen, you can bring these lowlifes in for some vandalism, disturbing the peace bullshit, or you can get the big fish. These guys know where Groff is."
Shoupe turns to them, "Yeah? Where is he?"
"Out of your jurisdiction, Shoupe." John B says
"Way out." Kie says
"Try out the country." Pope says
"We were on our way to get him, and then you showed up." John B says
"In that?" Shoupe says pointing to damaged boat
"No. That." Rafe says pointing to his own boat, "They know where he is, and I can get them there, all right, but they can't do shit if they're all locked up."
"And just let 'em go? No, thanks." Shoupe says, "I tell you what, here's what we're gonna do. You come with me, tell us where Groff is, and I guarantee it, we'll go easy on you. Hell, your charges may disappear. Quid pro quo, you ever heard of that?"
"Just like you did when I was framed for a murder I didn't commit?" John B asks
Shoupe goes quiet and Rafe steps closer, "Think about it. Hollis, dead. Genrette, dead. Downtown's trashed. You're on the chopping block. Okay? I hear what people are saying about you, all right? You're gonna lose your job. It's game over, man. Unless you bring the killer to justice all by your lonesome. So, what's it gonna be? I mean, some bullshit charges on these low-rent Pogues who didn't do shit?"
Cleo tilts her head, "He's got a point."
"Or you solve the crime of the century. And you save your job."
"You know, you're sounding a lot like your old man." Shoupe says, "And that's not a compliment."
"Oh." Rafe scoffs
"Now I'm getting cornered by another friggin' Cameron here?"
"Okay, then, added bonus." Rafe nods stepping closer, "When we get back, and you got Groff locked up, I'll tell you what happened last summer on the runway. When you found me out there on the tarmac? The real deal, right? I know you wanna know."
"You wanna know what I want to know? I wanna know about another little runway incident from a while back. How about that?"
"All I'm saying is that all this would look really good for an elected official in the hot seat. You know? Get it all wrapped up in one package."
"How about this?" John B says, "We find Groff... call you. He's all yours."
Shoupe shakes his head as the sirens get louder in the distance, "I eat shit either way. All right. Yeah, you're welcome. Go on, before the cavalry gets here. Get out of here."
As the group follows Rafe, Shoupe calls out, "I'm glad to have you out of my hair anyway. You better find his ass, or I will hunt you down."
•••
A little while later, as their passing Poguelandia, they all look out solemnly. Each of them longing to feel the happiness they'd created. Knowing that once they came back, if they even did, none of it would be the same.
Kie sighs, "Goodbye, island paradise."
Charlotte looks over at her with a sad smile. Kie's hand intertwines with hers. Estrella eyes drift over to the water. Her hand comes up and toys with the ring on her necklace.
