Your son for Mine

chapter 11

Lucas's parents were on their feet, looking at both agents with their jaws set. Chubby had made his way upright. His face was beet red. If the man breathed any harder, Lucas thought he might have a heart attack. He felt like helping him get there.

"First of all, sir, I may not be studying criminal law, but I know for a fact that putting your hands on me and pushing me are both grounds for an assault charge, federal officer or not." The man opened his mouth to speak, but Lucas raised his finger and put it in the man's face, effectively silencing him. Holding the man's gaze, Lucas continued, his voice steady. "Secondly, I am, however, I know about civil rights law. And trying to detain me would be a violation of my rights as an American citizen. I am not a material witness; I am a target, a victim. I have no knowledge of the perpetrator beyond.

what I've just been told by you, nor do I have any information pertaining to the bombing of my car, beyond the fact that my Audi is now scrapped metal. So if you even think about holding me as a material witness I can guarantee a lawsuit so big, that this room will seem like a lovely Hawaiian timeshare compared to the cubicle you will be stuck in. And lastly..." Lucas paused a moment and stood up straight before lifting his chin and jutting out a hip and placing a hand on it. He leaned over the man who seemed to be shrinking in front of him. He let his voice go high as he channeled his inner. Fuck that inner goddess crap from fifty-whatever-it-was.

"Lastly, I have been called every name in the book. Twink, fairy, poof, pansy, sword-swallower, pickle-chugger, shit-stabber, butt boy, and fag. Among others. Sticks and stones, sweetheart, sticks and stones. If you are going to insult me, be fucking original, you bigoted fat cow cunt." For emphasis, Lucas added two snaps up, turned on his heel, and sashayed to the door. "Let's go, darling." He put his hand on Mario's arm and looked up at him with a smirk and batting eyelashes. Mario's face was red, obviously trying to hold back the laughter, his blue eyes were smiling down and Lucas could see the tears threatening to spill over.

"But of course, darling." Mario placed his hand over Lucas's on his arm and led them out of the building.

Mario's head was stretched back against the headrest of the SUV. He couldn't hold back the laughter anymore. He and Lucas had practically run to the car. He wiped the tears from his eyes and looked over at Lucas.

"Oh shit man, that was brilliant! You were amazing in there." Mario smiled down at the man. Lucas was curled up on the seat, part of his face covered up with his hood. "Hey lucasito, you can't tell me you don't realize how perfect that was?"

Lucas pulled the hood away from his eyes and peeked out. His face was bright red. Mario could see the corners of his lips turned up. "I shouldn't have called him fat."

Mario chuckled and shook his head. "You called the man a cow cunt, but you're more embarrassed because you called him fat?"

"Well, it was rude. And unoriginal. And...

And true." Mario cut him off. He reached over and pulled the hood all the way back so he could see Lucas's face. "You dressed him up and down, and he deserved every bit of it."

"But I'm not like that. I know I act like I'm all into appearances and things, but I've never been one to look down on someone because they've got some extra weight on them. It's as bad as making fun of someone 'cause of their ethnicity or they have a big nose. It's part of who they are, not how they act."

"Okay. I hear what you're saying. But that doesn't change the fact that the guy had it coming. He had you all labeled in a box as soon as you walked in there. And as soon as you stepped over his predetermined line, he let his ugliness out. And you took that ugliness and just threw it back at him. You were just a mirror. Only a mirror that was a lot smarter than he was." Mario smiled. "Remind me not to piss you off by the way."

"I was going to say the same thing to you." Lucas sat up a little straighter, though he was still hunched down a bit. Lucas's smile had grown. It was a nervous smile, but it was real. "Damn, what did you do to him?

Well, he pushed you, so I pushed him back. He was out of line. I put him back in it." Mario looked over at Lucas. "That's what I do, Lucs. It's my job."

Mario wasn't sure, but he thought Lucas's smile dimmed a bit. Then Lucas looked up at him, his face suddenly serious. Whatever laughter had been lingering was gone. "So, Abraham Leby."

"Yes, Abraham Leby."

"What do we do now, Mario? I pretty much just told the FBI to fuck off, so what happens now?" Lucas shoved his hands in the front pocket of the hoodie and looked out the window at the street.

"Now, we do what we have to do to keep you safe. They'll catch Abraham. Regardless of what just went down in there. I have a feeling your mother is currently giving the whole Bureau an earful."
 
"But how is this going to work? Where is safe? This guy could be anywhere. He knows where I live, where I shop. He might know about you by now."

"Yeah, I know that." Mario looked at Lucas before reaching into the back seat and grabbing a silver briefcase.

This is my kit. It has all kinds of things that I might need while on the job." Popping the case open, he pulled out a small device. "Here, take this. You probably won't like it, but carry it on you, somewhere that might not be found if something happens and you get searched."

A mischievous grin spread across Lucas's face. Mario's face got warmer. "No, lucs, don't shove it up your ass. Try your shoe."

"What is it?" Lucas asked, inspecting the flat square.

"It's a tracking device. If anything should happen and we get separated, this will let
me know where to find you. Just push that button and it will turn on. Your location will get sent to my phone."

"Where did you get this thing? Do they have like the super spy store here in Chicago?"

Mario rolled his eyes. "lucs, nowadays you can buy a personal tracking device at Best Buy."

Looking in the case, Mario pulled out a cell phone, a credit card, and a set of keys. He left the Glock where it was. "Here, I know it's not as nice as the one you're used to, it's only a burner phone. But just in case. My number is already programmed in. Now, let's go catch a cab."

"Huh? Why do we need a cab?" Lucas's brow was wrinkled in confusion.

"We need a different car. We'd probably know by now if they've seen this one, but I'm not going to take the chance. We'll head to my office and pick up one of the company cars. One that can't be traced back to me. Then we'll find a hotel and hole up for the time being. To be honest, I probably should have taken you to one last night, but I didn't think walking in bleeding, with my jeans shredded in a very non-fashionable way, would be the best of ideas. And I didn't have any first aid supplies in my car. You ready?" Mario raised his eyes from the case and looked over at Lucas. He looked like he'd just run a marathon, completely exhausted, just slumped down. "Hey, you okay?"

Lucas turned his head to look at Mario, still resting it on the headrest. "Yeah, Mario, I'm fine. Thanks. Let's go."
Mario couldn't help thinking that Lucas was lying.

I know it has nothing to do with the story but I really like this song.....