Choices & Hasty Decisions (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Four

Sunday morning

The arena was busy. The man in charge of the school gave Jack and Sue his undivided attention. He'd found a message earlier in the morning from an agent Manning and when he called back, he was told to expect the visit of two FBI agents.

Yes, Dylan Thomas was still registered and they expected him sometime today, the man in charge told them. No, Dylan had not contacted any staff member of the school since Thursday. And yes, he would call Agent Hudson as soon as Dylan arrived.

As they walked back to their car with Levi, they saw the cabin of a truck wheeled in behind the arena. The driver and a skinny teenager exited carrying suitcase and hockey bag. Jack pointed in their direction. The relief shown on Sue's face brightened Jack's day.

The trucker and Dylan shook hands after which the teenager headed towards the arena while the driver was going back to his truck.

"You get Dylan, I take the truck driver," said Jack before yelling at the driver to wait.

Dylan also stopped in his track when his aunt called his name.

"Special Agent Jack Hudson, FBI, could you please step back down?" he asked, showing his badge.

The truck driver complied, confused as to why the FBI wanted to talk to him. Jack learned his truck was held at the border for twenty-four hours for a thorough check of his merchandise. Ed stopped at the warehouse first to drop his box, then he drove Dylan here. The boy had his mother's written authorization, affirmed the driver or he would never have taken him. He was only trying to help the boy.

Jack thanked him before explaining they were very worried Dylan was riding with Joe Baxter, the missing trucker. At the name, Ed's eyes widened in dismay.

"Joe was right behind me almost all the way to Detroit," declared Ed. "He wouldn't be caught stopping in the middle--" His expression changed as he seemed to relive something. "Agent Hudson, you said?"

"Jack Hudson, yes."

"Maybe an hour before we reached Detroit, on a deserted road, a little yellow Monte Carlo was by the ditch and a young lady was waving frantically for help. I almost stopped. It was in the wee hours of the morning, it didn't feel right to leave the poor thing by herself, but the boy was asleep and I was already late in my delivery so I radioed Joe, he was maybe ten minutes behind me. He told me not to worry, he would render her assistance. That was the last I heard, and I never thought of checking with him afterwards." The trucker was visibly shaking.

Was it a coincidence or was it an ambush? Jack wondered.

"Are you sure about the make of the car?"

"Yes, and it had Michigan plates. The car had its lights on. But I didn't pay much attention to the numbers. I could also recognize the young woman if I saw a picture of her."

"Would you be able to give a description to a sketch artist?"

Ed raised his brow. Of that, he was doubtful.

"Where can I reach you, Ed?"

"I am on my way to pick up my box with a new load and should be back to Detroit in the evening." He gave Jack his address and number there. He was off for four days and he wouldn't be leaving home.

"I will contact you, Ed."

"If it helps find Joe, call anytime Agent Hudson, day or night."

Jack nodded. "I'll do."

"And if I may ask, what will happen to the boy? He is a good kid, you know."

"He is my partner's nephew, she will deal with him. She has a big heart," said Jack, looking tenderly in their direction, a smile on his lips.