"So she told you to take her hostage and you just did it?" Jude demanded sceptically after a few minutes.
"Yeah," the young man nodded ruefully, "she was just supposed to give me a prescription pad and she was going to but next thing she saw the patrol car pull up. Guess she panicked."
"You were stealing?" Conrad asked in surprise, he had not expected that.
"We were going away together. She said if I sold some drugs we could make enough to go somewhere nice."
"But why didn't she tell you to just go?"
"She knew what happened with Glen so she figured they were there to question me."
"So? You could have told the Officers what went down," Jude pointed out.
"Unless she was looking for a way to get you out of the picture," Conrad suggested, "is that what you're thinking?"
"Yeah," Wilson sighed heavily, "took me a while to work it out. Pretty dumb huh?"
"You're not the first man to be taken in by a pretty woman," Jude consoled believing the story finally, "so we need to get you to the Cops in the morning."
"We're forgetting something," Conrad rubbed his eyes, "she came here on purpose, to this cabin. Why?"
"I forgot that," Jude shook his head then turned to Wilson in explanation, "when she knocked on the door she said she had a flat. She told me she was on her way home but the road up here doesn't lead anywhere else. Any ideas why she would want to call here specifically?"
"I could take a guess," Wilson looked around the expensive looking room, "money. She probably thinks ye're rich."
"Well we burst that bubble," Conrad put in ruefully, "Jude told her it belongs to a friend of his. She wasn't very impressed."
"So it should be easy enough to get rid of her in the morning," Jude decided in relief before turning to his friend, "Conrad we have a long time to go till morning you get some sleep."
"There's no ....,"
"Do it. I'll need you in the morning. Don't worry John and I will keep the crazed killer from the door."
"What?" Wikson yelped looking around anxiously.
"He's kidding. He likes horror films."
"So go on."
"Okay," Conrad reluctantly agreed knowing if he didn't get some relief his eyes would be worse in the morning.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
By the time seven am rolled around Conrad had managed to get a few hours sleep and was glad his eyes had eased off. Jude informed him upon waking that he would inform their upstairs guest that the fair haired man was still unwell and Jude would take her back to her car. Conrad wasn't too enthusiastic about his friend going off by himself with the obviously manipulative woman so decided on a new plan.
"We'll both take her to her car," Conrad insisted as he took a bite of a cheese sandwich as his breakfast, "we can say you're taking me back to the clinic. She heard Bronson say he wanted to see me again."
"But what about John?"
"He can stay here till we get back," Conrad eyed the fugitive, "it's your choice whether you stay or not but I figure you know the right thing to do."
"I'll wait for ye," Wilson spoke firmly, "the sooner I get this straightened out the better."
"We'll go with you to the Police Station," Jude put in thoughtfully, "but what do we do about Janice?"
"We let her take her chances," the Resident stated with a shoulder shrug, "the Cops will catch up with her at some point."
"So we agree she only came here because she thought one of us was an easy mark for money?" the Surgeon eyed his two companions as he stood up and stretched.
"Sounds like her MO," Wilson agreed, "especially since you said she wasn't impressed when she found out you didn't own this place."
"Okay so we'll head out as quickly as we can," Conrad turned toward the door, "she's up early. Must be making breakfast. Suits us."
"We'll leave the door open slightly," Jude explained to Wilson, "it might look funny if we lock it. Stay in the ensuite until we're gone. We'll be back as soon as possible."
"Listen guys I just want to say thanks for helping me. I know ye didn't have to. I'm mighty glad ye came up here to visit."
"No problem," Jude gestured for the Resident to follow him, "see you later."
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Two hours later the two old friends had sent Janice on her way after the Surgeon fixed the flat tyre on her car. She had seemed anxious enough to leave the cabin after a quick glass of orange juice. Jude had offered to make a proper breakfast, keeping up the role of congenial host, but the woman said she wasn't really hungry and wanted to get to work early. Both men were relieved they would not have to keep up the charade for long. As they watched the woman drive away Jude turned to his companion in the passenger seat with a grin.
"I got to say going on road trips with you are always interesting."
"Hey this had nothing to do with me!"
"Just stating a fact," Jude pointed out as he turned on the ignition and pulled out, "we better go down to the clinic since she might go straight there."
"She's probably going to take off."
"No guarantee of that, especially since she thinks Wilson is long gone."
"You're after changing your mind about him?"
"Yeah. Too unlikely a story to be made up. Still can't believe we wound up in the middle of it though."
"What's this 'we'? It was you she was after," Conrad goaded his friend.
"Not my fault she has good taste," Jude replied unoffended, "I'll be happier though when we get Wilson back with the Cops."
"Why don't we see if we can find Palmer? Get him to come back to the cabin with us."
"Might be an idea," Jude assented as he pulled up outside the clinic beside a familiar car, "told you. She's feeling safe."
"Damn. Didn't really want to see Bronson," Conrad admitted with a grimace.
"Well you have to now so come on let's get it over with."
After being admonished by Bronson for clearly not getting enough rest Conrad made a quick escape after saluting Janice. After a quick stop for gas the pair headed to the Police Station where they quickly brought Palmer up to speed. The Officer seemed unsurprised by the turn of events and when queried said it had been bothering him why Wilson had suddenly turned to a life of crime.
"So are you going to arrest Janice?" Jude checked as they headed out to their respective vehicles.
"First I want to interview Wilson. Ye sure he'll stay in the cabin?"
"He said he would," Conrad replied with a shrug.
"Well I'm going to need Statements from ye as soon as he's in custody."
'How long will that take?" Conrad asked as they parted in the car park.
"A couple of hours at the most. Probably quicker."
"Good coz we're heading back to Atlanta after we give you what you need."
"You mean you don't want to hang around for more rest and recreation?" Jude chided with mock shock as they sat into the car.
"Just drive."
tbc
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Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163
FanfictionConrad Hawkins has to contend with a longstanding eye problem which he tries to hide from his friends and colleagues due to his father drumming it into him as a child that illnesses and injuries are proof of weakness. His friends try to teach hi...
