Debutant. Chapter 2. Like an alligator on the moon. Part 3

This novel is fictional; there is no need to look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of “Debutant” by Nikita Savelyev, the first readers of which were readers of F1News.ru…

Debutant. Chapter 2. Like an alligator on the moon. Part three

-Where are you staring? – the interlocutor became nervous. – Sausages later – business first.

What must we do? What must we do?! What if it’s just a mistake?! The dog just stood there! In this place! What, did you accidentally fall somewhere? Or not?!

– Good? – it seems that the smiling one started to worry.

There’s no time to think. It’s like in a race, where you come into a deadly corner at about three hundred and there are rivals on the right and left.

Henry grabbed the car keys and his hand trembled treacherously.

“I’m a little worried,” Henry admitted guiltily. – You understand.

“Yes,” the man with a satisfied face hid the keys in his pocket. “Sometimes your insides tremble, but you don’t drift.” Went?

– Where? – Henry was surprised. “Manuel said clearly: give me the keys and tell me where the car is.” I follow the instructions.

The smiling man’s gaze wavered, clearly afraid of getting into trouble.

So it’s not a mistake. This is where Henry steps in!

“Really,” the man slapped his forehead, smiling. – Then explain quickly.

– In the parking lot for spectators it is not difficult to find, in the sixth row there is a conspicuous fire extinguisher nearby…

Henry mentioned and mentioned several details he had just thought of. Look for the wind in the field, and he will have time to escape.
The man asked a few more times and grinned happily:

– Well, I’m out. And you, kindly wait. Keith will take care of you.

He looked out of the tent and called someone. Suddenly it got busy and Keith, a guy with broad shoulders and a build that resembled a self-propelled wardrobe, tumbled in.

“So the instructions…” Henry tried to save himself.

“First I look for a car and then drive off in all four directions,” the conversation partner wiped the smile from his face. – Don’t get bored!

And he fell out. Henry sank doomedly into a chair, and the taciturn Keith stood near the exit, chewing gum continuously. The sausage maker melancholy took orders, collected delicacies with practiced movements and handed out the change as if on a conveyor belt.

The nameless smiling one will need a lot of time before he is convinced that no fire extinguisher has the car he is looking for. But if he comes back disappointed, I don’t even want to think about what then. Who is this? The police or Manuel’s competitors in the difficult market of exotic plants? Most likely the second. The law enforcement officers would have already shone a lamp in their faces and pounded their fists on the table – they would not flinch in search of a car, it would be easier for them to immediately shake the soul out. What is the difference? Situation. In any case, howl like a wolf at the moon, or, taking into account local realities, like an alligator. But it won’t help.

Try asking to go to the toilet? What if he doesn’t let go or drags along? Hit in the head with a chair? You still have to find out what a big guy he is. Think think! I had never been in trouble like this before.

Henry looked at the salesman, his expression filled with condemnation. He did whatever was necessary even though he was apparently pushed against the wall. Someone close to Manuel gave the competitors the coordinates for the package’s delivery. You can get rich by selling the contents of your suitcase. Only the unknown enemy never heard of the additional precautions. And the seller remained loyal to Manuel. He must have seized the moment and casually removed the dog from the counter, hoping the messenger would be attentive and not fall into the trap. And because of the absent-minded idiot Henry, everything collapsed.

Well, there are only two opponents, if there were others, they would have already come running. So? The clock is ticking inexorably. Nothing sensible comes to mind. Out of desperation, Henry is willing to attack Keith no matter what. At least some chance of salvation. Just choose the right moment.

You cannot constantly look at the guard, otherwise he will become suspicious. The seller methodically poured a bottle of cloudy liquid onto the sizzling griddle, probably oil. Doesn’t he pour too much?

At that moment, the brazier suddenly flared up – a bright flame rushed up. The sausage maker darted around stupidly and tried to put out the fire with something, but it turned out even worse.

– Staff!

Keith rushed over and trampled next to him:

-Where’s your water?

The salesman shoved the bottle into his hand so clumsily that he pushed Keith onto the baking sheet. The sleeve of the man’s shirt immediately burst into yellow flames. Panic flared up with all its might. Keith screamed heartbreakingly as he tried to take off his clothes, customers were shouting excitedly from the other side of the counter, the salesman was running around frantically trying to put out the fire with some rags. Real chaos!

Henry didn’t need to be asked twice; like a nimble hummingbird he fluttered quickly out of the tent, and off he ran as fast as he could. Thank you, kind seller. You don’t have to make money from dubious fraud, but serve in the intelligence service. They will tear you apart with your hands.

After covering a considerable distance, Henry resumed his normal, albeit rapid, gait. Will Manuel’s competitors be looking for him if they are? It’s unlikely: there are only two of them, there are tens of thousands of people at the track, and they are unlikely to be on good terms with the police. As for the seller who has lost such a talent, he will undoubtedly find a way to escape. Let’s hope there’s no danger on the other side. Shall we open the champagne? Or…

After a brief euphoria after a successful escape, the mood plunged again to decadent levels. Breaking out, then breaking out, but what now? My first thought is to go back to Miami, tell Manuel everything honestly, throw myself on his chest and ask for forgiveness. Henry saved the car and its cargo, maybe they will treat his failure leniently? And if not? As if the hug wasn’t too tight. And what does saved load mean? Thinking of the words of the attendant, the car will definitely be towed away by a tractor in the evening. And it is not known where, and without having the keys with you, you cannot even show the rights to them. What if the police decide for formal reasons to inspect an ownerless vehicle? What is this interesting thing in our gas tank? Wow, you little suitcase! It turns out that getting caught by Manuel is fatal. He will not forgive such a mistake. Too much of the jackpot was lost due to Henry’s fault.

He shuddered at the memory of Osvaldo’s face. We urgently need to run and hide. In the pocket of a light jacket there are the necessary documents, and in addition several thousand dollars have been received as an advance for the trip. The ancient nomadic habit of carrying everything with them did not fail. Hide in a crevice, hoping that Manuel, because of his busyness, will eventually forget about Henry, otherwise the police will finally not make a mistake. No wonder his fellow countrymen pay taxes?

But how do you get out of here, without even having a car, along the only busy road? Looking for a travel companion who will tempt you with money? What if you happen to meet someone who shouldn’t?

The idea that popped into my head without a twinge of conscience seemed brilliant. One of Manuel’s accomplices said it was darkest under the flame of a candle, and boasted that they rented an apartment directly across from the police station and once stored their ill-gotten gains there.

If only they didn’t find a mechanic in this day and age! If only… Henry muttered to himself as he quickened his pace.

“They haven’t found anyone yet,” Edward complained. “Georges runs in circles – you need to train.” We decided: we’ll think of something later. What happened, Hendrik? Yes, you have no face.

“Imagine my partner has a stupid accident right on the way to the race track,” Henry colorfully described a hastily prepared legend. – The car is broken, there is no question of participation in the race…

Edward groaned sympathetically, Sandra acted more reserved, but it seemed that they believed. At that moment they shook hands. Henry starts working as a mechanic. Edward promised to pay twenty dollars a day, plus food. The car model may not be familiar, but Henry is no stranger to it. After all, it has exactly four wheels and one engine. Let’s find out.

Henry refused to stay at the hotel and wisely decided to save money and at the same time not appear outside the circuit. According to calculations, the worried Manuel will certainly send his six here just in time for the start day. They will achieve nothing – there will be wild pandemonium. And after the race, Henry will ask his new employers to take him off the track and jump off at an intersection somewhere. Why no plan? At least he buys time. Who would think he’s still there and not running away as fast as he can?

== To be continued…