Internal Affairs Ch. 09

"Not an open contract, but the cartels use terror to keep people in line. They will always be looking. One day if he lets his cover slip, they will make an example of him."

"Yeah, I kind of feel the same way. At least getting him away from Capitol City will get him away from the 'friends of friends' revenge," Lois said.

"I agree, it will at least buy him some time," Devin said.

"So do you need anything," Bruno asked Roger.

"Just to find out who I'm going to be," Roger replied.

"I can't help you there. How about dinner what should I order?" Bruno asked.

"I don't care," Roger said. He took the laptop Bruno supplied to his tiny bed. He leaned against the wall and tried to check his messages. He had been blocked out. He didn't even try a second time. Instead he read the news on the Capitol City Record's website. While he checked on the outside world, Bruno's shift ended. A tall man with red hair brought the take out with him.

It was almost midnight when Roger became bored with the internet and went to bed. He knew that he was being monitored, so he slept comfortably in what he hoped was a secure environment.

"Time to wake up and great the new day," a very blond older woman said. "I'm Jan Brewer with the US Marshall Service. I'm going to be helping you move on. I'm going to start by moving you to a more comfortable place."

"Okay," Roger said. He decided on the spot that Jan was competent. Snap judgments are usually wrong, so he planned to continue being careful.

"First of all, do you have a preference for breakfast?" she asked.

"None," Roger said. "I can find something on any menu."

"Since it is Saturday morning let's try waffles. My kids love waffles on Saturday." Jan said.

"I'm easy as far as food goes, so let's do waffles," Roger said.

"Bring your backpack, we won't be coming back here," She said. "After breakfast we will find you a more comfortable place. It will take a couple of days to build an identity."

Roger knew that she wouldn't be finding him a place, she would simply drive him to the preselected place. He didn't care as long as it had a more comfortable bed. The cot was designed to be uncomfortable. In a real interrogation situation the interrogator would want the victim sleep deprived and disoriented.

The waffle restaurant had a lot more class then the Waffle House truck stop style roadside restaurant where he usually went for waffles.

"So is someone working on the office computers today?" Roger asked.

"If you were an emergency situation, there would be. The boss thought we could give everyone their regular days off. So if there is anything you want to do speak up."

"You aren't going to like it," Roger warned.

"Try me, I'm pretty flexible," Jan said.

"I would like to get some coffee to go, and sit by a lake somewhere alone. I would like some more time to adjust to the idea that I just walked away from my old life."

"I have had stranger requests," Jan said.

"I'll bet, but I won't ask you to be a pimp or to sleep with me." Roger said.

"I'm going to hold you to that," Jan said with a smile. "So first we will get you settled into the new nest. Then we can either go shopping or give you some alone time, your choice."

"Thanks Jan, and I promise to be good," Roger said.

Since she was on an expense account, Roger allowed Jan to pick up the check. Roger also felt the government owed him.

The first stop after their breakfast was a large square three story building. It was a people warehouse covered vinyl siding trying to make it appear less so. The sign beside the entrance stated that it was an all suite hotel. Also according to the sign, it offered free cable TV, HBO, and high speed internet services. It was a place for the out of town business traveler to relax between meetings. Most of the rentals were to people like himself, Roger imagined. Well not exactly like him. He expected they were people needing a place for less than a week. He couldn't imagine staying there long term.

Roger dropped his back pack in the suite which had obviously been previously booked. Hell it might even be a permanent rental as a safe house. Jan drove him to a big box department store where had purchased more underwear and a few more tee shirts with logos on them. He also purchased three pairs of Dickie work pants. The pair he wore were stained from coffee and food. He hadn't had many meals recently that weren't on wheels.

While he was shopping he notice one of those fishnet bags. The kind the European shoppers carried grocery shopping. He bought one thinking it would make a good folding laundry hamper. Those items went on the company credit card. Which company he wasn't quite sure.

Some of the items were items that Jan tossed into the cart. She added soap, shampoo, tooth paste, and deodorant were in the checkout as well.

"I brought my own toothbrush," Roger commented seeing a new one on the conveyor belt.

"I didn't," Jan said simply.

With their purchases stored in the trunk, Jan started the car. She didn't leave the parking lot right away, because there was a McDonald's restaurant in the parking lot. She drove through the take out lane where she ordered the large cardboard coffee cube.

The sign on the entrance to the park read, 'County Reservoir No Swimming'. It was one of those green highway signs which struck him as being a little unusual. Nonetheless Jan parked the car beside an office building. "The coffee is for both of us, so take a cup. When you need more come back I'll be here playing my music," she said.

"You won't be bored?" Roger asked.

"Probably, but the alternative is to talk to you, You don't want that and I don't either to be honest. I'm not your friend. I'm not sure what the job is, but it's what I do. I really do a little of everything."

"Well I hope your number one priority is to keep me alive. I guess you don't have to be my friend to do that." Roger took a coffee cup and filled it. She had asked the girl working the drive through window for the, so he planned to carry two cups to a picnic table.

"See that empty table. The one straight ahead ten yards and off to our left about twenty. You can watch the water from there." Jan said.

"And you can watch me," Roger said under his breath before he turned his back for the walk to the table He carried a coffee in each hand. He sat for some time with is coffee and though about his future. His plan was to take the new ID then just walk away. He had the reward money, so he didn't need to work, if he lived sensibly. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, so the money would last long enough.

So where am I going to go? he asked himself. The wanted warm weather, but that wouldn't be a good idea. All those gulf coast states were cartel territory. Most of the northern states had become a battlegrounds for Urban gorillas. The mid Atlantic was the most likely place for him to be recognized a former acquaintance.

Canada was a possibility as was a Caribbean island. Canada was cold and the Caribbean was too close to South America, so they were all less than a perfect choice. There was also the fact that he would go nuts trying to sit home and do nothing. He had all these thoughts earlier, but then so did the DOJ, he knew.