INFECTION 2.0

~ EIGHTEEN ~

“Here you go lady, Four Hundred Willow, that’ll be twenty-two bucks.”

Carly opened her purse and rummaged around for her wallet. She had the money, paying the toll wasn’t really a problem, but a devilish smile crossed her lips. She really couldn’t explain why. It’s not like the cabby was handsome, or even attractive in any way. A middle-aged man with a large beer belly, he wore a dirty, old, derby cap that still didn’t cover just how much hair his baldness had claimed.

She leaned toward him, still wearing that grin. “I seem to be a little short, and I’m so embarrassed, but maybe you’d let me slide if I gave you one hell of an orgasm?”

“Hello, Miriam, this is Zane Turner, with the FDA, badge number two-two-one-one-eight.” the man with the leather jacket paused impatiently for a moment, “yes, with the FDA. Would you like the eight hundred number? You may call and verify my badge number...Okay, then. Just recently one of your cabs picked up a person from the Starlight Hotel on Highway Seventeen. I need to know where they were going.” Another impatient pause. “Yes, ma’am, and if I have to come down to the office there it’ll be with court orders to recall every cab the company has and I’m going to keep every last one parked until I find the cab, the driver, and the passenger that just left the hotel. I’ll make sure it takes well into tomorrow afternoon... Yes, I’ll hold.” again he waited, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. “Yes. Willow Street, you say. Thank you. Now listen close to me. You need to call your driver. What did you say his name is?... Okay, you need to call Ralph Newberry and tell him to stay put. If he’s not sitting there waiting for me when I get to Willow Street I’m going to come down to your office there and I’m going to be pissed off. Miriam, do you know what the fines are for hindering an investigation? No? Well, if Ralph isn’t waiting for me I’ll have a citation for you and for your employer and you’ll find out, understand?... Thank you.”

The stranger clapped his phone shut and eased out into traffic.