Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

43) The Return of the Red Jeep

In the days before the stadium battle when Steven and I were trying to just survive, that red jeep parked in front of my house now was a symbol of danger and evil. That red jeep took my Torin away one time. It represented desperation and terror to me before, but now it represents family and hope because it belongs to the Resistance.

Stepping out of the jeep is the driver who drove my Torin away once before - it is Jack. Carli gets out of the front passenger side, and I am so happy to see she is ok, that I fling open the door.

It is only when I see Reginald Lancaster crawl out of the back seat that I remember that Jack is supposed to be rescued now and headed back to his country. What happened? I remember that Mr. Thomas said I need to be careful of this man named Lancaster. My guard goes up, and I think about my gun that I left inside on the kitchen table.

Before I can step back inside, Carli has me wrapped up in a hug and says, "Where have you been my darling little cousin? We have searched and searched. This is the third time we've been to your house."

Before I can say where I've been, Reginald Lancaster says, "Have you seen my son?"

I quickly excuse myself from Carli's grip and step inside and get my gun and stick it in the back of my pants. After what Mr. Thomas said, I am not sure I can trust this Lancaster. Now, that I think about it, I'm not so sure about the son either. I come back outside and say, "I don't know what is going on, but Gus told me you argued."

"So, you have seen him?" asks Reginald. "Good. We did argue, but maybe he is thinking more clearly now. We have a mission we need to complete so we can all get back home again."

"Yes, Gus told me your story when you were collecting something to burn. He said he worked with you in the secret service. You met with another man who was undercover here. He got killed in High Point looking for the prince."

"Davies," says Reginald. "Agent Davies came with me from England. Torin's mother sent us here to collect her son." He looks at Jack and adds, "And Jack, of course, and anyone else in their entourage left alive. Augustus is not an agent. He has been living and going to school in your capitol. He is a spy of sorts, though we don't like to call them that anymore. He met us in Asheboro, and he and Davies did go to High Point, but Davies was killed there. When I finally met up with Augustus in Pilot, he told me he never found the prince or anyone in High Point. He said Davies was killed in an accident."

Wow, I didn't know Agent Lancaster could speak more than a syllable at a time. I ask, "So, Gus is not an agent?"

"No."

Why would Gus lie about being an agent? Typical guy meeting a girl he wants to impress, I guess, though being undercover is impressive too.

"Where is Augustus now?" asks Agent Lancaster.

Before I can answer, Jack has a question of his own:

"Have you seen Torin? We have looked all over and can't find him anywhere. "

Carli adds, "We double backed to camp and saw Cindy who said she loaned Torin a golf cart. He was looking for you, she said. She told him where you were headed. he had a little head start on us, but still we should have caught up with him by now.

"I'm surprised you didn't pass him on the road back to Dobson," I say. "In the golf cart. They left a while ago. Gus said he was meeting his dad in Elkin."

"Elkin?" says Reginald.

"Yeah, Gus said you were all meeting there, Jack, the prince, and you were leaving for home. Torin said it too."

"So, the prince is with Augustus?" asks his dad who is grinning like only a proud dad can. "So, my son found Prince Torin, and they are meeting me in Elkin."

I nod and both Carli and Jack exchange glances, and their glances look like I have just given them bad news. Reginald's secret agent detection skills must not be on high alert, either that or he is just glad to hear that Gus is following up with the mission, because he does not notice the exchange.

"So where is Elkin?"

I explain where Elkin is in relation to where Dobson and our new camp is located.

"We've got to go," says Reginald, "get to Elkin." He is as excited as any man would be who is going home after a long, treacherous journey.

Carli and Jack exchange those looks again, and Carli says:

"We have some other business to take care of while we are here, family business. Right Elie?"

I don't know what the hell is going on, but I play along. "Family business," I agree like I have just been given a mission of my own.

Jack's demeanor turns very serious, and he addresses the agent in his most professional manner: "I won't be going with you Agent Lancaster. Prince Torin is in very capable hands now, and I must remain in this country to help these ladies. After all, the love of my life now needs my assistance, and I will not abandon her or her family in their time of need."

Jack pulls Carli close and hugs her like he will never leave her side.

Agent Lancaster is in a hurry now that he can almost see his return to England and his very near retirement. He is definitely not going to argue with a lovesick royal minion who insists on being left behind.

Just to make sure that the agent understands that Jack still supports the effort to protect his prince, Jack offers up the keys to the jeep. Reginald doesn't even ask us how we are going to get back to Dobson or anywhere else. He is gone before anyone can change their mind.

After Agent Lancaster is out of sight, this is the exchange between Carli and Jack:

Carli: "Dang, Jack did you have to give him the jeep?"

Jack: "I wasn't sure he was buying it. I thought he might insist I go too."

Carli: "The love-of-my-life part of your speech was a nice touch."

Jack: "Well, I wasn't completely lying there. You will always be the love of my life, beautiful lady."

Carli: "And you mine, you beautiful liar."

What the hell is going on? I have no idea. Oh well, at least someone in my family is with the love of her life.

There is always a happy ending for Carli, but never for me.