According to the GPS, my hotel was coming up in about 70 miles. Looking over at the date, it showed Jan 22. Four weeks had passed since I got The Muffin Man killed in the mafia attack. This highway felt endless, stretching forever ahead of me. Rhythmic flashes of white lines pulsed under the headlights. Red taillights dotted the distance like embers, while moonlight caught the guardrails, making them shimmer against the darkness.

On my steering wheel, I used my thumb and clicked the voice prompt and then said, “Call Karlo.” I heard the dial tone for a little, and then he picked up.

“What’s up, Morningstar! You still on the road?” Karlo said in his usual cheery voice.

“Do you always have to call me by my last name? It always freaks people out.” I flicked my left turn signal on and changed lanes to move past a slow car in front of me.

“Why, it’s not like you're planning to overthrow God…wait are you?” Karlo questioned.

“No, of course not. Anyway,to answer your question, yes, I haven’t stopped driving since the mafia could be anywhere. If I stop for too long, I’m worried they might kill me execution-style like that guy on the roof.” I said. The car I passed was now in the distance with its headlights slowly fading away.

“Oh, they wouldn’t kill you quickly, they would torture you first. It's been sometime and they'll want to figure out who you talked to. Then once they have all the information they need,they’ll probably shoot you in the face, or tie rocks to your ankles and throw you in the ocean.” Karlo said.

“You’re such a comforting friend, Karlo, thanks for calming my nerves.” I said, moving back to the right lane.

“You really mean that?” I could hear the joy in Karlo's voice.

“No, not even in the slightest.” I said, I entered a part of the highway with no streetlights, so I turned on my high beams “Anyway, have you heard anything from the local police in the report I gave you?”

“They are still investigating the murder of the guy you saw on the roof. It turns out he was the station’s informant, laundering money for the mafia. We're still not sure how they figured it out.”

“That dude had some big kahunas; even before they killed him, he spit in the boss's face. It takes balls to go down swinging.” I said. I flicked my high beams off as a car from the opposing lane approached.

"That guy had massive balls, even before he helped us out. I met him once at a party where he juggled bowling pins that were on fire. Anyway, stay out of the city until this investigation blows over."

“Ugh, so you mean I have to live out of hotels and eat fast food while this whole thing is getting wrapped up.”

"Would you rather have them rip your fingernails out one by one, or get electroshocked in the balls with jumper cables before they ultimately shoot you in the face?"

"You know you're right. I want an open casket, and the continental breakfast isn't that bad at most hotels."

Karlo laughed. "Don't worry, Tom. I spoke with my advisor—you're officially registered as my informant now. That gives you temporary detective-level authorization, and I'll cover all your expenses from my budget. Just send me the receipts." He took a loud slurp of his drink. "Tell me which hotel you'll be at tomorrow night. I'll overnight your badge through priority mail at the nearest post office. Until then, just use the FOP card I gave you and tell them to call me if they have questions."

"Holy shit, Karlo. You do not know how much this helps. I seriously can't thank you enough."

“I’m not doing this for free; I am going to be asking for a few favors from you in the near future. This is the year that I am finally breaking things off with Luana. She simply won’t accept the fact that things are over, and it's getting out of control. My last two girlfriends are dead because she put a hex on them.”

“Aye Aye Captain. I am so thankful every day that I do not have your dating problems.”

“Yeah, whatever, Morningstar, I have to get going. Luana could wake up any moment, and she is going to start spying on me again.”

“Oh, and later you have to tell me about this magic subscription thing you both are on. It might come in handy later.” I said before hanging up the phone.

Just as I reached for the radio, a new incoming call came across the car's screen. It was Syd.

"Hey babe, I miss you. When are you coming home? It's been a few weeks since the mafia ran you out of town. They've probably moved on to other criminal stuff by now." Her voice sounded sad and tired.

"I doubt they'll forget the guy in llama pajamas who looked like he was about to call the cops as they were in the middle of killing a snitch." I gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Look, I know this sucks. I miss you like crazy too. But these aren't the people who just forget and let live, Syd. Karlo thinks there's a hit out on me."

“Can’t you, like, get Karlo to do some special hitman thing and crush their whole organization overnight?”

I paused for a second. Realistically, he could probably get it done in a week. Nah, he's already done so much for me.

"Karlo works for a top-secret government agency. We're talking about an agency way above the CIA and FBI. He can't just drop everything to deal with a street gang. That he's even helping coordinate with local cops and the FBI to take these guys down is already a huge favor." I took the exit ramp as I was approaching my hotel. "Besides, once this is over, we can finally get out of that crappy apartment and find a better place."

“I know, but I wish it would get wrapped up sooner. It’s taking way too long.” Syd pouted on the phone.

“Well, Syd, slow and steady wins the race…”

“I know, I know! You say it all the time. Slow and steady wins the race; the quicker things come, the quicker they fade. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you back home!”

There was a billboard I passed on the highway advertising cruises. Just a typical picture of a smiling couple holding hands with their suitcases, with an enormous cruise ship behind them at the port. But something about it stuck with me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized... “Hey, what about this? I have some vacation time saved up; let’s go on a cruise together.”

“Really, we can!? That would be amazing! Hold on, I need to check my work schedule. But if I remember correctly, I think I have enough to take a two-week cruise.”

“Alright, I'll see you soon, pretty,” I said.

“Aw baby, you know I love it when you call me pretty! Great, now I’m going to miss you even more! I’m looking for the best deals right now! See you soon, my love!” she said before ending the call.

 I looked at the navigation system. When I take the next right, I will be at my destination. Raindrops patted onto the windshield, and I could heart he cackle of thunder in the distance. Thank God I beat the storm.