The gps read showed it would be another 70 miles until I reach my hotel. I've been driving since The Muffin Man died four weeks ago. January 22nd stares at me from the dash as the highway stretches on. There was a rhythmic flash of white lines 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 then said “Call Karlo.” I heard the dial tone rang for a bit before 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 the slow car in front of me.

“Why it’s not like your planning to overthrow god…are you,”” Karlo questioned.

“No, of course not. Anyway, yes, I haven’t stopped driving since the Russian mob could be anywhere and if I stop for too long, I’m worried they might kill me execution style.” I said. The car I passed was now in the distance with its headlights slowly fading away. I moved out of the passing lane and back into the right lane.

“Oh, they wouldn’t kill you quickly. They would torture you first. So much time has passed. They're going to be curious to find out who you told about the murder. Then once they have all the information they need, they’ll probably shoot you in the face like that guy you watched die on the roof.” 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?” There was so much joy in Karlo’s as he said it.

“No, not even in the slightest.” I said, flicking on my high beams now that I was driving through a part of the highway that had no lights. “Anyway, have you gotten any updates from the local police?”

“They are still investigating the murder of the guy you saw on the roof. It turns out he was one of the station's informant’s laundering money for the mob. It’s still unknown how they figured it out.”

“That dude had some big kahunas. He even went down fighting.” I said. I flicked my high beams off as a car from the opposing lane approached.

“Yeah, he was a pretty cool dude. He could do this trick where he could juggle bowling pins on fire. But I digress. It’s probably for the better you stay clear of the city while the local police are getting this settled.”

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

“Don’t worry Tom, I spoke with my advisor and your registered as my informant. You temporarily have the same authorization as a cop and all of your expenses are covered under my budget. Just send me your receipts, and I’ll reimburse you while the mob case is ongoing.” Karlo said. It had been silent on his end of the call, but for the first time I could hear him drinking something. “Let me know where your hotel is going to be tomorrow night, and I will mail your badge using our priority mail service. For now, just use my card.”

“Oh wow, Karlo, I don’t even know how I could ever thank you for all of this.”

“I’m not doing this for free. I am going to need a few different favors from you. 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 she put a hex on my last two exes that led to their deaths. Speaking of which, I need to you on a flight back home soon to collect my things from her.”

“Aye Aye Captain. I just have to say I'm so thankful every day that I don't have your dating problems.”

“You’re the best Morningstar. I have to get going. Luana could wake up any moment and start monitoring me.”

“No worries, but later you have to tell me about this subscription thing you are on. It might come in handy one day.” I said before hanging up the phone.

I reached for the dashboard to change the station, but another phone call came in. It was Syd. Tapping the screen, I answered the call. “Hey babe, I miss you. When are you coming home? It’s been a few months since the mafia chased you out of the city. You should be safe to come home.” I could hear the sorrow in her voice as she said it.

“I know darling, I miss you deeply, too. But these are some bad people. They aren’t going to give up that easily. Karlo thinks they have a hit on me.” I said, rubbing my steering wheel.

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

“Karlo works for some secret government agency higher than the CIA or FBI. He can’t just up and leave his duties for a low-level street gang. He’s already doing me an absolute huge favor by working with the local police to plan an operation to take them down.” I said as I exited the highway, almost at my hotel. “Also, not to mention he got us out of that old apartment and moved us into a new apartment in less than a month.”

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

“Slow and steady, wins the race. As long as we stay the course, I will be home in no time.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. The quicker things come, the quicker they fade. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting you back home!”

When I was on the highway, I saw a billboard advertising a cruise. There was a smiling couple holding hands as they walked with their luggage. Behind them was a large cruise ship was docked. “Hey how 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 upcoming scheduled surgeries. But if I remember correctly, I think I should be able to take a week off in the upcoming weeks.”

“Alright, I will 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 getting on the phone with the travel agent 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. Rain drops patted onto the windshield and I could hear the cackle of thunder in the distance.