I haven't been ... well... "active"... for about a month.
Back then, Doyle contacted me and told me that DHS was putting all non-essential work - including our Project - on hold. They were pretty sure that the government was going to be shut down by the start of October and they needed to plan for that. He said that they were also sure that the "maniacs in charge of the asylum" wouldn't let us go into default so they expected things to go back to normal after October 17th.
I knew what that meant to me. There would be no one following me in the hopes that Gordon would make contact and they could grab him. (Of course, they don't know that he already has, and I haven't said anything about it. There's something else going on here, and I'm still trying to figure it out.) I decided to put things on hold myself.
I got another text from Doyle yesterday, the 21st. Everything has been re-approved - largely because Jones wants Gordon badly. So, as Doyle put it, "We're open for business."
I headed out early this morning. It was the start of a perfect Autumn day, crisp and sunny. I drove up St. George Avenue intending to stop at the Shoprite. I was in the right lane heading for the turn off when a large truck made the turn from the left lane, cutting me off.
I got caught at the light, but found him in the parking lot easily enough.
He was still in the cab, and taking up too much space. I lowered my passenger side window and leaned over. It was early, sunny, and he was checking something on his smart phone.
Point, press, Flash.
I felt good. I went into the store but only brought the paper.
I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast, then drove through Iselin and into Colonia. I eventually stopped at the library in Metuchen.
Coming out the back door, I noticed this guy rooting around in the back of his truck.
I was on foot, and walked across the street - carefully looking around. There was no one else there. I got as close as I dared, then ..
Point, press, Flash ..
and I turned back towards my car, got in, and drove away.
My heart was racing.
I ran a few more errands and headed for home. I was going to stop at the Subways in Woodbridge, so I wound up on Chain-of-Hills Road heading back towards St. George. This is a winding road and around one of the curves I came up behind this woman on roller blades.
You have to understand something. I consider this woman a menace. She roller blades up and down this road, switching sides whenever she feels like it, and sometimes she just coasts in the middle. She always wears headphones, and appears to be oblivious to anyone else.
I narrowed the gap, being conscious of my surroundings and keeping watch for anyone else.
I passed her on one of the curves.
Point, press, Flash.
I saw her roll into the trees in my rear view mirror.
I was feeling great.
Doyle was right we are back, and we are ...
open for business.
