Golden Bird

Just as dusk approached, the big black car drove by, but instead of following her, Jack sat in his car for a while longer until he was satisfied there was no other traffic at this time of night. This was Thursday already and if Sara kept to the same routine, he'd plan on snatching her Monday night. Abdulah's plans were to leave the country on Tuesday afternoon, so Jack would be cutting it close. He would only have one chance, so he better not blow it.

Over the next few days he laid the groundwork for his plan. He made a few trips to the hardware store and made a point of speaking to her. Of course there was the slight chance she might recognize him from their collision at the casino in Atlantic City, but he discounted it as being too remote, and for his plan to work, she would have to feel that he was no threat. He made small talk with her and even flirted a little.

He told her he was on his way to Canada to visit relatives, but since he'd never been to this part of the country before, decided to hang around a few days, so he might as well try to fix the stereo in his car. He would need some wire, clippers, and also some duct tape to fix that air leak in the passenger window that was driving him crazy. The car was falling apart, he told her, and he just hoped it would make it to Canada. She was very helpful and wished him luck on his trip. Oh, one more thing, did she know where he could get a nice heavy, wool blanket. As it turned out, they had some right there.

Then on Monday evening, Jack pulled over to the side of the road where Sara would see him as she passed by on her way home. He got out of the car, walked around to the front, and popped open the hood. Then he waited, and sure enough, the black Lincoln approached and slowed down as it reached him. There was still enough daylight left for her to see and recognize him, so she stopped.

"Is there something I can do to help?" She asked as she got out of her car to join Jack in front of his. "What's the problem?"

"It's just what I was afraid of," he said as he peered into the engine. "I'm sure it's just a hose, but my eyes are going crazy trying to see which one. Do you think you can see if this is where the leak is? I hate to ask, but it makes things a lot easier if you can tell the mechanic which hose you need."