It was a bright afternoon when Julie and George drove back to the trailer park from the sheriff's office. The chemical odors were less noticeable and, unlike the yellow, dry, and singed trees near the train wreck, the surrounding woods were green. There were a few large trailers in the park, some bearing the names of news stations.
The bright sun and clean air didn't make Julie feel at ease. As she got out of the car and helped George into the trailer she felt tightness in her stomach. Peter was in jail and she was powerless against Hilbaum and the sheriff. When she entered the trailer she quickly disarmed the alarm and looked at the camera that monitored the front door. George went to the nearest bed and sat down, wiping his perspiring forehead with his sleeve. Julie turned on the air conditioner and one of the computers, and then turned her attention to George.
"What can I get you George? Do you need a doctor?"
"No, I'm OK, I just need to get out of this business, that's all. I could be writing about the latest movies, or better yet, obituaries, but no, I have to be playing secret agent games all of the sudden. What the hell was I thinking!"
"Calm down George."
"Calm down? This is the second time in as many weeks that someone beats me up in this fucking town! I mean, agent Hilbaum and the sheriff are as crooked as they come! I know who sent the cowboy to attack us! Hilbaum, your FBI friend. He signaled them. I saw him nod at them when they came in the door. Didn't you notice?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. I had no idea what they were going to do. I had other things on my mind."
"You led me into the lion's den; now they're going to be after me, and you can't do anything to stop them Ms. Del Rio."
"Well, I know at least one person who can."
"Who?"
"Assistant Director Gutierrez. She can investigate Hilbaum. In fact, I better call her right now." Finding her cell phone in her handbag, she started to dial, and then said, "Shit the battery is dead!"
"Don't you charge it every night?"
"No, I forgot." When she plugged the phone into the power cord the cellular displayed two voice messages from Gutierrez.
"Oh no! She called and I didn't answer."
She pressed the dial button. "Hello, Mrs. Gutierrez please."
"Hello, Assistant Director Gutierrez."
"Ms. Del Rio, why didn't you answer my calls? I was ready to send agent Hilbaum to see if you were alright."
"I'm sorry Ma'am, but the cell phone wasn't working."
"Please be sure that the battery in your communications device is operational at all times. We must maintain communications in the field."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Agent Hilbaum called to brief me on the situation."
"And what was his story?"
