Captain Jack: A Thrilling Mystery Novel (Detective Jack Stratton Mystery Thriller Series Book 9) by Christopher Greyson

Author:Christopher Greyson [Greyson, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683990987
Publisher: Greyson Media
Published: 2021-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

35

Jack slowed the little motorcycle down as the light in front of him turned red. The engine sputtered. Jack planted his feet and gave it a little gas. It choked and coughed. He started rocking the bike back and forth.

“What are you doing?” Alice asked, tightening her grip on his waist.

“There might be water in the gas tank. The bike must have been sitting for a while.”

Jack’s heart sped up as a police cruiser pulled up behind him.

The engine sputtered and died.

Jack flipped up his visor. “Cops behind us. Don’t turn around.” This time Alice complied. He tried starting the engine. It cranked and chugged but didn’t turn over.

The light turned green. A car beeped its horn. The cruiser hit its lights.

Jack swore. Flipping his visor back down, he started walking the bike over to the side of the road. “Wave the police on. Look ditzy and pretty.”

Alice started motioning for the policeman to go around them, but the cruiser pulled in behind the motorcycle. Alice’s voice took on a slight sing-song lilt, “He’s getting out.”

The police cruiser door swung open.

Jack tried again, but the engine only sputtered.

The middle-aged policeman with a bit of a paunch slid out of the cruiser and ambled over.

“Act like a tourist,” Jack whispered as he slid off the motorcycle. “Hi, Officer,” Jack called out. “Thanks for stopping, but I got this. A little water in the gas.”

The policeman nodded, smiled, and ignored Jack as he strolled up. “Boy, what’s that? An ’82?”

Jack shrugged and looked at the pieced-together motorcycle. “It’s more of an ’82, ’83, ’87 ...”

The cop laughed. “Johnny Cash, ‘One Piece at a Time’! I love that song.” He walked over and stared down at the engine. He stood there for a minute and reached out. “Excuse me, miss.” He leaned forward as Alice, who was still sitting on the bike, leaned back. The policeman removed the gas cap and held it up for Jack to see. “The air vent is blocked.” He rapped it against the handle bars, screwed it back on and said to Alice, “Give it a try.”

Alice made a face. “I only know how to hang on.”

“You need to learn to be more than just ballast.” The policeman gave her a fatherly look. “I taught my daughters to ride. All five of them.” He peered at the dashboard. “It’s already in neutral and the engine is warm, so you don’t need the choke. Pull the clutch in. It’s the handle on the left.”

Alice pulled the handle in.

“Hit the start button.”

She did and the engine sputtered to life.

“That’s awesome.” Jack smiled. “Thank you so much.” He reached for the handlebars.

“Hold on there a second.” The policeman frowned. “Your tag is expired. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to write it up. I need your license.”

Jack nodded and reached for his pocket. He feigned surprise as he patted himself down and then gritted his teeth. “Oh, no! I left it at that restaurant.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “All of our money’s in there!”

“Both of you hold on.

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