The sun is peeking above the beautifully jagged Ozark mountains, casting bright streaks across the carwash parking lot. Josh paces back and forth as he continues to explain.
"I don't think either of us should get involved in this," he proclaims, running his fingers through his chocolate brown hair.
"It's Millie Josh, our lifelong friend."
"I know, I know, but…"
With frustration building, Jake tries again. "Could you live with yourself, knowing she's in prison for murders she didn't commit?"
Josh stops. "What if she did it? I mean, the sergeant seems to think she has a case, and you have to admit, the proof is solid."
"Well, I'll tell you right now, she's wrong."
"How can you be so sure after all they found?"
"I can feel it in my gut."
Josh snorts. "Your gut hasn't always been spot on, bro. In fact, it's failed you more times than not."
Jake opened his mouth to protest, then remembered Josh's failed attempts. His latest was starting a business with his college funds. It did well for a short while; Josh blamed it on the economy, covid, and that. "Neither has yours, bro."
A hint of bitterness creeps into his voice. "Dad reminds me about my mistake every chance he gets." He sighs. "Claims he has higher hopes for me than that."
"Childhood memories surface. I've been living in your shadow my whole damn life."
"It hasn't been that bad."
"Says you. Do you know what it does to a kid's self-esteem to be compared to the prodigy son?" Jake's anger builds as he continues to argue. "So yeah—maybe it's about time you royally screwed up."
"You've always been Mom's favorite."
"Because she felt sorry for me." He peeks into the rearview to find the car still on his tail. His tension increases. "So will you help get her out of town?"
"And be an accomplice like you? I don't think so."
"It'd only be for a few hours, until I can figure something else out."
"A lot can happen in that time. I could get stopped headed home, or the cops could get a warrant to search my home and find her there."
"She's not a fugitive." Jake barks into the phone.
"Then why is she running?"
"She's not running; she's just tired of being harassed, is all. Besides, they'd have no reason to suspect you of anything. And the cops would need solid proof that you're involved for a warrant."
"Hanging out with you might be enough."
Jake rolls his eyes. You worry too much."
"I just don't want to be a part of this, ok?"
"Two hours max, Josh, that's all I'm asking for."
Josh nervously glances around to find the lot empty. "But Jake, I…"
"Wouldn't you want Millie to do the same for you if you were in her shoes?"
"I'd hope she would, but…"
'Think about how close we were, all the fun we shared." Recalling a memory, he smiles, then adds, "Think about the time you two snuck off behind the bleachers."
Millie's face turns red when she hears Josh mention it. The half-naked teens were so into each other they didn't realize that they were being taped. The video was posted and taken down after going viral through the school. Millie didn't think she'd ever live it down.
"I know you still have feelings for her." Jake presses. "So do it for the girl, that bright-eyed girl that stole your heart."
Josh pictures her in his mind. "Alright, alright, I'll do it, but two hours tops, alright?"
"Thanks, bro, you're the greatest." Pulling up behind Josh, Jake honks. Josh jumps as he screams. "Not funny, bro," he screams into the phone. Jake, of course, is rolling with laughter.
A few minutes later, Josh pulls into the car wash. Slipping out of Jake's car, Millie hides in the booth.
Josh pulls in shortly after. Jumping in, Millie hides in the trunk.
"I sure appreciate this," she says, clicking the back seat into place.
. I hope I don't regret it, he thinks. Taking a quick look around, he pulls away.
The two pull into Josh's long cabin a few minutes later without incident, which is a relief for both.
Climbing out, Millie glances around at the breathtaking view. This is beautiful, Josh."
"It's the only thing I have to show for my latest business adventure." With a heavy sigh he adds. "A business failure is more like it."
"I heard about that, and I'm sorry that it didn't go as you had planned.
Josh shrugs, "Bad timing is all. But I'm saving up, hoping to try again."
"I'm sure you'll get it this time."
"It'd be great to show the old man that I'm not the loser he thinks I am."
"Your dad hasn't ever thought that about you."
"Since the business flopped, he does. Well, let's get you somewhere safe.' He urges, leading her inside.
Once settled in the front room, Josh asks, "So Jake said that you feel like someone is trying to frame you?"
"I know they are. Now I have to figure out how to prove my theory." Seeing the skeptical look, she adds, "I'll show you. Reaching into the smallest bag, she pulls out a chart. The first column listed victims and their time and place of death. The second was the break-ins, and the third listed the evidence that was found. Millie points to the second row and then the third. "The break-ins were when the murderer planted the evidence."
"What about the blood on your shirt?"
"That could've been transferred from my uniform when I changed."
"And the muddy shoes?"
"The killer could have worn them and then put them back, knowing that once I'd seen the unexplained blood, I'd call the cops."
"You'll need a lot more than a chart to prove your theory."
Millie falls back on the couch. "I know."
"So do you have any ideas on who would want to do this to you?"
"I'm thinking it'd have to be someone from work. It would have to be someone who'd know my schedule, my personal business."
"That helps some. So the first step would be to list your enemies at work and then narrow it down more?
"Great idea. And whoever it is would have to look like me or wear a mask since they could disable the facial recognition on my alarm." She yawns as she glances at the chart again. "I can hardly keep my eyes open. Yawning again, he rubs her dry, red eyes.
"I think you need a little rest before you start on anything."
"You're probably right." The guest bedroom is the first door on the right."
"Thanks again, Josh, for helping me." With that, she heads down the hall.