Chapter 16
The music festival started at 1930 that evening and Mitch insisted on taking the first shift so he could guard his precious Dodge. Brandon and Molly patrolled the surrounding car parks while Josh and Jordan rested in the dorm before their patrol duties started at midnight. As for me and Luis, well we had the best job, watching the concert, which naturally was still part of our investigative work. There were actually a few good bands playing that evening and I know the others would have loved it. I did step outside a few times to see if anyone needed my help, but as there were no new developments in the case, it was hardly worth the effort.
Mitch had been right about one thing, the campus car parks were overflowing with vehicles that night, all parked for the festival, which surely provided easy pickings for the carjackers. Unfortunately they were a no show. The car parks started to empty out after the concert and Mitch moved the Dodge back to the staff car park before heading off to get a few hours sleep.
‘We can try this again tomorrow,’ said Mitch as he walked away.
Mitch would have to manage without us the next night, as we’d be busy performing on stage from 2000.
After their night shift duties, Josh and Jordan got to spend the morning in bed, in separate rooms I might add quickly. The rest of us elected to skip morning classes to concentrate on the investigation. Luis received a reply from HQ regarding the photo identities of the two suspects that Josh had seen lurking around the campus car park and both men were college lecturers. This could be a good lead or was it simply two guys worried about their vehicles being stolen, either way Josh would continue to investigate. He’d seen the two men having lunch in the canteen the day before but there seemed to be nothing unusual about that.
When Josh and Jordan woke up around midday, they came straight out to find us. By now we were all feeling really tired from a combination of the wasted night patrols and a general lack of sleep. The thought of having to perform on stage that night was already making me feel weary and with no firm leads in the case, it was a big disappointment to everyone.
DA Logan had already been on Mitch’s back about the case as she was eager for a quick resolution but there was no good news for her. Now the pressure was on.
After a full day’s undercover activity we decided to head back to our rooms for something to eat and to freshen up before the gig. At 1900 we made our separate ways to the venue to meet up with Luis who already had coffee and donuts waiting for us. This was becoming a bit of a concert tradition.
I was wearing one of my more colourful shirts which actually looked quite hideous. Even Brandon, who was partial to the odd piece of bright clothing, had to cover his eyes and pass comment.
‘Wow Joseph, leave the dream coat behind next time please.’
How insensitive I thought, but laughed it off.
We had 30 minutes before our performance and sat talking in the dressing room when Mitch interrupted us, He burst in carrying a giant box full of wigs, beards, make up and absolutely ridiculous items of clothing from God knows what era. It looked like he’d just raided the time tunnels lost property cupboard.
‘You can’t go out on stage without wearing a disguise because the students and teachers will recognise you. Remember you’re supposed to be undercover,’ Mitch said tapping his head.
Good point I thought.
‘I can’t stop long as the Dodge is parked outside waiting for the carjackers to snatch it, so pick something from the box,’ he said hurriedly.
‘You’re kidding us right Mitch?’ Josh said as he peered in the dressing up box.
‘I have to draw the line at wearing a ginger wig,’ said Brandon as he pulled out the contents.
‘OK shall we just agree to get on with it,’ said Molly as she emptied the contents onto the dressing room table. Like father like daughter I was thinking.
Mitch wished us a quick good luck before dashing off with a cheeky grin. OK the disguises weren’t perfect, in fact they were hideous, but they’d have to do for now. We’d have more time to prepare for the next concert. Josh put on what he felt suited him best and I did the same before all the good stuff was taken. We were in hysterics looking in the mirror.
‘What do I look like?’ said Brandon wearing a fuzzy wig and flared trousers like someone out of the Jackson 5 cartoon series.
Poor Molly was a cross between Hannah Montana and Kiss, but without the make up.
‘OK guys, you’re on in five minutes,’ said Luis as he ran into the dressing room.
He stopped for a split second to do a double take making sure he was in the right room, then shrugged his shoulders and left. I guess he’d seen pretty much everything having worked in the music industry, so five teens in virtual drag was nothing unusual.
I had a scraggy goatee beard glued to my chin and a lime green suede jacket draped over my shirt, which made me look like a 1970s’ pimp. At least the jacket went with my loud shirt. As if we weren’t feeling nervous enough already, now we had these makeshift disguises to contend with up on stage.
‘Right let’s get out there and wow the crowd,’ said Brandon looking for a high five, so I obliged not wanting to leave him hanging.
The head of the student council was waiting on stage to introduce us, but stopped to ask what the band was called.
‘Good question and I guess we’re still the band with no name,’ said Brandon as he led the way.
‘OK guys, I’d like to welcome on stage our headline act, the band with no name.’
What’s in a name, I thought, apart from merchandise and endorsement opportunities? We sprinted out on stage with the lights still dimmed and I was hoping nobody would laugh when they saw the costumes. The adrenalin was pumping as the stage lights came up and the music started. Our first two songs were Kings of Leon covers, which really rocked the place and I doubt the crowd had any time to notice what we were wearing, what with all their jumping about, thank goodness. The audience loved it and our next set of cover songs included ‘Pretender’ by the Foo Fighters, ‘Vertigo’ by U2 and Train’s ‘Drops of Jupiter’ to name but a few. I don’t think we felt confident enough to try one of our own songs in case it dampened the crowd’s mood - may be next time.
It was a great feeling performing on stage with my friends and it was made all the better when the crowd chanted for a second encore. We nailed it with a Red Hot Chilli Peppers track to finish and took a real showbiz bow before leaving the stage. Luis was waiting to greet us with high fives all round and a cool glass of Pepsi.
‘Well done, you sounded awesome,’ Luis said probably wishing he’d charged the college a little more for our performance.
Molly wondered how Mitch was getting on guarding the Dodge so we all went out to check. Josh led the way as he was keen to see if the van was OK as this had been parked next to the Dodge. In our hurry we forgot to get changed out of the stage costumes and Mitch was very gracious by not mentioning it when he saw us approaching.
Because the van was also fitted with an alarm, it was highly unlikely anyone would try to steal it, well, that was the theory any way. We split into pairs to resume our patrol duties while the concert continued. Josh and Brandon positioned themselves over at the far edge of the main car park to observe while Mitch took a short break. Everything seemed very calm but, just as Mitch was returning, a vehicle alarm suddenly went off. Josh recognised this immediately as the van.
‘NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOT THE VAN,’ Josh screamed as he started to run back across the car park. The van was his pride and joy, stealing it was really going to tick him off big time, but it was too late. Josh had to watch in horror as the thieves sped off in the van with rubber burning from the rear tyres. It was like a scene from the Hulk and making Josh mad was a big mistake. He was about to give chase on foot, but Mitch stopped him.
‘HERE TAKE THESE JOSH,’ Mitch shouted as he tossed Josh the keys for the Dodge.
Josh looked at him for a split second as if to say ‘Are you sure boss?’
‘GO GO GO,’
said Mitch as he sprinted off down the hill to give chase, hoping to head the carjackers off at the front gate.
Luis all of a sudden remembered something important as he stood watching the scene unfold.
‘The weapons are still in the van and what if the thieves find them, there could be all kinds of trouble,’ he said.
‘Not all of them,’ said Molly as she pulled back her jacket to reveal the departments standard issue Glock 17 revolver hanging from her sling holster.
I had to laugh because we’d all thought of the same thing holding our weapons at the ready and thank God Mitch wasn’t here to see. I did feel however, that it was an absolute necessity to carry a firearm at this moment, which would overrule his directive.
Josh pulled up alongside us in the Dodge and said, ‘Quick get in.’
Molly, Jordan and I dived in head first through the two side windows. Unfortunately, there was no room for the others.
‘You go, we’ll find some way to catch up!’ Luis shouted as he waved us off to go chase the thieves.
The Dodge screeched away with both my legs still hanging out of the side window, only slightly less embarrassing than the fact that my head was resting in Jordan’s lap.
‘Head for the front gates,’ Mitch gestured to Josh as he continued to run down the grassy hill.
Josh hit the accelerator as we clung to the seats or the door in my case. We managed to close the gap between us and the van, but it would be impossible to get to the gates ahead of them without damaging one of the vehicles. The main gates were closed as Mitch had requested and he was standing defiantly in front of them with revolver in one hand, police badge in the other. Josh looked the most nervous as Mitch stood his ground and the van careered towards him. Nothing was stopping these guys.
‘WHAT THE HELL IS MITCH TRYING TO DO?’ Molly shouted as she watched in horror.
Mitch wasn’t able to get a clear shot off at the van for fear of hitting the students who were sitting on the grass verge beside the road. He also knew that Josh would kill him if he put a scratch on the van. All Mitch could do was to close his eyes and pray. It was pretty obvious to us that the van wasn’t stopping for anyone even an officer of the law, Josh also started to pray.
‘GET OUT OF THE WAY MITCH,’ Molly screamed as she waved frantically from the window, but Mitch wouldn’t budge.
Thankfully one of the campus security guards took the initiative and rugby tackled Mitch off the road to safety, while the other guard opened the gates to let the speeding van pass. We were all relieved and Josh hit the brakes to stop for Mitch.
‘Damn, that van can move,’ said Mitch as he picked himself up, shook the guards hand for saving him and jumped in the front passenger seat next to Josh.
‘Well what are you waiting for Josh, we’ve got thieves to catch!’ Mitch said as he pointed forward.
You had to admire Mitch for his Captain American bravery, although he was a little crazy. Molly brought him back down to earth by thumping Mitch hard on the arm as punishment for being so reckless.
‘Ouch, what was that for Molly?’ said Mitch as he rubbed his arm.
‘You know darn well what that was for Dad,’ Molly replied.
Josh hit the accelerator to the floor and we were off like a rocket.
‘I have a question, why take the van when there’s a very attractive Dodge Challenger parked right next to it?’ Josh quizzed.
‘These guys must be stealing to order Josh and it’s just unfortunate the van was on their shopping list for today, it’s nothing personal,’ Mitch replied.
‘It is to me,’ said Josh as he gripped the steering wheel tightly.
I’d managed to right myself in the back seat and regain some of my dignity, although Jordan was still giving me one of her disapproving looks.
‘It was an accident, I promise,’ I said defending myself while she just huffed.
Mitch said he’d seen two thieves in the van and both were wearing racing helmets like before, so it had to be the same gang.
‘Stay close, but not too close Josh otherwise we might scare them off,’ said Mitch.
Josh eased back on the accelerator.
‘We can follow the van using the tracking device,’ said Mitch as he leant into the glove box to get out the tracking monitor.
‘Hang on a second. You had a tracking device fitted to the van? Why?’ Josh asked.
Mitch was put on the spot.
‘Just as a precaution in case any of you decided to skip the country and because the van is such an expensive department asset,’ Mitch explained, although I’m sure he was more concerned about our escape than the value of the van.
‘Now there’s a thought,’ said Josh as he pondered the escape options.
‘Don’t even think about,’ Mitch warned.
Mitch turned the tracking monitor on and it picked up a good signal from the van.
‘We can ease back a little more Josh,’ said Mitch as he checked the van’s direction on the monitor.
Josh dropped back to three hundred yards behind a line of cars, hopefully fooling the thieves into thinking they’d lost us. Meanwhile back at the college Brandon and Luis were trying to figure out a way to join in the fun. Brandon clicked his fingers as he thought of something.
‘I know, I’ll get the dirt bike and follow while you wait here and call the local PD for assistance Luis,’ said Brandon.
‘Perfect,’ Luis said as he dialled 9 1 1.
Brandon ran back to the concert venue, unchained the bike from the railings, started her up and drove back to Luis.
‘Do you want a lift or are you OK waiting?’ Brandon asked, but Luis preferred to wait.
‘You go ahead and be careful Brandon,’ said Luis waving him away.
As Brandon headed for the main gates he dialled Molly on his Blackberry while driving with no hands, the crazy fool. Molly gave directions and described some of the landmarks they were passing on the highway so he could get his bearings. He could also track their progress via the Google map on his phone. It should only take Brandon a few minutes to catch up.
‘Damn that was quick,’ I said out loud as Brandon drove up alongside the Dodge and waved at us.
Mitch thought it best to communicate with Brandon by shouting instructions out of the car window for now and that way he could keep both hands on the handle bars. Brandon nodded as Molly shouted to him. ‘Stay close to us, we’re tracking the van on the monitor.’ He looked just as shocked as we’d been at hearing the van was fitted with a tracking device.
‘Get over it,’ said Mitch as he continued to watch the tracking monitor.
Mitch gave directions to Josh as we headed east. By now the pursuit had gone on for over thirty minutes. Surely the thieves would reach their destination soon.