"We can't trust the authorities. They're as corrupt as the Deep State."

"Stop stating the obvious," Vince grabbed his coat. "Let's go. Daylight's burning."

Deedee, Raymond, Evelyn, and Vince grabbed their coats and headed for Raymond's SUV. The CEO shrouded his face from recognition software by pulling up the hood of an old beat-up black jacket that he had borrowed from Vince and slid into the back of the Tesla. When Evelyn piled into the seat next to him, her fresh lavender scent physically caressed his senses. She had taken the time to freshen up her makeup and pull her tousled hair up into a high ponytail. He could see the downy hairs on the nape of her neck. The exquisite angles of her triangular face, with its high cheekbones and pointed chin, made her a beautiful woman. Their thighs nestled together and he inwardly groaned.

Deedee hesitated and then turned on her heel. "Wait a minute—I'll be right back." Leaving the driver's side falcon wing door extended, she returned to the shelter.

"Why'd she go back inside?" Evelyn asked Vincent. She leaned in front of Raymond and looked at the shelter entrance. "I think we should get Ray out of here as fast as possible." Sinclair's heart leapt as her breast brushed his chest.

The rugged cook shrugged his shoulders. "Dunno. Whatever it is, it must be important. I trust Lady Dee's judgement."

The Drag Queen returned a minute later. She was wearing a Kill Bill leather jacket and carrying three clear glass bottles and a gas container. "This vehicle doesn't use gas; it's electric," Ray informed her.

Deedee ignored him and placed the items by Vince's feet on the passenger side. "Just in case things go sideways, you know the drill." He nodded, positioning the gas container so it wouldn't spill. She slid into the driver's seat. "Now, where to?" She demanded.

Vincent pointed to the highway. "Take the connector out to Interstate 89 and head north."

She pulled out of the parking space, keeping pace with the traffic. A minute later, her phone, stuck to the Tesla's magnetic dashboard mount, buzzed. Deedee checked the incoming call. "It's Prince." She tapped the accept call icon. "Hey, babe. What's up?"

"Don't freak out, Lady Dee, but I've got bad news. That dirty hippie escaped from the pantry. He used a butter knife to carve his way out."

"Why the heck d'you give him cutlery?"

"Everyone knows butter knives aren't good for cutting anything—they barely slice through butter."

"Damn, I should've had you shove a few spring rolls under the door with a plastic fork. Didn't know that asshole agent had beaver in 'im. Ok, thanks for the heads up, kid." She disconnected the call.

Above the Tesla, they all heard the unmistakable thumping sound of an approaching BLACK HAWK heli.

"Oh shit." Raymond looked through the tinted windows, tracking the sound. "We've got company."

"You can say that again." Vincent stared apprehensively at the copter bearing down on them. The mechanical whine grew louder.

"Ok, baby," Deedee murmured, "show Momma Dee what you can do." She stroked the Tesla's dash as if it was a high strung octane-fueled lover as she eased the SUV out of the flow of traffic and pressed the accelerator to the floor with her lemonade peep-toe ankle boot.

"Hold on!" She yelled. A gut-punching acceleration slammed everyone back into their seats as the Tesla topped out at one hundred and sixty-two mph. Evelyn grabbed the door handle as all four tires scrabbled for grip. "This baby flies like The Millenium Falcon," Deedee swooned.

"She sounds like she's having an orgasm," Raymond gasped.

"I'm having one too," cried Vincent. "Oh, shit. Don't miss the off ramp, Dee."

Evelyn clenched her thighs together and prayed not to wet her pants.

The Tesla hit the curb and became airborne and bounced Deedee's head off the steering column. The car slammed back down on the pavement. Seeing that she was dazed, Vince steered for her. "I'm all right," she said woozily as the vehicle reclaimed asphalt. The chopper had fallen back in the distance, but up ahead, red lights flashed and they heard approaching sirens. 

"Turn on the autopilot," Raymond screamed. Leaning forward, he reached between the front seats and tried to activate the Tesla's self-driving feature.

"I don't need no damn auto pilot." Deedee slapped his hand away from the controls. Leaning forward, she grabbed the bottles from between Vincent's feet.

"What are you doing?" Evelyn yelled.

"Everyone stay calm and start making Molotov cocktails." Vincent nodded and pulled the stopper off the plastic gasoline container.