Page 70 of False Start

Kit bit her bottom lip, mulling over the question.

“You want to sell the car?” I whispered under my breath.

“We could get a plane ticket home.” She shrugged. “It’s for sale. I’m not really sure anyone is interested, but yeah, I think I’ve had enough of the Cougar for one lifetime.”

“We can list it, you know?” Ashley paused the video with a swipe. “Just let me know and I’ll put it on our socials. Team Hasbro and Christine’s Revenge already have offers in place.”

Kit nodded with a tight smile. “Sure. I’ll let you know.”

Ashley restarted the recording. “And which upcoming stop are you looking forward to?”

“Comedy bus,” I answered quickly. “That’s tonight, right?”

Without our guidebook, I couldn’t be sure.

“Comedy bus?” Kit wrinkled her nose. “When?”

“The bus takes off at nine, and it’s a two-hour tour around Birmingham,” Ashley said. “So, tonight’s check-in is at 11 pm. But if you decide to skip that stop, Tom will be at the bar. I’m guessing you’re not as excited for the comedy bus, Kit?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t know about it, and I’m certainly not excited. Trent has been taking care of finding the stops, so I’m just as surprised as anybody when we pull up.”

“So, you’re not looking forward to anything in particular?”

“A walk across the solar system, I guess.” Kit waved to the giant statue of a sun off to her right.

Ashley nodded, the hint taken. “Well, I think that’s all I have for questions. We’ll catch up with you both tonight.”

I thumbed through our new guidebook, empty of all the notes I’d written about upcoming stops. Hopefully, I could delve into my browsing history and find them easily enough.

“So, what’s this about a comedy bus?” Kit asked, peeking at the book over my shoulder.

I’d had the number for the tour company scribbled in the margin of the day four page, but the website didn’t allow online sales, and I hadn’t called. A quick search for “Birmingham Comedy Tour” pulled up the company. Kit took the guidebook while I dialed the number.

“Great Views Birmingham. This is John. How can I help you?” A chipper voice answered the phone.

“Hey, John,” I said, cupping the phone against the breeze. “I’d like two tickets for the comedy tour tonight.”

He sucked in a breath. “Oh, bad news. We’re actually sold out tonight. Can I get you tickets for tomorrow?”

“Afraid not,” I groaned inwardly. “We’re only in town for the night. You sure you don’t have a couple of tickets?”

“Nope. I can get you on the ghost tour, though.”

In any other town, a ghost tour might get us some extra points, but the comedy tour was on the list. Tom wouldn’t reward us for not buying tickets ahead of time. “That won’t work either.”

John hummed on the other end of the line. “Maybe show up and see if someone bails? It’s a long shot, but it happens. There’s a country bar just across the street if you don’t end up on the bus.”

“Thanks, man.” I hung up the phone, wiping away the frown on my face before facing Kit.

“We good?” She leaned against the hood of the car, the door open but not inside yet.

“We’re on standby,” I lied.

She studied my face, the corner of her lips dipping down before she climbed into the car. I slid into the passenger seat, glad she hadn’t pressed.

“Where are we going next?” She cranked up the car, face falling slightly at a light rattling from the engine. She shook her head, dismissing the noise.

I consulted the book. “A muffler man, a mystery spot, and a giant loom.”

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