Page 5 of Shifting Gears

I’m just fucking with you. Chill, man. Lucky for you, I gotta drop off some shit near there in about fifteen, so I’ll make a quick detour and look in. What’s this chick look like?

AJ

Brown hair and blue eyes.

Billy Crystal

All right, I’ll let you know.

AJ

And one more thing. Don’t mention my name if you stop and talk to anyone.

Billy Crystal

Don’t worry about it, man. I got you.

I locked my phone and slipped it into my pocket. I didn’t always like how Billy acted like he was chill one moment, then king of the block the next, but I respected him enough to know if he said he was going to do it, he would.

In the meantime, it was showtime. I watched as a Nissan Silvia rolled into the parking garage—one of the two cars we were missing for Kayden. I had to make sure the model matched, but if it did, I was about to come out of retirement.

I went up the stairwell a couple of more floors until I saw the Silvia pull in, waiting one floor above the level it was idling on. I’d go down the actual driving ramp, giving the driver time to leave without the chance of passing them. When I reached the row, I saw the car parked, and no one was there. I strolled overto it and did a fast once-over. It was in perfect condition, body-wise, and I was in luck—the model matched.

I stood next to the driver’s side and slipped the slim jim out of my pocket. Wedging it around the window seal, I slid it down and popped the lock. I quickly pulled it out, opened the door, and sat down. I pushed the seat back and felt around for the wires to jump-start it.

After a few sparks, the engine roared to life. I gripped the shifter and put the car into reverse. I backed out of the space before shifting into first and driving down through the parking garage to the entrance. I drove onto the streets of Japan, and carefully made my way toward the docks. Driving on the left side of the road wasn’t something I was used to, but it was easy enough to adjust for.

This is going smoother than I expected it would go.

I thought I was gonna be free and clear with my first Japan boost until I had to stop at a stoplight. In the corner of my eye, I caught a cop standing next to his car, chatting with a pedestrian. He looked over at me, and his smile turned into a frown. He approached my window and motioned for me to roll it down.

Fuck, do I run? I don’t know the streets around here that good yet. Chances are, I’d go down some dead-end alleyway and have to ditch the car. Better to play it cool.

I rolled down the window and nodded.

“Seat belt,” the officer said, pointing at my chest.

I glanced at it and then back at him. “My bad. Thanks.”

He nodded as I buckled it. Then he went back to his vehicle and resumed his conversation. The light turned green, and I didn’t wait around for him to ask any more questions. I took off through the city, picking up speed as traffic cleared. The scenery changed as the skyscrapers and multiple stories faded into the background and the ocean got closer. The salty air flowed around the car as I placed my elbow on the doorframe. I’d turnon the radio, but it was just going to be a bunch of bullshit in Japanese, so why bother?

Finally, I was cruising down into the shipping docks. I drove the Silvia into the lot, parking it toward the back behind a truck so it wouldn’t be in direct sight when I told Ken about it. Thank fuck it was a stock color and nothing like what the street racers back home did to their paint jobs. No one would ever suspect it from an initial glance. Still, I didn’t need to take any chances.

I walked into the warehouse, finding Ken eating something in the break room. I tossed him the registration paperwork I had found in the glove box.

“Here. It’s in the back of the lot. Need to fix the starter and get the paperwork changed,” I said as I kept walking toward the stairs.

“Where did you go?” Takumi’s voice called out from behind me.

I stopped. “I heard about a car that fit the listing, so I went and brought it here. Ken’s taking care of it. Now I’m gonna get ready to hit the gym.”

I could hear him grunt in exasperation, but I didn’t give a fuck. I knew the old man wouldn’t get on my case any more than that. The less we dealt with each other, the better.

As I changed into my workout clothes, my phone went off on the counter. I reached over and grabbed it as I finished straightening my fresh hoodie.

Billy Crystal

Passed by and saw the chick. She seemed fine to me. Helped me with some directions to get to the freeway.

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