So she reluctantly follows.

He still makes sure that she does

She just is forced to follow.

When they got back to the garage, the mechanic was waiting for them, wiping his hands on a rag. "It's the prop shaft," he said cheerfully. "I'm afraid I don't have the right bolts in stock for it, though--looks like three of them went flying when it came loose."

It was almost six o'clock. Alex sighed. "So it won't be today, then."

The man shook his head. "No. Afraid not. I'll make some phone calls tomorrow morning; I might be able to find some at another garage. Otherwise I'll have to order them--that would mean maybe two, three days before they get here.

Two or three days. Perfect. Briefly, Alex wondered about just buying another used car. He couldn't, though; he only had about twenty-five hundred left now from the emergency cash he kept on hand--despite the high wages that the CIA had paid ever since the Invasion, he'd never particularly trusted them--and knew that he needed to save his money. He blew out a breath. "Well, we're sort of stuck here. I mean, we're just passing through--"

"Theres a motel just up the road," said the mechanic. "Sorry. I know its a pain. Check with me tomorrow morning around ten; Ill know by then if I have to order the bolts or not."

She glowers at Alex.

Alex nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay." He glanced at the girl. "Is that all right with you?"

,, No. ,,

"Well, it'll have to be." Alex took his bag from the Mustang's trunk and slung it over his shoulder, then he started walking in the direction the mechanic had told them. It was sunset now, with red and purple streaks billowing across the sky to the west and a welcome breeze stirring at the heavy air. For several minutes, the only sound was their footsteps on the side of the road and passing cars.

Now shes even grouchier.

Finally, to his relief, a GoodRest Motel sign appeared, with its familiar blue-and-white lettering. As they neared it, Alex noticed with apprehension how many cars were in the parking lot; it looked like a used-car convention