The weekend proved a long and pleasant one for Mike Montaine. Of course he went out on patrols, but other than that, lounged around the apartment. He did a few sketches, practiced playing his guitar, and had a rare chance to read a little, but he found he could never totally relax. Jeanie became frustrated when she couldn't get him to 'just lie down' after his adventures. At last Monday morning came, and it seemed activities would never stop as everyone rushed around the large trucks packing things inside, and readying the jeeps to do so. Mike was terribly disappointed to hear Jeanie would be staying behind to mind the lab.
"Be very careful of hijackers," she warned, at the rear door, "I've heard there's plenty of them along your planned route. There was a robbery up north of here just last week!"
"Don't worry, I'll be keepin' a lookout. We'll come back safe and sound!" Mike promised, and held her in a warm embrace. Dr. Cooper nervously broke the silence.
"Thanks for taking over, Jeanie. I'll be counting on you to keep these techs in line and working until I get back."
"You won't have to worry, Dr. Cooper, I'll keep them going, and, in perfect working order!"
Mike gave her a disgusted look, then winked, as he turned and walked to Cooper's truck which was at the head of the convoy. It was a cloudy but warm day and Mike was glad to finally be heading out. He rode in the cab with Cooper and the driver for a while, then at one of the rest stops, as they sat waiting for the driver to return from the little store there, he asked permission to ride the rest of the way in the back. With the canvas covering he would be kept fairly cool there, and the rear flap would conceal him if a disappearing act was necessary to leave on a patrol. Cooper agreed, wholeheartedly.
"But before you go anywhere, and get involved in too much excitement, remember that you have to be back in about forty five minutes for the next rest stop!" the supervisor told him.
"If you'll excuse me," Mike put in as the driver came over and climbed back into his seat, "I think I'll go take a nap in the back of this baby." He faked a gigantic yawn, and stretched. "See you guys later!"
Hopping up he found a comfortable place to relax among huge boxes, until they were on the move again, then he changed and was gone so fast no one saw him flying westward. He'd made quite a few rescues, and was right in the middle of catching a woman in a skimpy dress as she jumped off a bridge, when the feeling that something disastrous was to happen to Dr. Cooper very soon overwhelmed him.