"I’ll tell you later. I need to get to the track for practice. I need to make sure the car is ready for tomorrow’s race."

"I’ll walk with you to the pits."

Frank moved to the back of the trailer so he was out of sight. He heard the door open, then close. After a moment, Frank looked around the corner and realized the two men were gone. He figured it was time he talked to Joe.

Just as he approached the garage, he saw the car was being pushed toward the track. Frank easily spotted his brother following the crew and car.

Frank hurried toward Joe who said, "You’re just in time. Jeremy is going out on the track for practice."

"Just Jeremy?" Frank asked.

"All drivers. This is the last practice before tomorrow’s race."

Frank realized Joe was staring at him.

"Are you all right?" Joe asked. "Do you have something on your mind?"

"I do, but I’ll explain it to you after practice." Frank had an uneasy feeling. He knew he had to be alert since he felt something was going to happen during practice.

The two of them followed the crew and stood by Damon in the pits. Damon climbed up to the seats in the pit box and motioned for Frank and Joe to join him.

"You can see the whole track from up here," Damon said.

Frank and Joe climbed up and realized Damon was right. Michael joined them holding a clipboard, stopwatch and radio.

They watched the cars go out on the track. They easily spotted Jeremy’s car and watched as the first lap was used to get up to speed.

As Frank watched Jeremy, he looked at the other cars wishing to find out who the other person was and get the lead they were looking for.

When practice finished an hour later, the cars returned to the garage for final adjustments. Frank and Joe followed the others with Frank keeping his eyes out for the brown-haired man. As he walked with his brother, Frank filled Joe in on what he overheard.

"There is something going on," Frank said. "And I have a feeling those two are involved."

"I wonder who they are," Joe said.

"The one sounded like a manager. The other could be a driver. They were in a trailer with a license plate ‘Road Warrior’."

"That’s David Allin," a voice said.

The two of them turned to see Seth standing there. "Sorry," Seth said. "I overheard what you were saying."

"Who is David Allin?" Frank asked.

"He drove for this team for the first race of the season last year," Seth explained. "Damon didn’t like the way David drove, so he released him. Within days, David was with another team and Jeremy was our driver."

"Is David that bad of a driver?" Joe asked.

"He’s an okay driver, he’s just not a team player."

Seth’s name was called from the garage and he headed inside.

Joe looked at Frank. "You know, David may have a grudge against the team."

"It sounds like it," Frank agreed. "But the other man sounded just as untrustworthy."

"So, what do we do?"

"We keep our eyes open. Something is going to happen."

"And it’s not going to be good," Joe concluded.

* * * * *

A while later, Frank and Joe were waiting at the garage. Seth and the crew were working on the final adjustments before they decided to call it a night and go out to dinner. A brown-haired man entered the garage and moved over to Jeremy. He said, "We need to talk."

Frank immediately recognized the voice as the one in Damon’s trailer and the one he had overheard at the other trailer.

"About what?" Jeremy asked.

"It’s important."

"I don’t have the time right now. We need to get the car ready for tomorrow."

"You’ll make time." The man grabbed Jeremy by the arm and led him out of the garage.

Frank glanced at Joe. "Stay put."

Frank followed them out of the garage and saw they were walking a bit away from the area. Staying in the shadows, he followed them toward the trailers. He made his way next to a trailer they stopped by and waited.

"What has gotten into you?" the man asked.

"What are you talking about?" Jeremy asked.

Frank wished he could see their faces.

"You are in deep water. It’s a good possibility you will lose your ride at the end of the season."

"What?" Jeremy asked.

"I’ve tried talking to Damon, but he doesn’t like your attitude. You’re not winning and Damon wants a driver who does."

"I am winning."

"You’re not," the man snapped.

"He can’t do this to me. He won’t get away with it."

"Calm down, Jeremy. There is one way to prove to Damon that he’s making the wrong decision."

"And how’s that?"

"By winning tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

"If you win, Damon will know you are the driver that should be behind the wheel."

Jeremy sighed. "Then I’ll have to win."

"And you will also need to control your temper."

"I will. No one is going to stop me from winning."

"Just remember the goal we are trying to reach."

"All right," Jeremy said and headed back to the garage.

Frank made his way around the corner and saw the man heading in the opposite direction. He didn’t waste a moment and followed him knowing something was going on.

* * * * *

Back in the garage, Joe was waiting for Frank to return. Seth was working with the crew and Joe was watching them intently. He could see that a lot of hard work was involved with the car.

Joe glanced back at his watch. He knew a lot of time passed and wondered if his brother was okay. As he was about to exit the garage to look for Frank, Jeremy returned to the garage.

Jeremy moved to the car and asked, "What can I do to help?"

The crew stopped working and looked at him. The crew appeared to be stunned.

Seth broke the silence. "I think we’re pretty much set. The car is ready for the race."

"Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?" Jeremy asked.

"We’re all set," Michael said. "Why don’t you relax? Tomorrow is going to be a big day."

"If you’re sure?" Jeremy asked.

"We’re sure," Michael said.

"All right. I guess I’ll see you all in the morning." Jeremy left the garage.

Joe watched Jeremy leave and wondered what changed him. Joe could see the crew was as shocked as him. The crew finished up and Set moved to Joe.

"Where did Frank go?"

"For a walk."

"Are we still going to eat?"

"We should. Frank will catch up with us later." Joe knew that if Frank was following a lead, he wouldn’t stop until he needed to.

"All right," Seth said. "I’ll get cleaned up and then we can go."

"Fine," Joe said.

As Seth went to get cleaned up, Joe moved closer to the car. He smiled wishing for the opportunity to drive. He knew it would be a great experience.

Footsteps alerted Joe that someone was coming and he turned to see who it was. Jeremy entered the garage and stopped quickly when he saw Joe.

"What are you doing?" Jeremy asked.

"Just looking at the car."

Jeremy moved toward him and the car. "Do you want to become a driver?"

"Not really," Joe admitted. "But I would like to race at least once."

"There is a thrill to it."

"Why did you get into driving?" Joe asked as he admired the car.

"I enjoy fast cars. I was always racing something while I was growing up. Cars seemed like the natural progression."

"How did you hook up with the team?"

"Damon saw me driving in a local race and approached me. Then I started driving."

"Are you ready Joe?"

Joe turned and saw Seth standing there. "I am." He looked at Jeremy. "We’ll see you later."

"Bye." Jeremy left the garage.

Seth moved over to Joe. "What did Jeremy want?"

"Just to talk."

"I would love to know what has gotten into him. He has been acting so weird tonight."

"It’s possible he’s trying to turn over a new leaf."

"I doubt it," Seth said and switched subjects. "So, are you ready to get out of here?"

"I am."

"Then let’s go."

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Frank was still following the brown-haired man. They had left the area where the garages and trailers were located. The left the track all together.

Frank wondered where the man was going as they moved at a steady pace. They made their way toward a motel and to the back of the building. The man moved to a room and went inside.

Frank moved to the room, crouched down and put his ear to the door hoping to hear something inside. The room was quiet.

Why a motel? Frank thought. It’s possible some of the people involved with the race are staying here.