“Our side, Phil. Earth’s side. Humanity’s side, to be blunt. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Men In Black, but I can tell you it’s not as fictional as you might think.”

Phil looked from me to Patrick, then back. He paused and looked down at the detector in his hand with a thoughtful expression. “Are you familiar with the word Lorann?”

I turned in surprise. “The guy in the suit was Lorann, Phil. The corpse in the freezer was Gen. Seems you do know more than a thing or two. Why is that?”

Phil managed to look slightly embarrassed for a moment, then got his poker face back. “Ah, it’s come up here and there on Reddit groups. I think it’s usually attributed to the ‘shape-changing lizards’ theory. I have to admit, I always thought that one was a bit out there, but after today … ”

I stared at Phil, impressed despite myself. If they’d gotten that right, what else might be getting dismissed as nutbar narrative? I thought for a moment. Phil might have some good information, but I didn’t want to get in the position of giving far more than I got.

“This has all been very interesting, Phil, but it’s time to go,” I said. “Want that ride?”

Phil glared at me, his face still stony. “Thanks, no. I have a car parked up the road. And I don’t know or trust you enough to get into a car with you.” He paused. “I think you boys have stumbled into something that’s over your heads and are just winging it. You might want to reconsider your strategy. I can help. More than you might think.”

I shook my head. “I think we’re going to go with our plan, Mr. Ross. Fewer moving parts.”

“Right. Well, I have a feeling we’ll be talking again.”

“Use the front door next time,” I replied. “We’ve reinforced the walls of the barn.”

Chapter Twenty-Three: Chase

Chapter Twenty-Three: Chase

Day 16. Saturday

We decided to break for lunch. Since we’d had McD for breakfast, everyone wanted something different. So, pizza. We piled into Patrick’s car and headed out to Pizza Hut. It would be a longer drive, since the Hut was at the other end of town, but it would give us a chance to discuss the situation.

We were about halfway to our destination, cutting through the greenbelt area, when Patrick looked in his mirror and said, “Shit!” I turned my head to see a set of flashing red lights.

Nat also turned, squinted, and said, “We’re still within Dunnville city limits, right? That’s not Dunnville cops.”

Patrick looked more closely in the rearview, then switched to the side mirror. “You’re right. Not highway patrol, either.”

Nat chuckled. “And you’d know highway patrol. But I don’t think we have any options. Cops is cops until proven otherwise.”