Ceres: In the Shadow of the Valley of Death

Disclaimer: I don't own Cars.

A/N: set a couple months (2-3) after Ceres: Grand Prix

Chapter One

Finn drove into CHROME Britain, the familiar inconspicuous grey building, right to the office of the new chief, a light green car that almost looked like a racer. The new nameplate read 'Damien deAngelo'. The car rushed around the desk. "Ah, Finn McMissile," he said with a laugh, shaking tires with the Aston Martin. "You're the CHROME hero. Why didn't you take this job?"

"I love field work," Finn replied. "Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

deAngelo chuckled. "How was your latest mission?"

Finn looked around as if searching for the right word. Finally, he said, "Informative."

"Aren't they all?" Both cars chuckled. "How's your partner, Miss Shiftwell?"

"Doing well, thank you. She's on her way to Radiator Springs to see a boyfriend right now."

"Oh, good. Is he treating her right?"

"He had better be."

Again, both cars laughed. "I wouldn't want to be on the other end of one of your guns, that's for sure. Now," deAngelo asked, "how may I be of assistance?"

"Actually, you summoned me."

"Ah, yes, I remember now. Our friend from the Allinol Scandal, Sir Miles, would like to speak with you."

"What about?"

"He wouldn't say, but he said it was absolutely urgent. Come with me."

Finn followed deAngelo out of the office, then out into the street, down a block or two, and finally to a building that looked as inconspicuous as the CHROME Britain building. deAngelo entered a code and led Finn into the building. After a few words with some guards, the two cars were escorted down a corridor to a small cell in the back of the building. The guards opened the cell door, and deAngelo gestured for Finn to enter, which the Aston Martin did reluctantly. "Sir Miles?" he asked once he entered.

"I don't think I'm worty of such a title anymore," the Land Rover said, rolling forward out of the shadows of the cell.

Finn glanced over his fender at the cell door, which was flanked by four guards, two on each side. deAngelo was nowhere to be seen from his vantage point. He looked back at Axlerod. "You wanted to see me?"

"It's been brought to my attention that you're close to the Montgomery case."

"What about it?"

"I have a very interesting development for you."

"Before we go any further, what do you hope to gain through this?"

"Prison has a way of making you think about your actions, because you really have nothing better to do and a lot of time to do it in." Finn's eyes roamed the far wall, which was lined in newspaper clippings regarding the Allinol case. "I know every detail of my crime, every last detail," Axlerod said, looking at the newspaper clippings.

"Tell me about this development of yours," Finn whispered.

"Montgomery's planning an excape."

"This is why I felt an arrest would be too light, but did anyone listen to me? No," Finn muttered through gritted teeth. More loudly, he said, "In that case, I'll need your help."

Axlerod turned to face the Aston Martin. "You...need my help?"

Finn nodded. "It's nothing too challenging, at least I hope. All I need you to do is watch Montgomery and tell me exactly what he does and says each day."

"Oh, that's not too bad."

"Be as surreptitious as possible. He didn't get to be spy chief for nothing."

"Right."

"And please, do be careful. I never like to see an informant's hood on a platter."

"Be careful, be sneaky, find out as much as I can. Right-o."

"Excellent."

Finn turned to leave, and Axlerod said, "Thanks."

The Aston Martin half-turned, replied, "You're welcome," with a smile, and drove out of the cell.

"How did it go?" deAngelo asked as he fell in beside Finn farther down the corridor.

"Quite well, considering."

"What did he have to tell you that was so urgent?"

"Montgomery's getting antsy with prison life. His axles are made for driving." deAngelo nodded. "I'm depending on Sir Miles' help to gain more information on Montgomery's plan."

"So you hope I can guarantee Sir Miles' protection."

"Not guarantee, per se. More like I hope you can increase his assurance of his own safety. Some of the inmates here are very dangerous, even moreso than the heads of the Four Families."

"Being an informant is the easiest job in this line of work by far," deAngelo said with a nod as he and Finn drove into the jailhouse waiting room. "Don't worry, Finn. Your jailbird informant is in good tires."

"Thank you, deAngelo." The two cars shook tires and drove out of the jailhouse and down the block to the CHROME Britain building.