Prisoner Transport (closed)

(closed for CLG)

"Why the fuck do I always get the shit assignments?"

US Marshal, Melinda Martin slumped back in the chair she was sitting in. Her boss just looked at her and sighed as he shook his head. "Do you really want me to answer that?" He asked before taking a sip of his coffee. "Listen, Melinda, we both know why you're getting this assignment. You're still under investigation by internal affairs and until they complete it, you're on light duty. I had to pull a lot of strings just keep you on, got that?"

"Yes sir.." she replied as she looked at the folder with her assignment. "But prisoner transfer, really? Wouldn't it be easier to just have stayed behind a desk all day so IA can keep an eye on me like usual?"

"Perhaps," Marshal William Lodge, "But then again, everyone else is on assignment and since this transfer is a 'shit job' we thought of you." He face was dead serious.

Melinda couldn't help but smile, "It's not like I have a choice right?" She sighed as she pulled out the picture of prisoner Joshua Knox. He was involved in crimes since he was a teen and the older he got, the more serious his crimes got too.

The job was simple, transfer him from Virginia to Washington State. But because of his crime affiliations, the transfer was to be kept low key and done as quickly as possible but yet that still meant slowly. Because travelling low key usually meant driving. Driving from one part of the coast to the other was not Melinda's idea of a shitty assignment, it was just plain fucked up.

"He is expected in Seattle in no less than 7 days Melinda. You know the proceedure. Make sure he gets there. That's it. Simple. Now get out." William went back to his paperwork and Melinda knew better than try to ask him anything else.

At a very young age, Melinda knew she wanted to be in law enforcement. She joined the local police force as soon as she graduated high school. She also graduated from the police academy as one of the top female officers. After a few years on the force, she wanted more. So then she became a US Marshal. Now because of what happened just a little over 2 months ago, she was practically demoted to prisoner transfer....

"Fucking great.." she said under breath as she left her boss' office.

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Joshua Knox wasn’t even his real name. And that fact made him laugh, as the federal government had somehow taken this phony identity he made almost as a joke and come up with an entire background and history for him. Sure they knew his real name and other identities, but somewhere in the vast virtual warehouses of digital data was a picture with the name “Joshua Knox” attached to it, and that made it real.

He had to admit it wasn’t doing him much good now, being in federal custody. If his fortunes didn’t change soon, he would soon be known as a number, an inmate in a federal prison. In Washington State, no less. But Joshua wasn’t the type of man who just let things happen to him. He saw his opportunities and he made the most of them. And whoever got in his way would have to manage their own consequences.

The latest human obstacle appeared to be this Marshal bitch. Martin, her name was. Whatever. Josh didn’t pay attention to social issues such as women doing traditional male jobs. Josh’s job was to avoid the heat, no matter what shape or form it came in. He also didn’t pay much attention to things like economic indicators or political influences, or federal law enforcement budgets…Unless they affected him directly. And Joshua seemed to be in a place and time where these forces were acting in his favor.

He was sure the feds had a good reason to put only one Marshal on his transport duty. And he also knew they had a good lie as to why he was being driven across the county and not flown. These situations were unusual when they were presented individually, but when they came in bunches, well Josh didn’t believe in coincidences. A week, 10 days, whatever it took to get from Virginia to Washington State would allow him two things: a chance to escape, and a constant reminder to keep his eyes open.

As Marshal Martin came into view, showing up to sign him out, Josh thanked the forces of nature. He had no choice but to be stuck in a federal vehicle with this person for the next week or so. Thank God she was hot at least. Thoughts of this babe in a motel room somewhere in Ohio….then again in Kansas or Nebraska….then again in maybe Idaho….hell yea, could be worse!

“Well, hello pretty US Marshall Lady! Come to take me on my magic carpet ride?” Josh laughed and flashed a smile that contradicted his current position, shackled to a bench, hands cuffed together and ankles chained to the floor. She didn’t look half bad, ignoring him as she signed him out.

Something about this assignment didn't feel right. Melinda could feel it in her bones as she walked into the holding area to pick up the 'package'.

Perhaps it was just because of how the week was going. Or perhaps it was because she hadn't gotten a lot of sleep this week...

Whatever the hell it was, she hated it.

Earlier this morning she had gone over the file of Josh Knox. He didn't look like a Josh...perhaps it was because she didn't know him, and wasn't the arresting officer...what ever the case was, she would be glad to get it all over with in the end.

Walking up to the counter, Melinda said her hellos to those behind the desk when she heard someone from behind her calling out to her in a taunting voice.

"Well, hello pretty US Marshall Lady! Come to take me on my magic carpet ride?”

Melinda ignored him as she signed out for the prisoner and a vehicle for the long ride across country. Once it was all in order, she went to Knox's cell with a guard, who opened it up for her, "Let's go." she said, looking at him, hopefully giving him the look saying that she wasn't going to put up with his shit.

Once the vehicle was pulled around, Melinda guided Knox to the back, shackled him in and made sure that was locked before shutting the door. Coming around to the driver's side, she got in, filled out a form on clipboard before taking off.

This was going to be a long drive.