Jane frowned as she considered the woman's answer. It seemed legit enough; there was camo-clad soldiers and government types clogging every intersection, highway and byway nowadays so it gave a certain credence to her story. Moreover, not only was it clear the redhead was travel-worn and weary, she wasn't exactly wrong about the cop having other places to be. Jane wasn't one to simply take someone's word at face value but knowing her gut was her greatest asset, Jane listened to it. She turned from the woman, throwing her words over her shoulder as she approached her trusty bike.
"It is hot as balls out here," Jane agreed, picking up the helmet she hung on the handlebars of her Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 SuperLow in one hand and a tepid water bottle she kept in roll bag in the other. "And the closest registration center is on Pequeno Street, about a 30 minute hike from here if you keep heading down this main drag here."
She held out the water bottle. "If you want to walk, I'll leave you to it. I know that sometimes a woman has to go her own way. Just remember what I told you and for God's sake, be careful. You don't want to be caught out in the open when it turns dark. Or," she said, holding out the helmet. "I can give you a ride. You won't get a better offer all the way out here in East Bumblefuck but it's totally up to you. Ain't no skin off my ass either way."
Jane knew she shouldn't leave a woman new to the area out on her own to fend for herself but something told her that if the stranger didn't take her up on the offer for a ride she'd be okay. She'd made it all the way to Austin from somewhere, she'd survive a trek to the registration depot.