Bob shuffled forward in the line. The clerk scanned his cargo pants, blue polo shirt, and six pack of socks. “23.33 is your total. Would you like to apply for a Sears card?” Bob looked up. The clerk had long blond hair, and looked fresh out of high school. He stopped himself from staring to long at her eyes and looked in his wallet, then back at her.
“Nope, I don’t have one of those. What are some of the benefits of Sears card…Amber?” Bob squinted as he checked her name tag, as he was enjoying the angle her body was tilting it.
“You can get a discount today, plus it’s good at all Kmart and Sears stores. That way you can come back…more often.” She was smiling and not even checking if anyone else was in line.
“Well, tell you what Amber. I’ve got my eye on that TV in electronics, so next time I’m in, I’ll use it then. I just need some clearance clothes today. I’m helping a friend move, and the rest of my usual clothes for that task were used up when I was painting my friend’s grandmother’s house.”
“Well, the offer stands until the next time, but I’d come back soon if I were you.”
“I think that can be arranged.” Bob took his change and bag, and smiled wide as he headed out the door. At least one skill that he had was still working.
***
Old man B charged through the main door. Mabel was still a wreck, and even with her fractured mental state, she was still amazed that old man B was moving faster. “Where’s that foreign car of yours?”
“Over…over there.” B walked her to her Honda and reached into her purse for the keys. B started unlocking the car, but Mabel suddenly pulled her wits together. “Wait, what are we doing?”
“Getting out of here, that’s what. We need to get my car and ditch this one. Then we’ll get to the bottom of this business.”
“How…how do we do that?”
“Simple, but I’ll tell you later. We need to get out of here before they realize that you’ve gone. The confusion worked in our favor. I’ve had about enough of the cop shop today.” B started the car, then swung the passenger door open. “Are ya comin’ or not?”
***
Eli chugged his Amp, then looked around the backseat of the Crown Victoria. “Do you two have a garbage or something? This backseat is immaculate.”
Lewis turned and looked at him. “Just hold onto it until we get to Sioux Falls.”
Eli shrugged his shoulders and reached into the pocket on his hoodie.
“Don’t move…what are you reaching for?” Garrett’s voice was stern and firm, and he slowed the car as he asked the question.
“My…iPod, or do you want Lewis to get it out for me?”
Lewis turned and watched him. “Slowly please. Garrett is a bit jumpy. This case is very important.”
“Ah yes, your case. The one you won’t tell me much about, yet you think my knowledge of a guy I haven’t talked to on a substantial level in years will help you crack. Helluva case.” Lewis watched him pull out the iPod, then she turned away. Eli put the ear buds in place and hit play. Rilo Kiley kicked in, almost with a song that he had hoped was a coincidence.
“I’ve been had and I’ve been held
with the ghosts at bay
And I’ve been oaked and I’ve been doped
and carried away.”
