Chapter 3

Fitzgerald’s partner Douglas stayed quiet. He rolled his eyes to the sky and sipped from a straw stuck inside the massive soda cup.

“You guys just starting?” Michael asked, already knowing the answer. On a small force, everyone knew when everyone else worked.

“Yup,” Fitzgerald answered. “You know Douglas needs his sugar fix or he’ll be whining in an hour.”

“We all got our vices,” Douglas snapped. “Isn’t that right, Carmac?”

Michael winced but didn’t give in. “You boys stay safe,” he said and hurried past.

They said something in reply, but Michael ignored them.

Fuck, don’t let there be anyone else I know, he thought as he entered the store. Thankfully, it was empty.

He didn’t even know what he was looking for. He scanned the refrigerator shelves and decided on water.

Michael paid and lucked out again as the kid behind the counter was new. Outside, the parking lot was filling up with people getting gas and Michael dodged between cars and got into his truck.