Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Wednesday Briefs: The Sheriff #32 (9.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

This week, Jordan is forcing Dustin to help him case the computer store where he works, so he can rob it. Little does he know that Roy is keeping them under surveillance from outside. So why is he inside? Find out in this week's episode of The Sheriff. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

The Sheriff #32 (9.1)

“Hey Denver, how’s it going?” Roy strolled casually into the computer store, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He didn’t know what had prompted him to throw caution to the winds and leave his truck when he was supposed to be keeping an eye on Dustin from the outside. Nothing other than a gut feeling that he needed to make himself visible, despite not being in uniform. Was he really that concerned about Dustin? And if so, why?

“Pretty good,” Denver replied. “Must be my lucky day, both you and Dustin showing up out of the blue.”

“Huh. Small world,” Roy commented before glancing toward Dustin. “Hey Dustin,” he said with a nod. His glance skimmed over Jordan, as if he didn’t matter. “Denver, I need you to show me something, if you would.”

“Sure thing, Roy, what are you looking for? Something for you, or for the job?”

“Me,” Roy said. “Well, both actually. I was just wanting to price a new computer. Step into the twenty-first century.” He realized as soon as he said it that was a dumb thing to say. He just had to hope Denver wouldn’t come out and ask him why the hell he’d come in to Tucker Falls for that when he had Lee and Marshall right there in Burnham, who would put him together a better system than anything most stores sold if he asked them to.

“C’mon then, let’s take a look. We have some nice models down here.” He waved Roy down the nearest aisle.  “Dustin, hang tight, willya? You’re not in a hurry are you?”

Roy turned toward the two men. He couldn’t help but notice the possessive arm Jordan kept about Dustin, and the obvious distaste which Dustin could barely conceal.

“No, I’m good,” Dustin mumbled.

At that moment, the buzzer sounded, admitting another customer, a young woman carrying a laptop case. She walked directly to the front counter, not bothering to glance around. Obviously she knew why she was there.

Denver glanced uncertainly at Roy. “Go on, take care of the young lady. I’ll be fine.”

“Well, if you’re sure. Thanks, Roy.”

“Sure I’m sure. Dustin can help me, if I have any questions. Right, Dustin?”

“Yeah, sure thing, Roy. “

Roy watched Dustin remove Jordan’s arm, as if it were something distasteful to him. He made a beeline for the aisle Denver had indicated, Roy close behind.

“I’ll just look around then,” Jordan volunteered, although no one had asked him, and he sounded a little testy, to Roy.

“What size hard drive were you looking for,” Dustin asked, pitching his voice to be heard all over the store before dropping it and asking, “What the hell are you doing?”

Fair question, but not one Roy could really answer. Not honestly, that is.

“Big enough,” he grunted noncommittally, then dropped his own. “Everything okay?” Which was a question in itself, and not an answer, but it’s what he had.

“Do I look okay?” Dustin fairly hissed. “Now he wants me to go poking around in the backroom, like I’m supposed to take inventory or something.”

Without thinking, Roy laid a calming hand on Dustin’s arm. They stood in a frozen tableau, staring at one another without saying anything. Roy stepped away first, clearing his throat uncomfortably, just as he got an idea. “Do you have anything else?” he asked. “Maybe something you just got in? I want to get the best I can, so I won’t have to do this again for a long time.”

“I can check the inventory,” Denver said. He threw Roy a grateful look, and Roy winked.

“If you don’t mind, thanks. I’ll just wander around while you do. See what else I might need.” Which was nothing, but he wasn’t about to admit to that.

“Yeah, sure, no problem. Shouldn’t take long.” He nodded to Roy before heading toward the back of the store. Moving quickly, Roy took up a vantage point from where he could see Jordan. He couldn’t help but notice Jordan was focused intently on Dustin. Denver was deep in conversation with the customer. Roy thought she was pretty, and Denver seemed interested in everything she had to say.

Jordan turned his head, and their eyes met. Roy thought there was a very cold, calculating look in the other man’s gaze. A shiver drew down his spine. This guy might be more dangerous than he’d figured. All the more reason to get Dustin away from him, and see him safely behind bars.

They stared at one another without speaking. You don’t frighten me, little man.

The moment was broken when Dustin returned from the store room and headed toward Roy without a second look at Jordan. Roy couldn’t but give Jordan a small smile of triumph before he turned his attention completely toward Dustin.

“Nothing new,” Dustin said. “Sorry.”

“That’s okay. I wasn’t exactly wedded to the idea of getting it right this minute anyway. I’ll look around some more. Thanks anyway, Dustin.” He gave a tip of his hat to Roy, gave Jordan a quick glance, as if he was sizing him up and then dismissing him. Heading toward the door, he called out, “Catch you at Partners, Denver.”

“You got it, Roy,” Denver looked up long enough to say. “Go and catch them bad guys.”

Roy exited the store without further comment.

to be continued

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