Coast is Clear by Lyndon Perry
Take One
Michael was hyperventilating by the time he and his partner-in-crime ducked into an abandoned warehouse. Sweat poured down his face and he fought back tears of panic.
“Coast is clear,” Justin said as he peeked out a grimy window. “Cops are heading north. Take your stash and make a run for it.”
His partner piled a handful of stacked tens and twenties into a bag and handed it to him. Michael stared at his fellow bank robber, dumbfounded.
“This is where we part company, Mikey ol’ pal.”
Glancing at his cohort’s overstuffed canvas bag and then at his half empty one, he said, “Maybe we should count it first.” He knew the police would circle back at any moment, yet fair was fair.
“What? Don’t you trust me, Mikey boy?”
Michael swallowed his fear. “Look, Justin, our agreement was—”
“Our agreement was one more job and not get caught,” the man interrupted. “Cops will make another sweep soon and I, for one, do not plan on introducing myself.”
Justin reached into his bag and pulled out one more stack of twenties and tossed it. Michael fumbled with it, almost dropped it.
“Fair’s fair,” the other bank robber said, grabbing his gear and heading for an exit.
Michael blinked away the sweat in confusion as he watched Justin dodge out a back door of the warehouse. This was too much. Sure, Justin was the brains behind the hit, but he was the one who’d put his life on the line by demonstrating some muscle back at the bank. If they got caught, he’d be the one facing jail time for armed robbery.
He rushed after Justin and cried out, “Wait! Wait for me.” His voice echoed in the empty building.
Before Justin was able to lose himself in the maze of alleys that twisted through the old warehouse district, Michael burst from the exit, spotted him, and ran to catch up.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Justin demanded. “Job’s done. Money’s divvied up. It’s each man for himself from this point on.”
“I want my share of the take.” Michael squirmed.
“You gotta complaint? Call the Better Business Bureau.”
Michael reached into his bag. “I think I’ll handle it myself.”
“What are you talking about…whoa, whoa, now. Hold on there.”
Pointing a wavering .357 in Justin’s face, he said, “I figure we have about five minutes to work this out like gentlemen before the police arrive.” Michael checked his watch and fidgeted, more sweat pouring down his face. “You want to reconsider our agreement?”
Justin swore. Then he spat a load of phlegm at Michael’s feet.
“Sure, Michael, sure. Just take it easy, okay? I’m going to set the bag down and you take what you want, all right?”
Sensing some trick, Michael nodded his head slowly. He hated being played for a fool. All his life he’d gotten the short end of the stick. It was now time to turn the tables. No matter what happened in the next five minutes, Justin Bailey, former friend, sometimes partner, was a dead man.
That was the new agreement Michael was thinking about right then, and it was an agreement he knew he could definitely keep when the time came.
(“Take Two” next week!) Coast is Clear © 2018 by Lyndon Perry
Notes about today’s story…
I wanted to write a crime novel a few years back but needed some practice with POV. This “take” is 3rd person past from Michael’s perspective. Next week is the same scenario but a 1st person present take from Justin’s POV.
You’ll have to let me know which you like better. And actually, the two takes go together as there’s a bit of twisty reveal at the end of Take Two. Can’t wait until next Friday? Email me for the story any time at lyngperry at yahoo dot com.
In the meantime, check out my Author Page on Amazon and follow me there to be notified about new releases. Thanks! Have a great weekend and happy reading! - Lyn
Good practice, POV!! Ned! Ned!