New Flash Fiction

***

“Who’s he?” Stephanie might be my wife, but this was still my county and my scene.

“You can guess,” the suit with the sunglasses said. He was just keeping professional distance from Steph as they walked away from his dust-covered black suburban.

“I didn’t know a range fire was a problem for homeland security.” I mouthed a word of thanks to the EMT that had bandaged the burn on my arm from the flaming ball of goo.

“We saw the fire on satellites, Maxwell, so cut the crap and play ball.”

"Boys. . . Sam’s had a long couple of days, and you’ve had a long flight, John. Let’s try to be patient with each other, okay?” Stephanie interrupted. 

I went off. 

I felt it happen and made the decision not to stop it. If she hadn’t jumped between us, I would have had him by the throat.

“Sam! Cool it or I’ll arrest you myself!” She didn’t even come close to backing away from the daggers I was throwing from my eyes. “Knock it off!”

“Who the fuck are you, anyway? Really?” I snapped.

He smiled.

It wasn’t a good smile. 

Since I already needed a shower, it just compounded the problem.  He was like watching a snake eat another snake. “The fun thing is, I don’t have to tell you. What do you know about the guys that did this?”

The manure might have been metaphorical, but I was up to my knees and sinking in it. “The video should be stored on my drone.”

“See, now that didn’t hurt so bad, did it?” John asked.  “I’ll need the memory card.”

Shaking my head, I started walking back toward my truck. “Do I get to know who it was?”

“Look, Maxwell. Your history with the department speaks for you. Your badge is still warm, but until you claim it, you’re out of the loop. Period.” John took a few more steps. “I know you think I’m playing with you, and maybe I was to start, but. . . It’s the way it is, you know?"

“So, you’re Johnny Carr’s replacement, aren’t you?” 

He laughed. “I never really thought about it, but yeah, I guess I am. I ‘spose one John’s as good as another.”

“I wouldn’t brag about being anything like Carr.” I snarled.

“Then come back into the fold, Sam. Show us how it’s done,” John said as I handed him the card. “Straight goods, we’d be lucky to have you.”

“Whatever,” I said tiredly. “I’ve got a fire to get out so I can go home.”