Autumn's Fury by Simone Leigh

Author:Simone Leigh [Leigh, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2022-09-10T05:59:55+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five - Harkness

It's a good place to wait. A narrow alleyway separates two streets. Streetlights keep both ends bright, but not the narrow passage between. So they come in with their night vision screwed and they don't see me.

And this one's drunk. The smell of his whiskey arrives before he does.

Maybe he's celebrating something. He looks to have plenty to celebrate. Well dressed. Expensive clothes. Gold glints on his left hand. His right hand holds the bottle.

“Got any change, Pal?”

“Sure, here…” The drunk rummages in a pocket, producing a handful of silver. “Go get something hot to eat. You look like you could use it.”

“Thanks. You're a star.”

And as he wavers on, he doesn't notice I’m still behind him. Making barely a murmur as he goes down, he cracks his head against the brickwork. But I'm careful to avoid the blood as I go through his pockets.

Left trouser pocket…

Turns out he gave me all the change he had from there.

Right trouser pocket…

A tissue, slightly used. Car keys.

Inside coat…

Bingo! Wallet.

I've struck gold. A thick wad of notes. A driving license… You never know when an ID might come in handy. Most people don't look properly.

Cell phone…

Why bother?

The ring is tight and I have to twist hard at the finger to get it off. Something Cracks! as I pull, and even unconscious, he yells…

Anything else?

Car keys?

It’s a long shot, but I follow through the way he was heading. At the end of the alleyway, I lift the keys high and press.

And not twenty yards away, light flash and locks Clunk! open.

A dozen steps toward the car and another thought occurs. Hot-footing back to the fallen drunk, I reclaim the cell. It’s on biometrics, and his left thumbprint unlocks it.

Five minutes later, in the warmth and comfort of my new vehicle, the phone’s running through a factory reset.

What else?

What’s in the back?

A quick rummage through the boot…

My drunk must be a workman of some ilk; powertools; drills, saws, sanders, and a toolbag. Clicking it open, a series of nested trays unfolds… bits and blades, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers…

Everything the working man might need.

And enough money to buy anything else I might want.

*****

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