Coffee helped calm me down while I eyeballed the bank across the street. Nothing out of the ordinary far as the bank was concerned, or with Garner’s, the electronics store next to it. So far, no sign of the two cars coming back. Hopefully, I’d been mistaken about them. Doubtful, but one could hope. I headed back for my car.
A few minutes later I entered the electronics store. Time for a new plan. I cruised the aisles, snatching up a shoulder bag before heading to the cashier.
Back at my car, I loaded the satchel with my 11-inch computer and change of underwear. I’d packed light for this trip. Since the bank’s side entrance was only a few steps away, I walked inside, satchel over my shoulder and briefcase in hand. Needed to get some cash. Just as well do that now while I could. I looked around, noting how small a bank it was. Two offices to the side, two tellers.
A lady minced from one of the offices, balanced on six-inch heels. “Good afternoon. Is there anything I can help you with?”
I nodded a greeting, imagining how sore her feet must be at the end of the day with those stilts on. “No, Ma’am. Here to make a withdrawal.”
She pointed to a small kiosk on the left. “Just fill out a slip, and one of the ladies will be glad to assist you.” She gave a forced smile and strolled to her office.
Once the form was filled out, I approached one of the tellers. “Hi, I’d like to make a withdrawal, please.”
Just before exiting I spotted the white Hyundai coasting by. It was headed towards the other side of the bank, where my car was parked. My pulse accelerated and I veered left, taking the front exit. I moved quickly towards the shopping center that sprawled in front of me a hundred yards away. Time to mingle.
Seconds after reaching the sidewalk in front of the first store, I saw both the Hyundai and Kia come around either side of the bank. Two guys were in each vehicle, their heads turning as they searched. Without hesitation I entered the nearest store, a Big Lots, and began looking around. Lots of aisles, piled high with all kinds of stuff, to include men’s shirts on the far right. Within moments I’d snagged an extra-large dark red tee-shirt with a University of South Carolina logo on its back. A Braves baseball cap plus sunglasses rounded out my purchases. Before hitting the street I slipped the shirt and glasses on, closely followed by the hat.
I swaggered out of the store, eyes moving behind my shades. There, on the left. Both cars had parked less than a hundred feet away, at the far edge of the shopping center. All four guys were already on the sidewalk, headed my way. Casually as I could, I turned away from them and slipped through the growing crowd. Thankfully they were taking their time, stopping at each store front. Three would enter, while one would keep an eye open out front. This gave me time to put some distance between us. I paused long enough to get a pinch of dirt from a large pot full of flowers, and rubbed it lightly on my face. A glance in a storefront showed a grimy-faced punk staring back. I took the handful of papers from my briefcase, putting them in the satchel. Nothing else of importance in it now. The case went behind the pot.
After a few minutes watching their search pattern, I saw a gap in the operation. When three of them peeled off into a Dollar store, I ambled back towards the one still outside. His eyes swept over me without recognition, easing a knot in my stomach. I timed my approach, mingling with a clot of shoppers hustling by when I brushed against him.
Moments later I rounded a corner and paused, checking out what I’d lifted. A wallet and set of keys. One of the keys had a Hyundai logo stamped on it. Damn, lucked out that time. Didn’t much care for Kias. Boosting two items from someone at once was extremely difficult, but he’d held still long enough for the pick. And to get a set of keys for one of the cars used to tail me was outstanding. I hurried towards the parking lot and got into my newest car, a white Hyundai. I started it while scoping out where my stalkers were. Still moving away, almost out of sight. Time to boogie.
* * *
Once back on I-20 and headed for Columbia, I set the cruise control on the speed limit and zoned out until exit 22, where I got off and pulled into a Burger King. Didn’t want to make a habit eating at these joints, but they were handy when you needed a cup of coffee. Before going in, I gave the car a thorough going-over. A nine millimeter Glock in the glove box was a pleasant bonus, as were the two extra clips for it. There was also a silencer already on the barrel.
The tremors started in my hands, working to my body. Had to get away from these assholes. I forced my hands to still and leaned back, willing myself to relax. I riffled through the wallet I’d lifted, scooping a fistful of hundreds and twenties out of it. There were also two
