by Tom Fowler
They drove to Tyler’s neighborhood. When the SUV drove up his street, he saw the 442 sitting in its usual spot. “How did my car get here?” he wondered aloud as they pulled to the curb.
“Rollins dropped it off,” Lexi said. “He called me yesterday.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to see it here.”
“Need help getting inside?”
“I think I can manage,” Tyler said. His left arm was in a sling and would be for four weeks. Then the doctor would evaluate his recovery. If all went well, he’d wear a soft cast for two weeks, do some physical therapy, and then be back at full strength. He’d have a scar from where the bullet ripped into his flesh, but scars were good for showing off to dates.
Maybe he’d even get a chance to show Sara Morrison sometime.
“You staying, Dad?” Tyler said.
Zeke shook his head. “I need to get back. Lexi said she’d take me. You see the rear doors? Ain’t this car some cool shit?”
“Sure. We just need to figure out how to keep it.”
“Huh?”
“Long story,” Tyler said. “Lexi can explain it to you on the drive.” He bumped fists with Zeke and watched them drive away. After the warehouse and the drab hospital room, Tyler liked seeing the inside of his own house. He set his bag down, took a beer from the fridge, and opened it. Dos Equis Amber. He stuck to the traditional lagers and ambers. One time, he’d tried an IPA and came away thinking a half-hour of sucking a lemon would have been more pleasant.
He was finishing his beer when Smitty called for the second time. He picked up. “Jake’s back.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear he came home.”
“He still wants to be a mechanic, though not full-time. I told him we’d need to figure out a schedule.”
“You have your helper back. Getting the sign fixed would be good.”
Smitty let out a dry chuckle. “I’ll think about it. Listen, I was wondering if you still want to be on the schedule,” Smitty said. “Can you stop in?”
“I think so,” Tyler said. “Give me about an hour.”
Tyler polished off the beer in three more swigs. He waited a few minutes, drank some water, and sat in his favorite recliner. The couch still showed the signs of Lexi fighting off her attackers. Tyler closed his eyes. The medication made him tired. About a half-hour later, his eyes fluttered open. He grabbed his car keys and drove to Smitty’s shop. Inside, Smitty stood from behind his desk. He came around and bumped fists with Tyler. “Thanks for everything you did,” he said.
Jake walked in from the shop. He and Tyler exchanged firm nods. “Haven’t seen you in about ten years.”
“After all I went through,” Tyler said, “I might want to wait another ten before I see you again.”
Jake smiled. “Like my dad said, thanks for everything you did.”
“Sure.”
“Jake, why don’t you finish the car on the rack?” Smitty said. “Tyler and I have a couple things to talk about.”
“All right.” Jake and Tyler bobbed their heads at each other again. “Thanks. I hope I don’t need you to do something like this for me in the near future.”
Tyler shrugged his left shoulder, causing his arm to rise a bit in its sling. “If you do, you’ll need to wait at least six weeks.”
Jake headed back into the shop. Smitty waited for him to shut the door before saying anything. “I’m glad he’s sticking around.”
“Me, too.”
“Truth is, though, I think you’re a better mechanic than he is.”
“Don’t let him hear you tell me,” Tyler said.
Smitty waved a hand. “It’s fine. The boy’s not passionate about it like I am. What I’m saying is I’d like you to stick around. You and Jake can both be part-time if you want. I suspect you’ll be on light duty for a while.”
Tyler nodded. “I don’t think I’ll be much good to you for a few weeks.”
“You can work the counter.”
Tyler chuckled. “You don’t want me dealing with the public. The police are already investigating me for a building full of dead assholes in Baltimore. Let’s not put any more on their plates.”
Smitty smiled for the first time in Tyler’s recent memory. “Fine. When your arm is better, then. We’ll figure out a schedule.”
“Do I get a raise?”
“No.”
“My name on the sign?”
“No.”
“Sounds perfect,” Tyler said.
* * *
THE END
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John Tyler will return with a new novel in the summer of 2021. In the meantime, you can read a free Tyler novella detailing his last job for Patriot Security by going to https://bit.ly/TylerPrequel.
Afterword
Want to read how John Tyler’s last job with Patriot Security went off the rails. You can read the prequel novella Midnight Drive for free today!
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The John Tyler Thrillers
The Mechanic
White Lines (Summer 2021)
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The C.T. Ferguson Crime Novels:
The Reluctant Detective
The Unknown Devil
The Workers of Iniquity
Already Guilty
Daughters and Sons
A March from Innocence
Inside Cut
The Next Girl
In the Blood
A Handful of Dust
While these are the suggested reading sequences, each novel is a standalone thriller or mystery, and the books can be enjoyed in whatever order you happen upon them.
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Connect with me:
For the many ways of finding and reaching me online, please visit https://tomfowlerwrites.com/contact. I’m always happy to talk to readers.
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This is a work of fiction. Characters and places are either fictitious or used in a fictitious manner.
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If you enjoyed this book, I hope you’ll leave a review. They help indie authors like me get our books noticed, meaning more readers like you can enjoy them. To leave a review, go to the book’s sales page where you bought it, select your rating, and say a few words.
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“Self-publishing” is something of a misnomer. This book would not have been possible without the contributions of many people.
The great cover design team at 100 Covers.
My editor extraordinaire, Chase Nottingham.
My wonderful advance reader team, the Fell Street Irregulars.
Special thanks to crime fiction author and all-around good guy John D. Patten for helping me settle on the name John Tyler for this character.
