“I’d like to see those
tapes,” Shane said.
“And, I’d like to
see a warrant,” Vince replied.
“And the
pictures?”
“A warrant.”
“How about a
piece of your hide?” Austin
mumbled.
“I need you to
repeat that a bit louder and slower. And, make sure you enunciate.” Vince pulled
a tape recorder from underneath his desk. “I need to make sure I quote you
correctly when I do my piece on Oakley County’s finest and whether they’re too
heavy handed in carrying out their duties.”
“I’ll give you a
quote you little piece of—”
“Austin, I think
we’re done here,” Shane announced as he stood.
Austin mumbled an
expletive before he rose and stalked out the room.
“I’ll be back
with the warrants,” Shane said.
“Everything’ll be
here.” Vince reached for the telephone. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a
newspaper to run.”
Shane nodded
before he walked out the room. “I’ll be back,” he mumbled to the receptionist
as he strolled past of desk.
Outside, Austin leaned
against the car, his arms crossed over his chest. His frown said he was ready
to go back inside and finish the thought Shane had interrupted.
“Okay, let me
have it,” Shane said.
“What?” Austin asked.
“I won’t have you
walking around looking for someone breaking the law so you’ll have an excuse to
take you bad mood out on him. So, why don’t you take a swing at me, I’ll punch
back, and we’ll get it out of our system.”
“You know I’d
never take my bad mood out on someone else. But, if I could only have a few
minutes alone with Vince.”
“Trust me, you’re
going to have to get in line.” Shane nodded towards the mammoth charging across
the street towards the building.
If Shane was
called to testify in a trial regarding the day’s events, he would swear under
oath he saw steam shooting from Mark Butler’s nostrils. The man yanked the door
so hard; Shane was surprised it had not come off the hinges.
“We better get in
there,” Shane said.
“We?” Austin repeated. “As Vince said,
I’m off duty. I’m more inclined to get a tuna sandwich.”
Shane glanced up
at the window. Vince frantically waved down at them.
“Sure and I can
see tomorrow’s headlines. Expect No Mercy
from Oakley’s Finest.”
I can feel the tension. You left us in suspense. Is Vince going to get taken apart by this guy? Great excerpt, Ursula.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was one great snippet!
ReplyDeleteSo many questions from so little words .... great snippet. Look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteTense scene with fabulous interaction among them. I love the imagined headline.
ReplyDeleteTense scene with fabulous interaction among them. I love the imagined headline.
ReplyDeletevery believable scene- well done
ReplyDeleteLove it. Especially t he beginning. It's very realistic.
ReplyDeleteLove the back and forth between them.
ReplyDeleteLoved the dialogue. Felt like I was in on the conversation.
ReplyDeleteGreat conflict and tension for the two. I wonder how often the police are treated like crap, then the very same people want their assistance.
ReplyDelete