* Detective Peterson leaned in to look at the body.
Forensics had already done their part and the store manager
lay dead inside the large black bag. The corner zipped it
shut and two EMT's helped load the slab and body into his
van. He was an older, balding man with thick glasses and long
skinny fingers. He shut the door and pushed his glasses up
his nose as he turned to Peterson.
CORONER
Stabbed through the heart with a
small round piece of metal, less
than an inch in diameter. The lab
should have more for you in a few
days, but without a murder
weapon...
He shrugged his shoulders and walked away to the front of his
van. Peterson tapped his pen against his notebook and looked
around. The uniforms were taking down the police tape and the
onlookers were slowly milling away. A pudgy young man in a
Star Trek T-shirt watched the van as it drove away. He
slurped the last bits of his large Frappuccino and walked
away looking at the cup with disappointment. Detective
Peterson was days away from his fiftieth birthday. He had a
thick head of messy grey hair and a warm thoughtful face. He
wasn't in the best shape. His days of running after crooks
were long behind him, but he had settled nicely into homicide
investigation. He looked around the alley, imagining what
events led to this mans murder on such a warm sunny morning.
The sun glinted off of his pen as he stared at the open back
door of the coffee shop. Reyes "Lucky" Thompson was the man
laying in the back of the coroner's van. A pool of his blood
lay thick and sticky by the open door of the shop he managed.
As Peterson approached it, the last of the uniforms on the
scene gave him a parting run down of the situation.
UNIFORM
All signs point to a mugging. His
wallet keys and phone are missing,
along with his car. The shop
owner's been called, and she's on
her way to the station. All the
employees are on their way to
separate lock ups. Should I secure
the building, sir?
PETERSON
No. I'm going to have a look around
before I head to the station.
UNIFORM
Yes, sir.
The young cop handed Peterson a ring of keys and walked away.
Peterson stepped around the blood and carefully entered the
door. The kitchen was immaculate. The shop hadn't been open
for more than an hour before the police got an anonymous tip
about the murder. Peterson knew that other members of the
force had gone over the shop with a fine tooth comb, but he
had a need to see things for himself. He looked at the tools
and utensils, searching for anything that might fit the
description the coroner gave. There was nothing.
* Hours before the police were needed, the morning sun
shined a blue filtered haze through the glass front doors of
the coffee shop. Six small round tables filled the main room.
Behind them, a small counter was filled with neatly organized
cups and various shiny coffee machines. Behind the counter, a
door led to the kitchen on the far right and a small hallway
led to an office, a storage room, and bathrooms on the left.
Janine was in front of the counter wiping everything with a
dust cloth. She was a tall red headed girl of nineteen with a
thin build and long curly hair. She had ear buds in and her
back was to the door. She danced as she cleaned, humming
along to whatever she was listening to. Outside the door,
Douglas stood watching. He was a pudgy man in his mid
twenties, wearing cargo shorts and a Star Trek T-shirt, with
a soft leather satchel slung over his shoulder. He tapped on
the glass several times, and had finally decided to just give
up and enjoy the show. Janine rocked her small ass side to
side in tight white jeans and a matching blouse, then arched
her back to belt out a high note. Douglas wondered if she
sounded anywhere near as good as she looked when she sang.
Janine bowed to her imaginary audience and pulled the
headphones from her ears. She winked at Douglas as she opened
the doors for him.
DOUGLAS
That was the best five minutes I've
ever had to wait in my life.
Janine giggled.
JANINE
I knew you were out there. I
thought you might like that. The
usual?
Douglas plopped down at a table and hurriedly pulled a binder
and a decorative case from his satchel.
DOUGLAS
Naw... I'm feeling crazy today.
Let's do a large Mocha frappˇ.
Extra whip cream.
JANINE
Wow! Going all out. You haven't
changed your morning order in six
months. I'll be right back.
She went behind the counter to make his coffee and Douglas
opened the binder and the mall case. Inside the case was an
assortment of fine ink pens organized by the thickness of the
line they produced. He took one from the center and began
delicately working on whatever was on the paper. Janine
returned with his coffee and sat down across the table from
him.
JANINE (CONT'D)
You are so talented.
She looked at him, her big green eyes radiating warmth and
admiration. Douglas smiled.
DOUGLAS
Not really. I'm just an ink guy.
All I do is trace other peoples
work and add a little color.
JANINE
Don't be ridiculous. You have more
talent than anyone I've ever known.
His smile faded as he looked down at the binder.
DOUGLAS
Tell that to the guys at Dark Star
Comics. They fired me yesterday.
Said they'll be doing all the ink
and color with computers from now
on.
JANINE
Oh no.
She reached out and touched his hand.
JANINE (CONT'D)
What are you going to do?
DOUGLAS
I got some money saved. Me and a
buddy are going to open a comic
book store. See.
He lifted the binder and turned it for her to see the page.
On it was a drawing of him holding a comic book and the words
"Nerd Boy Comics" in the background.
JANINE
You are amazing.
DOUGLAS
We'll see. If this doesn't pan out,
I could always apply for a job
here.
JANINE
Oh, God! I wouldn't wish that on my
worst enemy.
Just as she finished the sentence, Lucky Thompson stepped
from the kitchen. He was a tall thin man in his thirties,
touches of grey sprinkling his hair. He had a handsome face
and most people would have found him quite attractive, if he
wasn't such a tool.
LUCKY
So let's see, that what five
minutes now, I've been paying you
to do nothing useful.
Pain and sorrow sunk into Janine's eyes as she stood and
whispered to Douglas.
JANINE
This job would be awesome, if that
dick would just get hit by a bus on
the way home.
Lucky looked at his watch and folded his arms as she slowly
walked behind the counter and went back to dusting. Lucky
smiled at Douglas as if he were proud of himself then looked
at Janine.
LUCKY
Dan and Dave are both late again. I
can't have you working the counter
alone, so I want you to pick witch
one of them gets fired.
JANINE
Are you kidding?
LUCKY
Nope. Think it over and let me know
when they get here. Send witch ever
one you choose to get axed to my
office first.
With a peppy step and a smile, he disappeared down the
hallway. Janine grumbled to herself as she wiped the
counters. Douglas looked at her, unsure of what to do or say.
* Dan and Dave came into the shop. They were the
unlikeliest pair you would ever see. Both twenty one years
old, Dan was a small, thin white guy with a baby face and
short light brown hair, while Dave was a tall muscular
African American with a smoothly shaved head. They were both
wearing jeans and "Members Only" jackets and laughed about
something as they entered. They stopped at the table where
Douglas sat and raised their arms, turning and posing.
DAVE
E-bay, baby! Sixty bucks each.
JANINE
Shut up and get over here you
jerks!
Janine threw the dusting rag into the corner and squared up
on the two as they rounded the counter.
JANINE (CONT'D)
That douche bag of a manager is
going to fire one of you, and he
wants me to pick.
DAN
Fire? What for?
JANINE
For being late again, you idiots.
DAVE
It's fine. Pick me.
DAN
No way, man pick me.
Janine pulled at her hair in frustration.
JANINE
I'm not picking either one of you
guys. We are marching into that
office and telling that tool that
if he fires either one of you, we
all quit.
The two guys looked at each other and rubbed their chins.
DAN
Yeah, we're all getting Shit
canned.
Janine shook her head and threw her arms up with a grunt.
JANINE
Come on!
DAN
Hold on.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and pushed the call
button. The other two looked at him as he held it to his ear
and waited.
DAVE
So, did the douche bag say anything
else this morning?
Janine glared at Dave as Dan started talking.
DAN
Hey Sareena, when you wake up could
you do me a favor and start
highlighting the job postings in
the paper again? See you in like
two hours.
He hung up the phone with a casual smile and Janine glared at
him as she marched past them.
JANINE
Come on.
Lucky had changed from his cackies and polo shirt to a pair
of shorts and a jersey. He was stretching his legs on the
desk when the trio knocked and quickly entered his office.
JANINE (CONT'D)
Fire either of them and we all
walk.
LUCKY
OK.
He continued stretching as if he hadn't a care in the world.
JANINE
OK?
LUCKY
It's a tough decision. A management
decision. I had a feeling you
weren't ready for so much
responsibility, as young as you
are.
Her fist clinched and Dave put a hand on her arm just in
case. He gave her a head shake and she took a deep breath.
LUCKY (CONT'D)
Tell you what, you're solidarity is
impressive, so while I'm out for my
morning jog, I'll think about
things and get back to you.
With that he casually stepped past them and left the coffee
shop through the kitchen's back door.
JANINE
That arrogant jack-ass! Riding my
ass about talking to a paying
customer for five minutes while he
takes hour long jogs on the clock.
I swear to god, I'm going to bash
his brains in.
Dan looked up at Dave.
DAN
Dude, how do you keep getting us
involved with these violent women?
DAVE
What can I say? I have a type.
DAN
You make me glad I'm gay.
Janine's face was beat red with anger. Dave gently took her
hand and pointed at coffee maker slowly percolating on
Lucky's desk.
DAVE
Come on, girl. You knew this was
going to happen. What kind of self
important nut bag brings his own
coffee to a coffee shop?
DAN
Besides, we've only been working
here for three weeks.
Her lips curled upwards as she looked at the coffee maker and
the mini fridge behind Lucky's desk.
JANINE
That's right... he has a cup of his
"perfect coffee" every morning
after his run.
DAN
Dude, I think we're in trouble.
JANINE
Dave, stay here. Dan, come with me.
The two of them walked out to the main room and Douglas
looked up with curiosity. Janine stopped at the table with a
devious smile while Dan went to the front door and locked it.
A beautiful blonde girl stood at the door as he turned the
sign to closed. She gave Dave pouty lips and batted her eyes.
He shrugged apologetically and turned away. Janine grabbed
Douglas by the hand and pulled him to his feet.
JANINE (CONT'D)
Come with me. I want you to be a
part of this.
Before he could respond, she was pulling him down the hall
and into the office. Once they were all in the office, she
hurried around the desk and opened Lucky's fridge. She pulled
out his bottle of hazelnut creamer with a snobby looking
label across the front and set it on the desk.
JANINE (CONT'D)
His next cup of coffee is going to
be less hazel and more nut.
Dan and Dave shook their heads.
DAVE
I knew she was going to make that
pun the minute I saw the creamer.
DOUGLAS
So you want us to jerk off into his
coffee creamer.
Janine sat on Lucky's desk and began unbuttoning her blouse.
JANINE
Don't be silly. You know how much I
like you. I wouldn't bring you back
here just to make you play with
yourself.
She opened her blouse with a smile. She wasn't wearing a bra
and her ample breasts jiggled side to side as she playfully
rotated her torso slightly. They were by no means huge, but
larger than you would expect to find on a woman as thin as
she was. They were natural and had a beautifully elastic hang
as they bobbled.
JANINE (CONT'D)
I'm going to suck all three of you
off and spit your cum into his
creamer.
Douglas blushed as the front of his shorts began to stretch.
Dan stepped over to the desk and stood next to Janine.
DAN
I don't think so.
Janine looked at him with confusion.
DAN (CONT'D)
If you think there's going to be
dick sucking at work, and I'm not
getting one in my mouth, you're
crazy.
JANINE
My mistake.
She led Douglas to the table and Dan did the same with Dave.
The two men stood next to each other as the other two
unbuttoned their bottoms and pulled them to the floor. Janine
looked over at Dave's huge brown penis in utter disbelief.
Dan gave her a proud smirk.
DAN
Yeah. That's my best friend.
Douglas' cock was already hard. Janine spit on it, and slowly
spread the slippery liquid around. His penis bent upward at
the middle of the shaft and twisted slightly at the head. In
her head, she estimated it to be just over six inches as she
squeezed her soft warm tits around it. He moaned as his penis
throbbed in her cleavage as she titfucked his swollen shaft.
Next to her Dan was slowly filling his mouth with huge head
of his buddies penis. Janine and Dan sucked their friends
off, occasionally trading cocks playfully until Douglas said
he was ready to cum in a breathy moan. She opened her mouth
and stroked his shaft while Dan grabbed the bottle of creamer
from the desk. Janine made sure to get every squirt of sperm
from Douglas' penis before slowly spitting into the coffee
creamer. A string of gloppy ooze dripped from her chin and
she scooped it with her finger and wiped it into the
container. She handed the creamer back to Dan and sucked hard
on the head of Dave's cock until he threw his head back with
a moan. His cum overflowed from her mouth and ran down the
sides of her cheeks. Dan helped her get all of the spunk into
the container and they all carefully cleaned the room. She
twirled the bottle before returning it to the small
refrigerator, making sure the gloppy sperm mixed thoroughly
with the milky creamer.
. When Lucky returned from his jog, he found Janine and
Dan organizing supplies in the small kitchen. Douglas was in
the same chair at the same table, sipping his coffee and
doodling in his note book.
Dave was behind the counter serving a customer. Lucky waited
until the customer left the store and walked over to the
front door.
LUCKY
I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask
you to leave now.
He was looking at Douglas with a fake plastic smile. Douglas
closed his pen box and put it in his satchel, but kept his
notebook and pen in his hand as he left. Lucky locked the
door behind him and walked back to the counter.
LUCKY (CONT'D)
I need everyone in my office now.
He walked down the hall and into his office where he sat
behind his desk. Steam rose from the freshly percolated
coffee. His mug sat next to the machine on the corner of his
desk. He swiveled in his chair and whistled with a smile as
he pulled his creamer from the fridge and set it on the desk.
The trio entered his office.
LUCKY (CONT'D)
Janine, I knew you weren't ready to
handle such an important decision.
I thought maybe it was your age,
but during my jog, I realized it's
because you're an woman. So, that
leaves me with the decision. I'd
love to fire both of you, but that
would mean me working the counter.
If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't
have taken the job as manager. So
while I enjoy my coffee, I'm going
to be deciding whether I want to
worry about some fairy checking out
my ass all the time or some black
guy stealing from the register
every day. Of course, you could
save me the trouble and quit, so I
don't have to give you a severance
pay. Anyway, you've got about
fifteen minutes to think it over.
I'll let you know then. Close the
door on your way out.
He waved them away and grabbed his mug. No sooner than the
door clicked shut.
DAVE
I'm going to kill that guy.
DAN
I hope he chokes on his fucking
coffee.
The three walked down the hall, through the kitchen and out
of the back door never to return to the coffee shop.
Meanwhile in his office, Lucky filled his mug and took a deep
long sniff of his favorite roast. He gently shook the creamer
bottle in one hand as he pulled a red stir stick from his
desk. He popped the cap and poured a couple ounces of the
thick milky cream into his coffee, smiling as he swirled the
liquids together. He blew the rising steam and took a deep
drink of his coffee. His face contorted. He took another
small sip and let his sit in his mouth. His face contorted
further. He set the coffee down and picked up the bottle of
creamer. He turned it slowly, scanning the bottom of the
bottle for it's expiration date. He found it and scratched
his head with confusion. He put the bottled to his nose and
smelled it, then pulled it away quickly with a frown. He
tossed the creamer into the small trash can next to his desk
and hopped from his chair. He called out for every to hear as
he walked down the hall.
LUCKY
You've got an extra half hour to
ponder your future while I run to
the store for some creamer.
There was only silence. Lucky entered the main room to find
no one. He grunted to himself and quickly walked behind the
counter and into the kitchen.
LUCKY (CONT'D)
What the hell are you idiots
thinking leaving no one at the
counter?
He was talking to the walls. There was no one in the kitchen
either. The back door was open and Lucky stepped out of it
with a frustrated glare. He gurgled something about
incomprehensible shock as felt his chest being stabbed. The
eyes of his killer in the bright morning sun were the last
thing he saw.
* It was late in the day and Detective Peterson sat at his
desk watching Dan, Dave and Janine walking out of the police
station. He twisted hi torso trying to get comfortable. For
years, he had been ignoring the dull throb in his lower back
when he sat down. Detective Mathews sat at the desk next to
his and was just hanging up the phone.
PETERSON
Are we letting all three suspects
go?
MATHEWS
We could hold them for twenty four
hours, but there's no point.
There's no murder weapon, no blood
on them, and a patrol man found the
victims car by an abandoned
warehouse on the waterfront.
PETERSON
You don't say.
He leaned back in his chair and frowned.
MATHEWS
The guys wallet and phone were in
the car, credit cards and cash
gone. And get this, that
warehouse... Chop shop we busted
last year. Some junkie probably
robbed the poor bastard and tried
to trade his car for a few days
worth of smack. Probably jonesing
so bad, he didn't remember that his
buddies were cleared out of that
part of town.
Peterson fidgeted in his chair as he rubbed his chin and
stared at the ceiling with dissatisfaction.
PETERSON
Say, that chop shop bust made the
papers, right?
MATHEWS
You kidding? The chief still has
the front page mounted and framed
behind his desk. The mayor shook
his hand for getting his Lexus
back.
PETERSON
Yeah, I thought that was the one.
He slowly shook his head. Mathews knew the look on Peterson's
face was the one he gets when he starts obsessing about a
case.
MATHEWS
Is you're spidey sense tingling old
timer?
PETERSON
I don't know. It all seems so
clean. Who was on the phone?
Mathews swiveled in his chair side to side. Peterson watched
with envy as the younger man moved in his chair with ease.
MATHEWS
One of the tech heads up stairs.
Get this, the call reporting the
murder came from the victim's
phone. How bout that, a junkie with
a conscious.
PETERSON
How about that...
Peterson looked back to the ceiling and frowned as he
continued trying to adjust his torso to stop the pain.
* In another part of the city, Douglas sat on a bench
staring at the lake. The sun was setting and off in the
distance, a happy couple trekked across the horizon in a
small paddle boat. Douglas stared at the deep shimmering
water of the lake. He had his notebook opened to the picture
of his store logo and was coloring the letters a vibrant
shade of red. Only half of the letters were outlined in ink.
They were done in a thin deep shiny black line. Douglas
reached the half that were still sketched in pencil and
sighed. He looked over at the open pen box sitting next to
him on the bench. The pen on the farthest right, his thinnest
tipped, favorite pen was missing. He looked back to the deep
waters of the lake and sighed again before going back to
coloring his new logo with red.
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