Page 9 of Half Baked

Lance picked up his phone and tapped on the screen. A second later, he looked up and said, “Neil’s gonna pick you up at the convenience store on Vesper in about five minutes.”

I shouldn’t go. I was no less fucked up than I’d been after getting back from that trip, maybe more so, because I’d realized that Maddie helped settle my restless mind. I found a peace just by being with her that I’d never had with anyone else. But in the end, my own need to see her and offer support won out.

Before I could change my mind, I wrapped my fingers around his keys and got out, stopping myself from giving him any advice. He could handle this.

The walk to the convenience store was quick, but I’d had coffee and water that morning and hadn’t used the bathroom in several hours. I texted Neil that I had to pop into the store and would meet him in the parking lot.

I went in and waved to Jeremy, the cashier, an older teen I’d gotten to know when I used to stop in regularly for coffee.

“Hey, Detective Langley,” he said in a friendly greeting. “Long time no see. Where ya been?”

“I refined my coffee palate,” I said with a laugh. “I’m gonna use the restroom. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Sure thing.”

I headed to the restroom, and when I came out a few minutes later, I walked over to a cooler to grab a prepackaged sandwich for lunch. Just as I closed it, I heard a man in the front of the store say in a menacing tone, “Give me all the money in the register, and everyone gets out of here alive.”

I ducked behind the shelf and looked up at the mirror in the corner. A man with a hoodie and jeans stood at the counter, pointing a gun at Jeremy, who was staring at the weapon in shock. A quick glance around the room, using the mirrors in the corners, told me no one else was inside. I reached for the Glock in my holster under my jacket and pulled it out, pointing toward the ceiling. My heart began to race as my mind caught up with the situation.

Was Neil outside? If so, he obviously wasn’t in front of the store.

I peered around the corner.

“Did you hear me?” the robber shouted, thrusting the gun at Jeremy. He was an average-sized guy, and the hood was pulled low over his head. His back was to me, so I couldn’t see if his face was covered too. If not, it was less likely he’d let the kid live. “Empty the cash register!”

Jeremy jumped at the order and started punching buttons on the register. His gaze lifted toward the coolers.

“What are you lookin’ at?” the robber demanded, sounding even angrier.

I jerked behind the shelves, looking back up at the mirror. The robber took a step down the aisle in my direction, pointing the gun in front of him. He had a red bandana wrapped around his face, covering most of his nose, mouth, and chin.

“Who’s back there?” he demanded.

My pulse pounded in my head, and I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths. I couldn’t let my nerves get the best of me. My life and Jeremy’s depended on it. And anyone else who might walk through the door.

“No one needs to get hurt,” I called out in a calm tone, still watching him in the mirror. I quickly glanced at Jeremy, who seemed frozen behind the counter…except for his violent shaking.

“If this fuckin’ cashier would give me the money, then nobody would.” He turned back to the counter. “Where’s my money?”

Jeremy flinched, and the robber pointed his gun at him and shot. The kid shouted and dropped behind the counter.

I didn’t hesitate. I rounded the corner and took a shot, aiming it at the robber’s center mass.

The gunman turned as I pulled the trigger, pointing his gun at me, and fired.

ChapterThree

Maddie

Noah’s been shot.

I couldn’t seem to draw in enough air.

“What happened?” I repeated.

Lance ran a hand along his jaw. “We were on a stakeout, so he left and walked to a convenience store to wait for Neil—you remember Officer Erickson?—to pick him up. He wanted to be here with you for your tour. But someone came in to rob the store while he was there. Noah tried to stop him and got shot.”

Lance was a talker, but even in my dumbstruck state, I could tell he was babbling. One thought stuck out to me, though.

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