Page 1 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter One

Murphy pulled into his driveway and saw his neighbor acting like an asshole again. It happened often, and Murphy was sick of it. He left the car, intending to ignore the fact that the kid was getting blasted.

“Little shit. You listen to me when I talk to you.”

“When you make sense, maybe I will. Until then, back off and leave me alone. I’m not handing over any money, so give it up.”

“I feed you, clothe you and put a fucking roof over your head. Then, when I ask for a few bucks, you act like I’m some mysterious thief trying to steal your future. Piss on your future, what about now? What about me? I need money.”

“Then get off your lazy fat ass, get a job and earn some – like you’ve made me do.”

Losing his shit, the older man suddenly turned into a crazy fool. He rushed at the boy, grabbed him by his arm and hauled back to punch. In earlier years, no doubt, he’d have connected, but now the boy was strong and filled with angry disgust. Rather than take the punishment, he yanked himself from the other’s grasp, turned and started to leave.

Only he didn’t see his dad pull off the piece of broken fence, whip it behind his back and swing full force.

If Murphy hadn’t stepped out at that moment to haul the kid away, the board would have connected, and no doubt would have done some damage.

He pointed at his door, pushed the kid in the direction and growled, “Get into the house. Now!”

Once Talin had disappeared, he pulled the drunk to his feet – the force from his wild swing having landed him on his ass – and shook him like a rag. “Campbell, you’re a disgrace to the male race and fatherhood.”

“The brat disrespe-ched… me.”

“That makes two of us.” He pushed the man toward his open back door, “Chrissakes, get out of my sight before I give you what you’ve got coming. And have a shower, you stink like puke.”

***

“Jesus, kid. What set him off like that?”

“He’s drunk.”

“He’s always drunk.”

“Yeah, well tonight he was a mean drunk.”

“I heard him after you for money. You working?”

Talin went to the fridge and pulled out some cheese, ham and bread. Next, he grabbed the frying pan from the cupboard and started putting together grilled cheese sandwiches, his favorite snack that surprisingly was always available for him at Murphy’s place. “You want a couple?”

“Sure. What kind of job did you find?”

Talin stopped and looked up. Murphy drilled him with his no-nonsense look. “Hey, back off. I’m helping old man Whiteland two doors down clean his yard.”

“Okay. Good. Don’t look at me that way.”

“You don’t trust me to keep out of trouble? I’m hurt.”

“Bullshit. There’s assholes out there who’d like to have a youngster like you on their payroll, selling all kinds of shit. You know what I mean.”

“I know. They’ve already approached me. I told them like you said. That you lived next door and would be on them quicker’n they could call for their mamas if they messed with me. Funny, they haven’t come near since.”

“Good. Keep your nose clean. Work the jobs you can do helping people around the neighborhood who can’t do stuff for themselves. Keep it up and you’ll get to college one day.”

“Like you, I want to be in criminal justice.”

“Not like me. It’s a shit job. Most guys at work can’t keep a family together and are always broke.”

“I was talking the law side, like a lawyer.”

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