Catch As Catch Can | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Catch As Catch Can | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debra Brand
05/06/20
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He pulled down the brim of his derby to shield his eyes from the rainy glare of the corner street lamp. Huddled in the darkened doorway, he waited. The buyer’s instructions were specific and he didn’t want to disappoint him. The price was too attractive to pass up.

This was a new section of town for his operation. The buyer wanted ‘classy’, so classy is what he would get. The upscale streets didn’t afford much protection from searching eyes, but he felt safe in this spot. His partner parked the dark van at the other end of the block.

Extinguishing his cigarette, he turned to avoid the headlights coming around the corner. The cops were making their rounds right on time. They continued patrolling without seeing him so he resumed scanning the sidewalks.

Three guys exited the bar around the corner. Their obnoxious comments and loud laughter were heard a block away. Across the street, the movie theatre emptied out after the ten o’clock show. He observed several young ladies but they were in groups, too.

He always thought of himself as a patient kind of guy and a pro. Take your time, he thought. He waited.

The businesses started closing up and their lights dimmed. Lockdown at eleven had begun.

Fine-tuning his business had been tedious. Sometimes total failure made him feel uneasy but tonight he was confident he would obtain the package and a significant reward.

The street cleared of cars.

There … over there. Just catching a glimpse of a flowing skirt, he cast a disinterested gaze her way. She would be near soon. He tensed and readied for the catch. With a slight but evident motion with his hand, the van started towards him.

Ready … set … go. He exited his hideaway as she passed. Coming up behind her, he encircled the girl’s waist with one arm and drew her close to cover her mouth with his other hand. As the van neared, the side door slid open, and he pushed the girl inside. The door slammed closed after him as the van sped off towards the bridge.

At least, that’s how he imagined it would be.

When he went to grab the girl, he felt the nose of a .38 stick in his ribs. The van drove off leaving him high and dry.

“We were hoping you’d move uptown, Bobby.” She said. “You were number one on our list of sex traffickers. Guess you’re number’s up!”

The cornflower blue eyes watched him carefully as he studied her in return. He got a whiff of her perfume and saw the beautifully painted lips curve into a smile. Then his eyes moved to her neck. In the hollow was a gold cross just like his mother’s.

His response died on his lips.

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