Page 39 of Special Agent Joseph

“Yeah. Sounds weird I know, but I don’t ever remember actually seeing you smile and certainly not that goofy grin you have now. See. Sideways. It’s different. Kinda like a Bruce Willis thing. If I remember correctly, Joseph – shit you have me messed up now – you had a sideways smirk, but it never held any humor.”

Unexpectedly, Joe broke out laughing. “You saying I look like a movie star?”

Tom joined in, chuckling too. “Hell, I don’t know. I was never that close to you before. Mostly saw you from a distance. You look the same in many ways, but you act different than the Joseph I remember.” Chuckling, Tom stood with his bowl and mug in his hand and headed towards the sink. “Dude, are you aware of how often you talk like Joseph and you and are two different people?”

Following Tom’s action, Joe admitted, “You’ll think I’m crazy but I’m beginning to wonder if that might not be the case. Maybe the authorities made a mistake.”

“Sorry Dude, it’s not likely. The forensics people know their jobs and so do the doctors. They all agreed. You are the same prick.” Ducking away from Joe’s tossed towel, he walked over to where Jack lay contentedly.

“You sure he’s suddenly gonna like me?”

“Try reaching out.”

Pretending to gulp, Tom did as Joe suggested and grinned when Jack allowed him free rein to pet his neck and ears. “Good Boy. We’re friends now, right? No eating Tom. Got it?”

Chapter Twenty-seven

Joe knew instantly that the weapon they gave him felt at home in his grip. Instinctively, he remembered how to remove the magazine and cycle the slide back to make sure if a bullet had filled the chamber. Unconsciously, he checked that the magazine fit back in tightly before he lifted the gun to check the sights. Then Joe moved over to the firing range, put on the headgear, aimed and fired at the target, getting an incredibly high score.

When Lanny the manager approached to say howdy, Tom reached out to shake hands. “Hey man, how’s shit?”

“Good. We’re busy and that makes me happy.” He lifted the lid to the delightful-smelling box he carried. “Hey guys, wanna fresh donut. Just out of the oven from the bakery across the street. They bring me a box every morning… on order.”

Tom grinned and reached out as did two others passing by to set up their shooting. “Can’t say no to these fuckers. It must be true what they say about cops and donuts. How can you havethese things here every day for the customers and look as trim as you do? Slim son of a bitch, don’t you eat them yourself?”

“Trust me, I do. But I limit myself to one a day since my last heart attack.” Chuckling, Lanny pointed to where Joe just finished his practice, a sarcastic comment following. “Joseph still his sweet-natured self? Looks better than before his accident. Couldn’t shoot worth shit back then.”

Tom hesitated before saying, “Maybe his eyesight’s better after the knock on his head.” Chuckling at the thought, nevertheless, he looked startled at Lanny’s words.

“What?” Lanny pointed at Tom’s expression before commenting.

“Nothing. It’s just that they’re a lot of things different about Joe since the accident. Remember when he used to get his shit in a knot if people called him Joe? Now it’s the opposite. He hates it when folks call him Joseph. His mannerisms are goofy too… his smile, even the way he walks… kinda relaxed and easy, not that strut he always performed in the past.”

“Never liked the uptight asshole,” grumbled Lanny. “Bastard didn’t have a good word to say about the place. Swaggered around in his fancy duds like he owned the joint. Even made fun of anyone eating my donuts. Used to say he wouldn’t be caught dead stuffing his body with the cholesterol shit.” Lanny ended his rant. “Not my favorite from your bullpen. You can probably tell.”

Before Tom could answer, Joe approached and checked his weapon’s magazine before placing it gently on the counter in front of Lanny. “Nice weapon. Good sights.”

Then he pointed at Tom’s donut, grinned at Lanny, and reached in for his money. “Any more of those around? They taste as good as they smell, I’ll be in heaven.”

Stunned, Lanny lifted the lid, roughly pushed the box Joe’s way, and waved the money away. “Thought you hated these things.”

“Did I? Sorry, man, don’t remember you or what I might have said in the past. But I do know I love sweets, and donuts like these rank way up on the top of the list.”

Lanny’s face swiveled toward Tom, his eyebrows raised in confusion.

Cleaning off the treat in three bites, Joe wiped his hands on the butt of his jeans and looked at Tom. “What?”

“Nothing. Let’s go outside and check your long range skills.”

“Don’t gotta. I know I’m an ace.”

“And… he’s back.” Lanny sniffed, shaking his head sadly.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Lucia refused to let reality in when her dreamworld gave her so much comfort. Then something happened to shake her foundation. The effects had started to wear off, and her sluggish brain began working. That’s when Raphael upended her very survival.

“Lucia, baby. Look here. See this bag? It’s almost empty. We only have a few pills left. Have you got anything to sell in that backpack you hang on to?”

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