1 Detective Tom Marks

While I am driving and listening to the music playing and singing along, I am thinking, am I making the right choice? I am leaving my hometown for Los Angeles just because I got promoted. Los Angeles was not my first choice. It wasn't even on my radar. But it's because a Detective spot opened up, and I had to take the position. I could have just stayed and continued being a cop and lived happily. But because of the big promotion, I had to be reassigned to a different department.

Well, it is too late now, anyway, Mr. Detective. I have accepted the promotion, and off I go, three days to pack up your life and move as I'm starting on Monday. But looking at it now, it was the right choice. Better hours, better pay, and more time doing what I love, serving my community, and putting criminals behind bars. This song reminds me so much of home right now. And GPS says I still have three hours to drive left until I arrive in Los Angeles. I should have taken a plane, but then I wouldn't get time to drive my new Dodge Hellcat.

It was love at first sight, a white 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat with almost no miles on it. It was a steal. Umm, maybe I should report myself? Well, let's look at the bright side, if I fail at being a Detective, I can always take a stab at becoming a stand-up comedian. I'm so funny I'm killing myself. Wow, I need to change the station to something else, because I'm losing my mind.

Maybe I should call my realtor. I need to make sure that she has sorted out the problems before I get there. I need a good night's sleep. Cause when tomorrow comes, I am a new man. Then I use voice recognition.

"Call Shelley"

My phone responds;

"Calling Shelley."

The phone rings, and she answers.

"Shelley from Renting Properties, how can I help you?"

I notice she sounds out of breath.

"Hey, Shelley, it is Tom Marks. How are you doing today?"

"Tom, I don't know anyone by that name, Tom who?"

I answer her surprised;

"Detective Tom Marks...I'm moving to L.A. The guy you spoke to yesterday regarding the property I am renting. Do you remember me now? And what are you doing? You sound busy at the moment, is everything okay?"

"Oh right, Mr. Marks, now I remember you, sorry for that. I am doing my morning run before I head to the office. No need to worry, love."

"Oh, I thought you were doing something else...and please call me Detective Marks. Did you sort out the small problems you spoke to me about yesterday?"

"Mr. Marks- I'm sorry...Detective Marks. I assure you that upon your arrival, everything should be in order. I have spoken to the landlord myself, and he told me they have everything under control. I will go there myself before I head to the office and call you while I'm there. Would that be fine, Detective?"

"Yes, that would be fine, and thank you, Shelley. I'm looking forward to your call, goodbye."

"Goodbye, Detective."

Just before I end the call, I hear someone talking to Shelley about the conversation we just had.

"Who was that on the phone? He sounded like a real douchebag."

"He sure is a douchebag, thinks he is Mr. know-it-all. Wanting to tell me how to do my job. He's such a lost cause."

While I'm listening to the conversation between the two, it seems like Shelley notices that she hasn't ended the call, and before she finishes the sentence, she ends the call.

Oh hell, What did I do wrong? Now I'm a Mr. know-it-all? She better call me back.

I'm feeling a bit hungry. Maybe I need to fill up on some gas and get something to eat at the next gas station. A few miles down the road, I spot a small gas station and decide to pull over. The moment I open the car door, I feel the heat of the sun on my skin and a breeze blowing through my raven black hair. Much warmer than my home town is.

I roll up my sleeves as I walk to the door. I notice the store clerk and two customers. I greet them and walk up to the fridge to get something to drink. I glance up at the security mirror above the fridges and see that the clerk looks concerned, and her hands are in the air as if she's surrendering.

I take the first drink I can get my hands on without even looking and walk to where the action is to get a closer look at what is going on. The two guys turn around, looking at me. As I get closer, one of them pulls out a gun and points it at me while yelling;

"Hey you, stop right there. That's close enough! Come any closer, and I'll give you a new hole in your face. You got that?!"

The other robber points his knife at the clerk and says to her;

"Empty the cash register and make it quick. Let's go! Come on! What's taking so long?"

I notice the fear on the young woman's face. The fear is causing her not to focus and get the cash out of the register. If I don't do something right now, they will shoot her. These robbers won't leave witnesses behind. I decide that I have to do something and do it quickly. Then I say to the robbers;

"Stay calm. You are scaring the young lady. Just let her finish with getting the cash you want, and then you can be on your way, okay?"

The gun-wielding robber turns his attention on me and says;

"Why don't you just SHUT UP?! And mind your own business? Who made you the captain of the feelings police anyway?"

While they are focusing on me, I suddenly look at the door and scream;

"NO, DON'T COME IN!"

Both of the robbers turn their attention to the door to see who's there. I take the can of cooldrink and throw it at the knife-wielding robber's head. At the same time, I grab the gun from the second robber's hand with so much force that I feel how I break his wrist while twisting the firearm out of his hand. The robber drops to the floor, screaming in pain. Then the second robber points his knife at me. I look at him with the gun in my hand, saying;

"Drop the knife and get down on the floor."

"That gun isn't even loaded, funny man. What are you going to do now?"

I take out my gun in the back of my pants and say;

"Oh, yeah? But this one is so drop the knife and get down on the floor."

I turn to the young lady behind the counter, and she says;

"Thank you so much. You saved my life. Thank you!"

"It's not over yet. Call 911 and let emergency services know that a Detective is on scene and they need to send medical assistance as fast as possible, please."

While she is calling the Sheriff, I take out my cuffs, walk over to the first robber and cuff his hands behind his back while the second robber screams at me;

"You broke my hand, you asshole. What the fuck, man, my wrist, aw it's broken. The gun wasn't even loaded man, why did you do that? Aw!"

"You made me do it. You pointed a gun at a member of the public and tried to rob the store. If you don't like your wrist broken, then maybe you should find a job and stop robbing people for a living. Didn't you hear that crime doesn't pay?"

"Fuck you, Mr. Detective! You don't know how it's like living here, okay."

"Save it for the judge. Just sit tight because the EMS is on their way."

The sirens get closer until the Sheriff arrives on the scene. The Sheriff stops at the gas station and gets out of his car. He walks over to the shop, and as he opens the door, he says while looking me straight in the eyes.

"And what the hell is going on here, Rambo?"

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