Miller and Bell

by Victor Kreuiter

About the Author: Victor Kreuiter has published fiction in Sou'wester, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Literally Stories, Halfway Down the Stairs, and has an upcoming piece in Del Sol Review.

Excerpt

Dutch Miller listened for as long as he could stomach it. There were three of them sitting in Deena Hoke’s cramped living room, listening to her drone on and on. Miller had been lured with the story of fast work and a big take. Deena’d been hyping the thing for over an hour and the longer she went on the less likely it sounded. Miller didn’t know the other two guys, was unfamiliar with the city where it would happen and was unsure about the target. As she prattled on about how easy and rewarding it would be he made up his mind: it was a wild goose chase.

He stood up and stretched, his move to show he was going to leave. She looked at him, scowled, and pointed a finger.

“Sit down, Dutch. Now.”

He didn’t sit down. He frowned, stared at her, walked to Deena, hung his head—wanting to appear contrite—and said “Sorry Deena. I’m out.” He didn’t want to make a scene, didn’t want any drama, but was no longer interested. Decision final.

He hadn’t seen Deena Hoke in years and hadn’t ever really known her well. He looked into her eyes, shrugged out an apology, and was turning toward the door when she grabbed his arm. “You’re not leaving,” she said. She leaned closer until they were face to face. “Nobody’s quitting. Not now, not after you’ve heard the plan.” Was it a threat? It took him a second to realize she’d threatened him. He wondered how Deena Hoke had convinced herself she had the stones to do that.

And she’d touched him. Dutch Miller did not like being touched.

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