The Snake

by Mike McHone

About the Author: Mike McHone's short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune, Guilty, Shotgun Honey, Tough, and are forthcoming in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

Excerpt

“I want you to listen because this is the only time I’m going to say it. You don’t think you can go through with this, you think you’re going to crack up when the cops come, I walk. Hear me? And before you think to ask, no, you won’t get your down payment back. Period. The five grand—Wait … Hold on. Waitress is coming …”

“Morning, gents. How’re you two doing today?”

“Good, good.”

“Are you ready to order?”

“I am. You, David?”

“Uh, sure.”

“Alrighty, what can I get you?”

“I’ll have the bacon and eggs, eggs over easy, wheat toast, and coffee, please.”

“Take cream and sugar?”

“Cream and Splenda, if you got it.”

“We do … And for you, Mr. David?”

“I’ll just have coffee.”

“Cream and sugar for you?”

“Black’s fine.”

“Okee doke. I’ll get that right in for you gentleman. Holler if you need anything else.”

“Thank you … Like I said, the five-grand is mine to keep. From here on out, the hard part falls on you. Cops are going to look high and low into your past, business deals, Internet history, phone call and text history. I already asked you this in our emails, but I need to make sure. When you reached out, you did it in a safe browser setting, right? VPN, incognito, the whole bit?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re sure?”

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