The Pizza Job: To Go

by Brian Silverman

About the Author: Brian Silverman is the author of numerous short stories and the acclaimed first novel, Freedom Drop. His stories have been published in Mystery Tribune, Mystery Magazine, Down and Out Magazine and Vautrin. He has had stories published in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2018, and the Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories of 2021 as well as "notable" story in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2019.

Excerpt

He hid in the darkness. No one could see his eyes where he was. And that was a good thing. In a world of green, brown, and red eyes, his blue eyes stood out. They always got him in trouble. Sunglasses were part of his usual attire especially when on a job. Not now though. It was dark—too dark for sunglasses. He was taking a big risk exposing himself. This whole operation was a risk—one he had to take. This was a special job. If he could pull it off his reputation would be cemented as one of the greats. He would be the stuff of lore. But that was if he ever decided to share his feat with the others. Broadcast his accomplishment. Toot his own horn. And he had no intention of doing any of that. To the contrary, he was adamant that no one must ever know about this. It was essential that he keep it quiet. His low profile was his reputation. His privacy was his creed. He wasn’t doing this for his ego. This was about survival.

He was on his own now and he kind of liked it that way. His woman was gone. She upped and left him. What kind of female just takes off leaving her babies? He was bad. He did bad things. But he would never desert his babies. He cared for them. A single dad. The jobs he did were for them. But it was too long between scores. His babies were hungry. He was hungry. He needed a big one. He needed this.

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