“Maybe you could sell something? Your truck? Or sell the car.”
“No way! That’s the sweetest ride in the state. I’m not selling.”
“So what are you gonna do? Save up for it?”
“Shit, I don’t know. It’s gonna take forever!” Nick heard something thump, over the background music and chatter, like Sam had hit the table. “Gotta get it somehow.”
“Second job?”
“I wish. There’s no work ’round here. Fucking Obama killed the jobs.”
“Then what? Knock over a bank?” Charlie’s tone made it clear he was joking.
“Yeah, no. Not that crazy. Yet.”
“Don’t want to get that sheriff on your tail. Although I wouldn’t mind her on my tail, ya know.”
Nick bit his lip. Jesus, Charlie, over the top?
Or maybe not, because Sam said, “That’s all the bitch is good for, and she’s too sour and dried up to even be a decent fuck. Can’t believe the fuckheads who voted for her.”
“I guess they wanted a change.”
“Yeah? Well you don’t put a fucking girl in a man’s job. They’re seein’ that now. When we get a new sheriff in, then we’ll see some changes.”
“Won’t help get your car fixed, though.”
“Fuck. No.” There was a pause. Nick imagined the two men drinking their beers. He took a swig from his thermos of coffee.
Charlie said, “There’s got to be something you can do to earn a few bucks.”
After a hesitation, Sam said, “Maybe. I dunno. Might be something I can try. Shit. Shit!”
There was a rustling sound. Then Charlie said, “I gotta go. My old lady’s got me on a short leash. Kid cries all the time, and she says it’s my job to look after it too.”
Sam chuckled. “Women. I tell you. They get the ring and the kid and they own your ass. Come on. One more drink.”
“I can’t. If I have one more, I can’t drive, and then she’ll really kick me to the couch.” Another rustle. “Good luck with the money. I hope you figure something out.”
“Yeah. Right. You gonna be back ’round tomorrow?”
“If the ball and chain lets me. See ya.” From the sounds, Charlie was moving through the bar, then the background sounds went away. Nick saw him come out the front door, head to his car and drive off without looking around.
A couple of minutes later his phone rang. “Hey, did you get that?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah. Too bad, so sad about the Mustang. Why’d you leave. He was getting loosened up.”
“Letting him stew on it. Seems like, as long as he has someone to bitch to about it, all he does is complain. And I’m sick of hearing it. Let’s see what he does now his audience is gone.”
“Okay.” The last two nights with Charlie, Sam had drunk himself under the table and ended up needing a ride home. Charlie had obliged and Sam had been grateful, but too out of it to say anything useful. “You don’t want to drive him home again?” They’d hoped he’d spill secrets the next time around.
“I’ll head back in half an hour, if he doesn’t come out. I’ll tell him the wife drove me to drink.”
“Does Lori know she’s getting a rep?”
“All in a good cause. She understands an acting job.”
“I guess.” Nick noted Charlie seemed quick to deflect criticism of her lately. Not his business, though. “You doing okay with the alcohol you’ve had to drink?”
“Yes, Mother. I told you, I’m off the hard drugs, and I’m good at stretching a beer.”
“Sam’s not. Don’t wait too long. If he comes through that door and he’s clearly too smashed to be safe on the road, I’ll have to call it in.”
“I know.”
Nick called Brian and added him to a three-way conversation. They talked randomly about day-to-day shit while Nick kept his eye on the bar. A few people came and went, but Sam wasn’t among them. None of Sam’s friends showed up either. That was good. It meant he was sitting in a bar on a weeknight, broke, with a grudge, and no support. Maybe he’d tip over into action at last.
Eventually, Charlie finished a rambling description of how he thought little Josh might’ve smiled for real today. “Okay, time. Going back in. More beer.”
Brian said, “The sacrifices you make.”
Charlie laughed. “This place has crap beer.”
“Oh, well then, poor you. Nick, good luck with the surveillance. I hope something pans out.” Brian hesitated, cleared his throat, and Nick was expecting the obligatory “stay safe” or “be careful,” but Brian said, “I’m so glad you guys are pros and know