Page 92 of Reeves

“Anything wrong?”

“My truck.” He turns in a slow circle, checking the surrounding rows. “It’s not here.”

I glance toward the empty stretch of pavement, then back at him.

“Are you sure this is the right spot?”

“Positive. I always park in the shade when I can.”

He moves between the cars, checking plates and peering through windows like it might appear if he looks hard enough. The ease from a minute ago disappears, replaced by something sharper.

That’s when I see the sign.

“Shiiiiiiiit,” I say under my breath, then clamp a hand over my mouth, glancing toward Benjy.

I point toward the entrance of the access road where a metal post holds a bright yellow warning sign.

We walk over together.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY TOW AWAY ZONE – STRICTLY ENFORCED. VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED AT THE OWNER’S EXPENSE

TWENTY-ONE

Reeves

The Cut:The moment the dirge breaks open and becomes something else entirely. The band does not announce it. They simply know.

The empty spacestares back at me. There's no mistake, no confusion. I parked my truck here, walked down to the beach, and now it's gone.

I walk the row one more time, checking between a white sedan and a red pickup like I might be wrong, or it's somehow in a different spot. But I know. It's been fucking towed.

The yellow sign mocks me from the entrance. Emergency vehicles only. How did I fucking miss that? I was so focused on getting out to Benjy that I must have had tunnel vision.

I pull out my phone and dial the number printed at the bottom of the sign. It rings four times before someone picks up.

"Gulf Coast Towing."

"Yeah, my truck was towed from the beach access on Magnolia. Black Hummer. I need to pick it up."

"Hold on, let me check the log." Papers rustle in thebackground. "Yeah, got it. Came in around three thirty this afternoon. You can pick it up tomorrow morning when we open."

"Tomorrow? What time do you open?"

"Eight AM sharp."

"I need it tonight. Can someone meet me at the gate?"

"Sorry, no after-hours service. Yard's locked up tight."

My jaw tightens. "Look, I've got places to be. How much is the fee? I'll pay double to get it tonight."

"Sir, I understand your frustration, but the facility is closed. We don't meet after hours, I'm sorry."

"My keys are in the glove box. They better still be there when I show up tomorrow."

"Everything stays exactly where it is. The lot's gated and monitored. Your keys will be right where you left them."

The line goes dead.