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Recon

Hector Ramos

    Matthew’s forehead was well acquainted with his hair at this point and the man before him still spoke of the nice weather they’ve had this summer.
    “Noah, please. Enough with the recap already, we’re only wasting time here.” Noah halted the path of his martini to his lips and swirled the concoction before placing it once again in front of him.
    “Matthew, I’m appalled. I thought you were trained better. You and I both know that when you disturb a man’s retirement, you should be more polite and grateful that he even considered taking the time to speak with you. What would your mother think?” Noah shifted forward to stare at Matthew with a left sided smirk.
    “It doesn’t matter what my mother thinks about my manners as we both know she’s been dead for twelve years. Now, Noah, please cut the crap. Are you going to help me, or did I use a full tank of gas and probably break several traffic laws to sit here with a washed up old man and talk about the weather?” Matthew slammed his fist on the table between them, drops of gin jumped and hit the table, pooling around the rim of the glass.
    “You’ve let the job get to you, Matt,” Noah chuckled. “You didn’t use to be this much of a hard ass.” Noah reached over the side of the generic furniture the hotel had on the patios. He slipped out a manila envelope and glided it across to Matthew. “You know, just because you’ve been in the business eight years doesn’t mean you know better than I do, Matt. Just means you finally reached the point where killing becomes second nature.”
    “If I wanted a lesson, Noah, I would have stayed with my ex-wife, the college professor.” Matthew unclasped the envelope and spreads the pictures on the glass surface, two copies of each, on in black and white, the other in full color. Matthew lined them up by the date shown in the lower left corner.
    “By the way, how is Melissa?” Noah studied the olive before taking a sip. “She always was too curious for her own good, don’t you agree?” Noah bit into the olive and the juices glossed his lips.
    “She’s fine. How did you get these pictures?” Matthew held out a few to show Noah. “They are crystal clear and don’t have anything even remotely obscuring them.” Matthew held a photo of a dark haired man fumbling with his keys to open a sleek SUV.
    “It wounds me that you doubt my skills and accuracy. Remind me who it was that taught you the best ways to observe someone?” Matthew narrowed his eyes at Noah’s ever present smirk. “Matthew, I really hope these help you.”
    “They will once we can fully analyze them. This has been a big help, Noah. Thank you.” Matthew got up to leave, the photos tucked under his arm, and headed to the door.
    “Oh, one more thing, Matt, this is the last thing I’m doing for them. All favors have been cashed out and I’m done. After you walk out that door, I’m going underground.” Noah laid the bare toothpick on the glass and stood up as well.
    “Good for you. It’s about time you got a real vacation and don’t worry, I’ll let them know you’re out.”
    Matthew passed by the two full beds and was out the door.
    He raced down the steps towards his car.
    Bang! Bang!
    Glass shattered and a woman began screaming nearby. A group of workers in uniform rushed passed Matthew and up the stairs. Matthew studied his loafers as he reached the parking lot. Sirens blared from the distance and an engine roared as it raced down the street.
    Matthew reached over the passenger’s seat and pulled out a bottle of gin from bag atop the photos. One hand on the wheel, Matthew opened the bottle and took a swig.
    “Enjoy your vacation, old man.”

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