Part 4

Here are parts 1, 2, and 3 of an ongoing work of fiction from Football Fullback's brain, just to catch you up because I know it's been awhile. (edit: the links are contained within the numbers, I'm afraid this particular template doesn't make that obvious) Continuing on from there:

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Intrigued and glad for the business, Sam rose to greet the man. “Name’s Max Thomas, sir.” Sam shook his hand, introduced himself, and then offered the man a seat.

Max took his seat and remained silent for a moment as if contemplating whether to say what he knew must be said. Sam wished he knew what was going through the mind of this obviously troubled man. The look in his eyes had softened from that of fear to one of confusion before turning downward and scanning as if to postpone the inevitable. The eyes locked on the coffee stain.

Embarrassed by the blatant oversight, Sam made a mental note to move “rearrange the furniture” a little closer to the top of his To Do list.

The man looked up, sighed heavily, and spoke in a hushed tone.

“It actually all started ‘round this time last year”.

Sam leaned forward to listen.

“I had been off on a business trip and was on my way home,” Max continued. “I was about halfway home from the airport when I realized that the same car had been behind me since I left the airport. Now it’s a 3-hour drive one-way so he’d been back there for a good piece of time. It had dropped a few car lengths behind me for awhile, but then he was back. At first I dismissed it as just another commuter who was going the same place I was. But as I approached my home, he was still there. And as I pulled into my driveway, he pulled to a stop in the middle of the road and stared at my house. Well now, by this time I was really curious, so I walked toward him but he drove away.”

Sam wrinkled his brow. “Are you aware of any reason why you may be followed?”

“No, sir. Not that I know of, anyhow.”

“How many were in the car?”

“As far as I can tell just one, but I didn’t get that good of a look.”

“Can you describe this one?”

“Yessir. He had short black hair, sunglasses, and you know? He had these really huge ears.” Max laughed. “I mean, he had some really HUGE ears! I woulda died laughin’ if I hadn’t of been worried about him followin’ me home! But them ears….”

“I’m sorry sir,” Sam interrupted with a grin, the ice broken. “I don’t doubt his ears were indeed enormous, but …if you don’t mind, continue your story.”

Max blushed. “Oh, yes, of course, sir!” He cleared his throat before continuing.

“Anyway. Life goes on, you know. And I forgot about the whole thing. But then I was coming home yesterday and the same car was outside my house again. And the same driver. I reckon he knows my car, ‘cause when I turned onto my street, he took off like a bat outta hell.”

Sam nodded, taking notes.

“So anyway, I had to go in and check on my girl. I got a 14 year old at the house, her mama’s away on a business trip herself. Very busy woman, my wife. Never home, it seems. So my girl was home alone. Had to check on my girl…” His voice trailed off.

Sam sat quietly as he watched a tear slowly roll down the man’s cheek and land on the floor.