36. “Breakeven”

36

"brEAKEVEN"

THE SCRIPT

I could see something looked "off" as I approached my Jeep, but it wasn't until I saw how low the door handle was that I realized the issue. My front driver-side tire was flat. When I saw the slash across the top of the tire, I felt like I'd been dumped in cold, electrified water. It didn't feel random anymore. I took pictures and called 911. Again. Luckily, my dad had taught me how to change a flat tire before I was allowed to get my driver's license, so while I waited for the police officer to arrive, I got the tire switched out with the spare on the back. I was parked up against the bushes again, a mistake I wouldn't make a third time.

"You again?" came a voice from behind me as I stowed the jack in its compartment in the back.

I turned to find Officer Alcott standing behind me in street clothes and a baseball cap. "Me again. Apparently, I have a secret admirer."

He pushed his aviator sunglasses up further on his nose. "Apparently. The report came in from dispatch, and I was at the café so I figured I'd walk over. Didn't expect to find a repeat performance. I think you might be right; this doesn't seem to be a random occurrence anymore. Let me get your statement so you can salvage the rest of your day. After we're done here, I'm going to head over to the office building on the other side of those bushes. Maybe they've got some cameras up, but I'm not too hopeful, considering whoever did this felt comfortable enough to do it twice. In broad daylight, no less."

"I'd really love to know who is doing this. I haven't even been here long enough to piss anyone off, so I'm stumped, and if I'm being honest, I'm starting to get a little nervous. Not to mention, this is getting expensive!"

"I wish I had answers for you now, but I will do my best to find some. You didn't happen to take a picture before you changed the tire, did you?"

"I did. I can email it to you."

He handed me another business card and I quickly sent the photo off to him.

His phone dinged from his pocket. "Thank you. I'm sorry this happened again. I can assure you, Clearwater and Dunedin are relatively boring as far as petty crime goes—any crime, really. I've got one of the most cushy jobs in town next to the snow plow driver."

"You've got… oh, I see what you did there."

"Just trying to lighten the mood. I'll let you get on your way, but I'll be in touch as soon as I hear anything."

"I appreciate that. Thank you for coming by so quickly."

"My pleasure. Talk soon."

I climbed into the Jeep after he sauntered off.

"What the hell is going on here?" I muttered as I rolled my windows down to let the hot air escape.

I didn't expect an answer, but it would only take a week for one to materialize.