No Ordinary Day by Tate, Harley (life changing books txt) 📗

been scrupulous, keeping his prior jobs a name and a face and nothing more. An anonymous other he could snuff out with no remorse, no regret.

A mark in Bolivia with more money than brains had been his most recent hit. Shot him square between the eyes while he stood buck naked, about to jump into his swimming pool. Before that? Some were obviously bad. The drug dealer in Tijuana. The pedophile with a little black book. But others…

That banker in New York. The journalist in San Jose. They were ordinary people living ordinary lives until John came along. His stomach soured. What he used to think was the perfect job maybe wasn’t so perfect after all.

Something cold and wet smeared across his hand and John looked down to find Tank standing between the seats. He scratched the dog between the ears. “Yeah, I need some air, too, buddy.”

He opened the door, stepped out, and Tank scrambled after. As the German shepherd disappeared into the dark, John shut the door and leaned against the side of the SUV. After a few minutes, Tank came loping back to sit beside him.

John stared out at the darkness, eyes open, saying nothing until he couldn’t take it anymore. “Sorry I was willing to leave you. It was wrong.” He gave the dog another scratch. Tank leaned in and nuzzled his hand. John smiled.

John handed Emma a bottle of water as she yawned and stretched. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“What time is it?” The first rays of sun filtered through the windshield as Emma squinted at her watch. “Oh my gosh! John! You said you would wake me up at one.”

“I couldn’t sleep.” Tank stuck his snout between the seats and John gave his head a scratch. “And I think this guy would’ve let us know if someone was snooping.”

Emma stared. Holly leaned forward and gave Tank a good belly rub. The dog hopped off the console and back into the backseat. “Who’s a good dog? You’re a good dog. Yes, you are.” She ruffled the fur along his neck and Tank leaned into Holly. She smiled up at John. “I knew you wouldn’t be mad. It just took you a little while to warm up.”

John grudgingly agreed. “I admit he’s useful.” He gave the dog another pat. He’d needed the night to collect his thoughts and plan a way out of this morass he’d fallen into. Tank had been by his side throughout the night, keeping him company and keeping him sane.

It all hinged around reaching Sanchez. He could still complete the mission. Still do the job. Emma just had to lead him there. Everything else would work out. Somehow.

Holly pointed at the cars still clogging the road. “I can’t believe everyone is still here.”

She had a point. Not a single car had moved. People didn’t adapt well to change. John motioned toward the back. “We should load up as much food as possible. Leave the rest.”

Emma picked up her dress shoes from the floorboard and waggled them in the air. “Any chance we can walk to my place? It’s a bit out-of-the-way, but—”

He cut her off.  “We can’t be far from a business area. We can find a store and pick you up some shoes.”

“He’s a bit bossy, but he’s all right.” Holly said the words loud enough for John to hear as she rubbed Tank’s fur. The dog thumped his tail against the seat and John smiled until he caught himself.

This job was getting harder by the minute. He opened the door and set about gathering food and supplies, shoving as much as possible into his messenger bag. Emma repurposed the backpack cooler, tossing out the warm ice packs and filling it with shelf-stable options. Holly did the same with her duffel, leaving a few items of clothing and a pair of boots behind.

After a quick breakfast, they headed north beside the highway. It didn’t take long for them to fall into a rhythm, with Holly talking about high school and her favorite actors and bands and Emma listening. Tank wove between them all, while John stayed silent.

In a conversation lull, John pointed ahead. “First exit, we’ll head into town and hopefully get lucky.”

Both women nodded before veering off into a debate about some book he’d never heard of. John pulled out his phone and typed in the password. Only one message.

He clicked it. Confirmed. Sanchez is necessary.

“Do you have a signal?” Emma leaned closer.

John turned the phone off and slipped it back into his pocket. “No, I was just checking. There should be cell towers pretty frequently. I thought one might still be operational, you never know.”

Emma seemed satisfied, and after a moment, turned back to Holly. He would have to be more careful. She didn’t miss much. An exit sign loomed ahead, listing half a dozen food options and just as many gas stations. “Looks like we’re coming up on a solid business area. With any luck, there will be a store with shoes.”

Encouraged, Emma tried to pick up the pace as they walked down the exit ramp and away from the endless line of parked cars.

The first gas station stood dark and empty on the corner. The second as well. No lights in McDonalds or Wendy’s. John adjusted his bag. So much for options. If nothing was open…

“Look up there,” Holly offered. “All those cars in the lot. Something has to be open.”

John squinted against the morning sun. She was right. Up ahead, at least twenty cars filled a small parking lot with a few lining the street queuing to turn in. He couldn’t make out the sign.

Holly craned her head forward. “R-Ritchie’s Sporting Goods.” She clasped her hands together in excitement and turned to Emma. “They’ll have shoes for sure.”

“It looks like a madhouse.” Emma cast a wary glance John’s way. “Are we sure that’s the best option?”

“So far, it’s the only option.” John sped up, pleased to have something to focus on besides his unfinished assignment.

As