Divide and Conquer Volume One, Page 2

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  Eric popped the door locks with his slim jim. The Volkswagen wasn't his car of choice but it was better than driving his own car into the neighborhood. After fiddling with the ignition wires the car fired up. He pulled onto the street, on his way to the garage where his car was parked.

  This late at night, the deserted streets were a blessing. With no traffic to fight, he would be home in no time. He flicked on the radio and fiddled with the stations till he found some Motown, his dad’s music. James Brown and Aretha Franklin were always present in Eric’s childhood home. Even now, he thought of his dad when he heard it.

  He parked on the far side of the garage, away from the cameras. They could catch him getting into his car though he didn't want to be placed with the Volkswagen. He found his Impala right where he left it. Didn't expect anything different, but it could happen.

  A life of paranoia taught him a few things. A big lesson, he never got into his car without doing a quick sweep. Placing car bombs in the past taught him to be cautious. The distributor cap was in the trunk, left there before he went to meet George. Nice thing about these older cars, it was pretty easy to disable them and deter thieves. He swore by the adage, you can’t steal a car you can’t start.

  The beast fired up with a roar. Sure, the car was old, but the modifications to it ensured he would never get rid of it. The armor plating built into the body did little for the gas mileage but the protection was worth it.

  Eric gunned it through the garage, Aretha Franklin blasting through the speakers. The Impala’s tires squealed as they tore into the pavement. After a short drive, he pulled into his private garage and locked the beast up behind him.

  "Where ya been?" Jessica woke up when he opened the front door. She slept on the couch, never was able to sleep without him. She had moved in two years ago, adjusted to his schedule no questions asked.

  He hung his coat up, removed his shoes, sat on the edge of the couch. "Needed to meet with George," he said. "Took the bastard forever to get there." He brushed her hair away from her eyes. "You didn't need to wait up."

  "I didn't, fell asleep watching TV." She pulled him in for a kiss. "I missed you."

  "Bedtime?"

  "Yep."