Freddo's Food Truck

  Dave stares at the hotdog, with gratuitously dripping chili sauce, which the smiling street vendor hands to him. The chili piled on top of the processed cold cut looks positively heart attack inducing. Dave smiles back and folds the foil more tightly around his food. He probably won't be eating it.

  However, Detective Mackey enthusiastically chows down on his own heaping chili dog. More than half of the hotdog is gone between only two bites. Mackey glances over at Dave and smirks.

  The two law enforcement officers wander away from Freddo's food truck, heading for Mackey's Crown Vic. The detective waits until they are out of hearing range before addressing Dave. There is laughter in James' voice.

  "You're not gonna eat that, Dave?"

  "Of course, I'm going to eat it!" Dave replies. "You keep your greedy paws over there! I paid four dollars for this hotdog."

  "So? I bought you coffee and donuts," Mackey says.

  "So what? I ate one donut. And I didn't even drink the damn coffee."

  "You shouldn't waste food, Dave. Although, from your appearance...I can assume that isn't a usual occurrence. Unless, you only enjoy eating from the fingers of your oh so sweet honey bear!"

  Dave's eyes widen and his jaw clenches. He stops walking and points a pudgy index finger at Detective Mackey.

  "Stop it! Just stop it right there," Dave orders, his nostrils flaring.

  "Why? You think I don't know why you came barging into the station like a raging bull? You and your honey bear are having...Relationship issues."

  "You don't know that!" Dave hisses.

  "Actually, I do. I dropped by your place this morning to tell you about the death of Bridget's father. And who should I see leaving your beautiful rustic home...Looking scrumptious as ever? I swear, Dave. You should be glad I wasn't Sheriff Northrop making a surprise visit. Seeing his daughter walk out of your house, with most of her goodies on display, would not have been the highlight of his day. Although, it was mine."

  Dave's mouth twitches as he unhappily digests Mackey's unprovoked diatribe. Had Hazel really left in such a hurry that she'd barely taken the time to properly dress? Or is this insane city kid pulling his leg again?

  "Ms. Northrop was in such a hurry to leave that she didn't notice my car parked at the bottom of your driveway. Of course, I had my lights off and was hunkered down. But still. Very inattentive of her. Well, anyway. After deciding that wasn't the time to give you bad news, I returned to the station. By the way, what did you do to make Hazel leave in such haste? Especially, so early in the morning?"

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  "Why don't you just shut up and butt out of my personal life?" Dave rages, face reddening.

  "Sorry. Can't do that," Mackey counters. "Sheriff Northrop wants us working closely together. What affects you, affects me. And this case. You wouldn't want to upset the sheriff, now would ya? Huh, Dave?"

  "You're a self-righteous snake, James Mackey! You know that?"

  "Sure do. Last time, I checked."

  "Ergh!" Dave growls. "I'm going to go see Bridget Davis' husband. You can go see that Mike character if you want to. I've had enough with the games. I want to find that murdering son of a bitch...This Aquarius. And I'm not gonna do that standing around here eating greasy chili dogs."

  With another growl, Dave tosses his four-dollar chili dog into a nearby trashcan. He stalks toward his pickup truck, rather than walk to Mackey's Crown Victoria. Detective Mackey rushes to catch up, surprised that Dave can move so quickly considering his size and bulk.

  "Dave, stop acting like a little girl. We're cops, for crying out loud! We're supposed to bust each other's balls and make light of things. How else do you get through the crap we have to see all day?" Mackey says.

  Deputy Newsome whirls on his police officer companion. Mackey stops sprinting in time to not plow into Dave.

  "Maybe that's how you people do things in Castleton. Or wherever in the hell you come from? But not in Merrville County!"

  "You're being a prick, Dave! And it's all because I saw your little honey bear sneaking away from your place at close to four in the morning. You're angry. That's fair. You wish I hadn't been there. That's fine. But going off like a freight train to badger witnesses won't help. Maybe you should just come clean. Tell her father about your little rendezvous. Get everything out in the open."

  "Hazel wouldn't like that. I've approached her about it before. I made the mistake of trying to indirectly propose to her last night. It didn't go over well. She blamed this case. I think it's just me. She's holding out for her ex. She thinks he'll come to the light and renounce his habitual cheating. She doesn't know just how many women he's cheated on her with. I do. I have deep feelings for Hazel. I want to protect her. Because of this case. I think I love her, James."

  Detective Mackey's eyes narrow and he twists his mouth to one side. Studying Dave very closely, James offers his temporary partner a snide grin.

  "That wasn't so hard...Now was it, Dave? Now, we can go question our witnesses. Since the smoke has finally cleared."

  Dave rolls his eyes and sweeps his hand toward the direction of his pickup. James grumbles but goes along with the program.

  "I wish the wheels would fall off of this thing! My car is easier on the gas, the eyes, and the environment," Mackey says.

  "We've been driving around in your squished sedan for two days. I need room to move. Now get in the damn truck, Mackey. Before I change my mind."

  "Fine. You fat bastard!"

  "What did you just call me?" Dave exclaims.

  "I said...Freddo forgot the mustard again. That man is always forgetting something."

  "You had a chili dog, James!" Dave says, staring over the truck's top at Detective Mackey. "Mustard isn't considered standard."

  "I always get mustard on my chili dogs," Mackey says, staring back. "Get with the times, Dave. Jeez."

  Detective Mackey climbs into the truck and shuts his door. Dave peers up at the sky and mutters softly.

  "Please. Let us catch this son of a bitch. And please help me to not kill Detective Mackey!"

  "I heard that!" Mackey yells.

  "I don't care!" Dave retorts, climbing behind the wheel.