Two detectives, one relentless coffee shop bandit, and a late-night stakeout that’s about to turn dangerously personal.
A Double Shot of Trouble
Matt Sims shifted in the driver’s seat of the rusted sedan, the cold vinyl peeling through his jeans. Beside him, Rocky Thomas unwrapped his third lukewarm breakfast sandwich, the scent of greasy bacon filling the fogged-up cab.
Through the rain-streaked windshield, the neon sign of the Coffee and Go flickered in the dead of night—a bright, desperate island in an otherwise sleeping strip mall.
“He’s not coming, Matt,” Rocky mumbled around a mouthful of egg. “Four nights on this corner. Zilch.”
“He’ll come,” Matt said, his eyes locked on the front counter visible through the glass. “This is the fifth shop along Route 9. Patterns don’t lie. He works east to west.”
Right on cue at 3:14 AM, a tall figure in a dark hooded slicker stepped out of the drizzle and pushed open the glass door.
Matt tapped Rocky’s shoulder. “Look.”
Inside, the lone barista turned around. The rain-slicked figure slipped a gloved hand into his heavy jacket pocket. Though they couldn’t hear the exchange through the glass, the young barista’s hands immediately shot into the air.
“That’s him,” Rocky whispered, dropping his wrapper.
They watched as the barista panicked, dumping stacks of twenties from the register into a brown paper bag. Then, right on script, the barista turned to the commercial machine, pulling a double shot into a small paper cup.
“All your cash and a double shot of espresso to go.” The bandit’s infamous signature.
Matt reached for his door handle, thumb resting on his holster. “On three. We cut off the exit.”
“Wait—he’s looking right at us,” Rocky hissed.
The bandit turned toward the rain-slicked parking lot, clutching the steaming cup. Beneath the dripping hood, a flash of recognition crossed his face—or was it a smirk? He didn’t run for the alley. Instead, he stepped out into the rain and walked straight toward their car.
What happens next? How does Matt and Rocky’s stakeout end? Write the final lines in the comments below!
