***
McKenzie woke feeling less than refreshed, but anxious to hit the pavement and get the case moving forward. John eyed him with concern, noting the dark circles, but said nothing as they went through their morning routines and prepared for the day ahead.
“So I guess the first stop is the son’s house, see if he’s there and what’s going on with him?” John spoke up as he examined the maps around Bobby’s house, zooming in on the small yard through the satellite images.
“Sounds about right. We’ll need to check if any of the kid’s belongings are lyin’ around, especially the mighty cell phones they seemed to have detached from.”
“Figured as much.”
McKenzie put his Glock G17 on his hip and strapped a smaller Glock G26 pistol against the base of his back. Both weapons were 9 mm and both had the famous “Safe Action” trigger system which permits a round to be safely carried in the chamber with the weapon instantly ready to fire without having to worry about using the slide or fumbling with a safety.
John put the laptop in its leather case and added the third gun, another G26, to the bag. McKenzie grabbed the small satchel and tossed in extra ammo, tape, rope, a lock pick kit, binoculars, and other random items he used to complete his “detective gear.”
Back in the truck, they headed to the low rent neighborhood of houses too close together, white paint flaking off the siding, overgrown grass, and cars that looked like they should be up on blocks rather than driving around.
“How did Rob’s kid end up a ‘bad side of the town’ guy?” McKenzie grimaced as he glanced around the rundown area, feeling alert and uncomfortable. A beat up pit bull sitting on the curb characterized the neighborhood. He looked like he’d just love for either man to get out of the truck while in his territory.
“I think it happened after his divorce. Looking through what Rob sent to us by email, she took all she could and left him high and dry. The kid had a bit of a drinking and gambling problem, and seemed to spiral downhill after that.”
“Damn, see, that’s why I don’t get married, they drive you right over the edge!”
“To be fair, I think you would be the one driving anyone over an edge and I’m pretty sure you have to have a woman in your life to marry one.” John smiled at McKenzie, “I mean for more than just one night.”
McKenzie laughed, shaking his head. John knew him too well, but he was the only one that did. McKenzie had a habit of not letting people get close, but everyone had their reasons and he had his. He just wasn’t sure what they were.
The Old Farts In Miami Page 6