Eldridge pulled up to the Swinging Sparrow, an old-style American drive-in dinner. Though parking spots still held the intercoms, it was clear they were no longer in use given the faded menus on display. On some of them you could even make out a few of the words to their signature burgers like the Big Bobby Burger. It has been over a decade since they served such delicacies, having transformed into a toasted sandwich joint a few years prior.

Eldridge and most of the police knew it was a front for some of the shadier aspects of the town. The problem was they keep things above ground as far as anyone can investigate. Eventually they will slip up, but that is a problem for another time.

Eldridge’s target this time is his snitch, Soren. A small-time fence and owner of the joint who has his hands in many pies. Eldridge has arrested the man a few times over the years, though nothing has yet to really stick.

Eldridge nodded to the server as he headed around the corner twice to stop in front of Soren’s little nook. The Italian man’s eyes widened slightly as he took in Eldridge’s uniform. A small smile cracked on Eldridge’s face as he realized in his rush he’s yet to change out of his blood-soaked mess.

“Soren my friend,” Eldridge began with a jovial tone as he pulled up a chair from a nearby table and straddled it. “I hope life’s been treating you well.”

Soren paused for a long moment before he spoke. “Eldridge, I thought we talked about this. I’m done, out.” The dark-haired man said as he scooted slightly back into the booth.

Eldridge laughed a little bit before he spoke again. “Soren, it’s been a long day and honestly I would rather we skip these little pleasantries. I have places to be, you have places to go, we all have things to do. All I’m looking for is some information on who would be in the market for a stolen laptop.”

Soren’s gaze darted towards the blood then back towards Eldridge before he spoke again.

“Like I said, I am out of the game these days. It’s just getting too hot in the town such that a small lad like me might get hurt.”

Eldridge’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he took in the well-built average sized man before him.

“Wait,” Soren said, his hands going up. “That doesn’t mean I might not be able to help you. I still hear rumors. As much as I’ve tried to hide from them in the shadows.”

“Soren, the town’s been far more riled in the past than it is now,” Eldridge said with a sigh letting Soren know he wasn’t buying the story. “We all remember the shoot out a few years back. So, forgive me if I don’t buy the thread you're spinning.”

“Eldridge, I like you man.” Soren replied. “You’re one of the more honest ones.”

Eldridge squinted slightly as he took in the tone shift, the darting of eyes, and the overall nervous nature that fell on his acquaintance. Did the blood spook him that much?

“So, listen when I say keep your head down so you’re not the weed that gets plucked.” Soren finished as he scooted a bit more into the shadows.

“I can take care of myself, so how about we move onto issue with the laptop.” Eldridge said in an effort to bring the conversation back on track.

Soren glanced around before he spoke again. His volume fell to a barely audible state. “Fine, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The answer to that question used to be the Newell brothers as they were the common fence with electronics. But they left town two weeks ago. As of now, that part of the business is on the market so to speak. And few people are looking to buy their position but no one’s put up the clout as you say.”

“Now Soren, don’t tell me you don’t have anything.” Eldridge said as he leaned forward a bit.

“That would make me a bit less friendly.”

“I never said that,” Soren answered defensively as his voice rose slightly in volume. “I do know a few of the shops the brothers would sell too. Now mind you most of these stores are on the up and up and thought the brothers were simply doing most of their business online. Now of course they were, but that is neither here nor there.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“Great so where are these shops?” Eldridge asked his mind tried to figure out how much of what Soren said could be trusted.

“If I recall there were three. Comp-n-more down on pine street. Terror Byte gaming near main. And,” Soren began to snap his fingers and bit down on his lip. “What was the last one, oh right Teeks DVDs near the shopmart.”

“And there isn’t anything else you can think of?” Eldridge asked as he stood trying to draw attention to his blood-soaked clothes.

“If it got fenced in town it would be one of the three shops. But I can’t help it if they sold it to some acquaintance or online.” Soren said defensively as he paled a bit more. “Now trust me when I say I am out of the game for the foreseeable future.”

“I pray that you are out of the game for the rest of your life,” Eldridge answered as he turned to leave the joint. “But we both know how much you love that particular game.” With that Eldridge left the dinner and stepped into the parking lot.

He thought about heading to the three shops that Soren mentioned, but when he took in his uniform once again, he knew he needed to get himself changed.

***

Standing in the locker room, Falreath looked over his trench coat as it hung over his locker. He couldn’t help but think there was more to the thing than a simple coat he won. Found, he corrected himself in an effort not to believe his own lie. One he spoke to ease his friend’s worries, Eldridge had enough on his mind at that time.

The fact that it was one of the finest pieces of workmanship only added to the mystery of that night. A night that haunts his dreams. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought over the last week of sleep. He couldn’t help but think there was something watching him. Those beady little eyes would be hiding around every corner.

In all honesty he was glad to be back at practice. A little bit of routine would give his mind something to focus on. As it was, he already felt like he was losing his mind. This coat was surely to blame as he was starting to perceive it as something alive. Heck, there was that morning he found it laying on the couch with the tv on.

Falreath let out a long sigh. It was clear that he needed to relieve some stress.

“Hey Cee,” Van Long, the assistant offensive coach, yelled from the door to his office. “Can you come in here for a minute.”

Falreath looked at his locker for a second before he reflexively tapped it closed. As soon as he turned, Van nodded and headed into his office.

“What’s up?” Falreath asked absentmindedly as he followed the man.

“Close the door if you would.” Van asked the moment Falreath entered the office. “Saw the golf results, while not quite the cross training I would like to see, can’t argue you didn’t manage to perform.” Van continued as Falreath closed the door.

Falreath stared at the man, his mind still on other thoughts. “It went well, I think we’ll have enough to make sure we have a little league in the county.” He answered distantly.

“That is good to hear, though probably more so for the high schools in the area.” Van answered in a light chuckle.

If Falreath was paying attention he would have found it unlike his coach.

“I guess onto why I called you in here today. As it is your first practice of the season, no it isn’t the fact you’ve missed the first few,” Van quickly waved his hand.

Falreath wasn’t surprised, though he did miss some of the early preseason practices he wasn’t like some of the starting quarterbacks who were known to miss almost all of them.

“It’s just we’ve been trying to get Joshua some experience, so we are wanting to run him through most of game Thursday.”

None of this was surprising in the least to Falreath. Preseason was the time to break in new talent, one of the reasons most starters missed the practices.

“Anyway, I was hoping we could continue to have Joshua practice with the first squad and wondered if you wouldn’t mind breaking on our reserves.”

Falreath laughed and saw Van tense up at the response.

“I don’t think so,” He replied. “I wouldn’t mind giving Josh some pointers, but the last thing I need is some second stringers trying to prove themselves. Have Reed take over, he could use the chance as it is.”

“I,” Van began before he paused. “I think that will be acceptable.” He finally replied.

Falreath took in one last glance at the paling man before he nodded and left. He could hear Van let out a breath as he was leaving the room. Falreath smirked slightly as he let the thought of Van drawing the short straw drift from his mind. It didn’t matter whether it was Dale’s plan or Van’s, it wasn’t that bright. Having your first-string quarterback practice down was just asking for trouble.

With those thoughts on his mind, he opened his locker and began the routine of putting on his pads. It wasn’t long before he was on the field once again, most thoughts of the night were distant.