The Fifteen Minute Novel is a novel written fifteen minutes at a time with each week day’s section starting with the sentence from the previous day. At least it is attempting to be a novel. For now I am just aiming at one continuous story, worked on for fifteen minutes each day. Started Friday January 1st, 2021 (in case you want to search for the beginning. I can’t wait to see where it ends up. It could be good, or it could be a mess. We’ll have to see. For now, here is today’s fifteen minutes.
Day 108: He didn’t see Tucker, but to his surprise, James did see a familiar face in the crowd.
He didn’t see Tucker, but to his surprise, James did see a familiar face in the crowd. James gave a start of surprise as he saw the face. It wasn’t the face of a friend, but of someone he recalled seeing repeatedly at business gatherings. He couldn’t put a name to the face, but it was recognizable.
The man appeared to be scanning the room, looking for someone. James ducked down behind Mike shielding himself from view as the gaze swept past his table. He fumbled his phone from his pocket and brought up Tucker’s number. He sent a text.
‘Someone I know just walked into the bar.’
It sounded like the opening to a bad joke. James felt his mouth go dry. He sent the message and peered around Mike. Mike was deep in conversation with the man to his left and didn’t notice. At the moment no one was really paying attention to him. The man was in profile, studying the patrons on the other side of the room. James lifted his phone and took a photo with his camera. He sent the image to Tucker.
The cell phone buzzed and James looked down. ‘Stay there.’
The message was terse, but James didn’t expect a long missive. He kept his phone clutched in his hand. James glanced up at the table and saw one of the others watching him. He thought the man’s name was Kevin or maybe Keith. He had an eyebrow lifted in question. James leaned over, thinking fast.
“Ex-wife’s Brother,” he said. He then made a face hoping he indicated that the newcomer was unpleasant to deal with. Kevin/Keith nodded. He looked around James to watch the man allowing James to keep his back to him. His new friend leaned in.
“He seems to have met a friend,” he said. James was surprised. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the familiar face leaving the bar accompanied by Tucker.
‘I guess that’s why I’m supposed to stay put,’ James thought. James mimed relief to his drinking companion and received a smile in return. Although was relieved the man was no longer in the bar, ther thoughts began circling and he kept a tight hold on his phone.
What if the man had friends outside? What if they overpowered Tucker? James looked at his phone. If they killed Tucker then they would have his phone. But how would he know? How would he know if Tucker was the one calling him to let him know it was all clear?
Worries danced in his mind as Kevin/Keith began another sports themed story. James was pretty certain this one was football related. Although not really interested, he felt he owed the man something and was trying to find an appropriately enthusiastic comment to add. Kevin/Keith got a puzzled look on his face and tilted his head to look past James.
“Your ex-brother in law’s friend just came back,” he said. James blinked in surprise and turned. James saw Tucker renter the bar. Something inside him relaxed slightly at the sight of the agent.
Ten til Midnight 