Tangent Episode Seven

7 | Fort Duchesne

Marko pulled the car around into the gas station. He filled the tank, which was already low four hours ago. He got back into the car and Dom pointed him towards the street he needed to get back on.

The house was real beat up and in the middle of a open area. It had only one floor and looked like an old retro model home. Apparently they never built the rest of them. There was no one inside or out and they set up in the bedroom. There were two single beds and all the rooms were fully furnished. The interiors were old and retro, but well kept.

Marko laid on his bed for about an hour, staring at the ceiling, while Dom sat in the other room watching television and drinking a beer. The refrigerator and cabinets and pantry were full of recently purchased goods.

"What's on?" Marko asked as he walked into the living room area.

"Olympics."

"China," said under his breath.

The phone rang. Marko answered it. It was Brian Stephens asking for Dom. Marko gave him the phone.

"Yeah," Dom turned with his back towards Marko. A long moment of silence was suddenly shattered by a sigh from Dom. Marko could see him reaching for his gun before he even did so. And in a second Marko had the revolver that he wrapped around his ankle in his hand. And in another second a bullet was cutting its way through the air, then slicing its way through Dom's shirt, then digging its way into the flesh on his back, then drilling its way through his spine, then penetrating his heart, and killing him. Dom fell over and hit his head against the marble end table.

Blood from Dom's heart and head pooled and streamed to the carpet, respectively. Marko approached the phone, still holding the revolver he had shot the officer and now Dom with. Brian was yelling on the phone, calling for Dom. Marko picked it up and held it to his ear.

"DOM!... Marko? Is that you, you punk?"

"Yeah."

"Where's Dom? Put him on."

"He's said he's too dead to come to the phone right now."

Brian was screaming now.

"Brian," Marko started, nearly on the verge of insanity, and yet utter tranquility, "calm down, I don't want you short circuiting before I get down there. You know, too much stress can kill ya. Instantly. I'll see you in a few."

Brian was still shouting when Marko hung up the phone. He wrapped the revolver around his ankle, grabbed the bag he had brought, took a long look at Dom, and then left the house.