Read Online The Night Before by David Fulmer - Free Book Online

front pocket.
    The kid with the knife was watching his eyes. “Get it,” he said and Joe felt knobby fingers digging. The younger one stepped back and turned over the bills to his partner.
    â€œThat all of it?” his partner said. “You got more, you better give it, man. Cause I will cut you up.”
    The younger kid said, “Wha’ ‘bout a ring?”
    The blade twisted in front of Joe’s face. “Let’s see.” Joe pulled off his glove and held up his left hand. The kid said, “Give it.”
    Joe startled the two junior criminals by making short work of jerking the wedding band from his finger and slapping it into the knife-wielder’s gloved palm. The mugger looked at the ring, looked at him.
    â€œDo you know what tomorrow is?” Joe said.
    â€œIt Friday,” the younger one spoke up.
    His partner shot him a dour look before returning his cold eye to Joe. “We know that the fuck tomorrow is,” he said. “It’s Christmas. And you’re Santa Claus. What else you got?”
    â€œMy wife…” Joe said.
    The two kids stopped to exchange a glance, their brows stitching.
    â€œYo’ wife?” the one standing before him said. “What the fuck? What about yo’ wife?”
    â€œSomething happened,” Joe said. “At home.”
    â€œSomethin’ ‘bout to happen right here,” the kid said, raising the knife a few inches. “I know that ain’t all of it.”
    The young partner stepped up and began slapping Joe’s pockets. When one of his hands found the edge of the zebrawood box, Joe flinched and the kid said, “Uh-oh. Whatsat?” He grabbed the shoulder of Joe’s coat in one thick paw. “Give it up.”
    Joe shook his head. “No.”
    â€œNo? You crazy? You give it up or I’m -”
    â€œY’all leave the man be.”
    Three heads turned in a startled second. Reverend Callum stood in the middle of the street, his arms stiff at his sides. Though his eyes glinted like opals, they were steady. The van was parked down the cross street. Neither he nor the two muggers had heard the vehicle or the man approach.
    The reverend’s studied gaze settled the kid with the buck knife. “You know who I am?” The kid’s eyes skittered. “Yeah.”
    â€œWho am I?”
    â€œReverend from the church down Iron Avenue.”
    â€œThat’s right. And I know who you are, too. Know where you live. Both of ya’ll. Know your mamas and your grandmamas, all them.” He paused to give a slow shake of his head. “And look at y’all out here. Shame on you both.”
    The kid’s eyes and the blade in his hand dipped downward. His partner’s face had closed and he joined in fixing his gaze on the snow at his feet. Out of his daze, Joe recognized expressions he knew well. His kids wore those same abashed looks when caught red-handed at something.
    â€œLet go of that knife you’re holding,” Reverend Callum said.
    The kid made an angry sound and dropped the weapon into the soft snow.
    â€œNow give back whatever you took,” the reverend said. The kid didn’t move. “Give it back.” A few flakes of snow swirled. The kid heaved a breath, then relented and handed Joe the wallet and phone. For a reason he couldn’t fathom, Joe felt ashamed for the boy. Reverend Callum said, “They take any cash off you?”
    â€œThey can keep it.” Joe said. He was about to add, “I’ve got plenty,” then thought better of it. “No,” the reverend said. “Those are the rewards of sin.”
    The kid said something under his breath and held out a stiff hand, the bills folded in his cold fingers. Joe reclaimed the money.
    The reverend said, “And whatever else you got.” The mugger returned Joe’s wedding band. “Now go on. Get in your car, go home, and stay there. It’s Christmas