CoffeeBeanShop

Dial "C" For Coffee

by Paul Alan Fahey (bio at end of story)

"Emily, you've made it!" Oliver reached for her hand, then kissed her on the cheek.

"Yes."

"Smashing."

"I can only stay away a while. Leonard asked for his nightly coffee, and wouldn't you know we'd run out. Danziger's carries what he likes, and it's quite a jaunt from here."

"Let's walk a bit then."

"It's Ethiopian, very hard to find."

"What?"

"The coffee."

"Mmm. Yes."

"Much too strong for me, but Leonard can't get through an evening without it. I prefer a rich, more delicate cinnamon or hazelnut flavored . . ."

"Emily, dear?"

"Yes, Oliver."

"We have so little time. We don't want to waste it."

"No, love. I was just making small talk."

"Let's stop here."

"A phone booth?"

"No one's around, and it's quite dark."

"Yes, but the light?"

"We'll leave the door open. Take my hand, sweet. We'll just squeeze in . . . there." He pressed his body up against hers. "Rather comfy, if I do say."

"Yes, rather. Oh, Oliver?"

"Hmm?"

"What's that noise?"

"What noise?"

"That clanging sound, like something hitting the side of the booth."

"Just your nerves, dear, and a rather loud lorry in the roundabout." He kissed her passionately. "Most likely a backfire."

"Oliver, I think there's something touching my leg."

"Nonsense. Don't think, Emily. We're safe here. Besides, we've much to discuss."

"About Leonard?"

"Yes. It has to look legitimate."

"Right."

"Nothing fishy."

"Well, I'm out of ideas. We've gone over this several times and never agree." She nibbled on his mustache.

"We could go back to our original plan?"

"Sunday noon behind Danziger's?"

"Yes, the alley's perfect." He brushed back her bangs, kissed her eyebrows. "You pop round with hubby after services, and I'll be waiting. You say Leonard loves his coffee."

"Yes."

"What better place to lure him to his doom?"

"But how do I get him to go into the alley, Oliver? He'll be suspicious, surely. And Leonard's always been claustrophobic, hates confined spaces. He'll only stay in church if he gets an aisle seat and that alley's so narrow."

"I didn't know."

"About the alley?"

"No. Leonard's phobia."

"How could you? And Oliver?"

"Yes, dear."

"Would you mind moving to your left? Ah, yes, better. That shelf was cutting into my . . ."

"Well, maybe we'd best go with plan B."

"The intruder? Yes, I like that one."

"You slip something in his coffee to make him sleep . . . "

"I'll mash up his sleeping pills, add a dash of chicory to hide . . ."

"Yes, yes. Emily, do try to concentrate on the general picture. The damn details will come later."

She pulled away. "I was only trying to flesh out our strategy."

"Yes, well, I'm sorry if I raised my voice. These things can be so trying. By the way, Emily, do you hear that siren?"

"I'm a bit tone deaf, love. I thought you knew. I've seen several doctors in the High Street, but they all say . . . "

Just then a police car came to an abrupt stop across from the phone booth.

"I wonder who they're after?"

"Whom, love."

"Yes, dear. Whom."

"I don't care, Oliver. I've got to get to Danziger's before they close." Emily put up a hand to shield her eyes from the harsh spotlight.

A policeman walked toward them, his torch illuminating the inside of the booth.

Emily glanced down at the swinging receiver. "So that's what it was."

"What, dear?"

"That sound I heard, the thing near my leg."

"Yes?"

"The telephone's off the hook, Oliver. The operator's heard everything. That's why the police are here. What am I to do? "

"Calm yourself, Emily. We've done nothing wrong."

"No, no, it's not that."

"Then what?"

"It's Leonard. You just don't know what he's like without his evening coffee."

© Paul Alan Fahey. All Rights Reserved.

$300 Finalist - Dial "C" For Coffee by Paul Alan Fahey

Paul Alan Fahey is a learning disabilities specialist at Alan Hancock college in Santa Maria, California, and also editor of their new literary magazine Mindprints, A Literary Journal. He is most recently published online in the April issues of The Paumanok Review, Furious Pen, Mocha Memoirs and The Vestal Review. Paul has a short story coming up in both Potpourri and The MacGuffin.

Editor's Note: "Dial C" was chosen for the first round for the following reasons: Intriguing title, interesting opening lead with plenty of fast-paced dialogue. There is an interesting twist to the story, with a believable premise and with just a touch of comedy. Great ending, excellent writing, correct punctuation, no spelling errors. We were caught up with this story from the time it arrived in the email box. Excellent creative approach to the theme.

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