Pressure Drop: Complete Series

By Matthew David Carroll

"He looked out at the city, the sun deep below the horizon.

Those hotel lights, behind those windows a decompressing view, a private getaway.

A dial down away from playing motives, divisive views, conflicting alliances.

Here all are the same.

Some just settling in to fantasy, others ready to be ripped back to some reality out there.

Maybe it is just the weather, mindsets naturally align.

A chance to see past it all.

Never what it seems when you’re stuck in.

Too much stagnation, too many broken intersections, sharp edged angles, this was his paradise.

Something he’s told himself for far too long.

Let it make such a mess.

He took a drink, closed his eyes and listened.

Breathed in that cluttered silence, tempered waves.

His epiphany.

Let him know he’s still alive and in control."

#Alt-Procedural #Alt-Fanfic #Action #Espionage #Noir

This is a work of fiction, the product of the author’s imagination used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
© 2021

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew David Carroll
• Release date: May 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005276867

Matthew David Carroll

Hello,For those of you who are new, I hope you enjoy.If you've already read some of these, I'm glad you're back.It's been terrible for building trust and invites all sorts of nonsense, but my lack of presence is better for new readers to get into the story and character. So I'm elusive for that reason, mostly.If you're interested in getting to know me, forgive us, you can check my other social media for that, but I'm afraid you won't find much at the moment. I keep putting it off.Some of these are quick easy reads I hope will leave you laughing or with some sort of satisfied wonder (I know. I'm finishing them.) Others are over stylized with complex plot structures that require inquisition.I can't promise you'll like everything I write, but you'll know (for the most part) what you're getting into.Complex issues, simple themes. Characters opinions are their own.If you like any of them please share. I appreciate every one of you who have.

Book preview

Pressure Drop

Complete Series

Copyright 2021 Matthew Carroll

Smashwords Edition

This is a work of fiction, the product of the author’s imagination used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

~***~

Episodes:

Pressure Drop

Old Wounds

Catalyst

Back on the case

Even

A long day

Two Weeks Later

Conflict of Interest

Double Dealing

Complications

Bankrupt

Fair Warning

Wildcard

Knucklehead

Scapegoat

Containment

Versions

Renovatio

Original Publication Dates:

01/12/21 Episode 01: Pressure Drop

01/23/21 Episode 02: Old Wounds

01/29/21 Episode 03: Catalyst

02/04/21 Episode 04: Back on the case

02/09/21 Episode 05: Even

02/17/21 Episode 06: A long day

03/02/21 Episode 07: Two Weeks Later

03/08/21 Episode 08: Conflict of Interest

03/11/21 Episode 09: Double Dealing

03/15/21 Episode 10: Complications

03/19/21 Episode 11: Bankrupt

04/14/21 Episode 12: Fair Warning

04/14/21 Episode 13: Wildcard

04/14/21 Episode 14: Knucklehead

04/26/21 Episode 15: Scapegoat

05/08/21 Episode 16: Containment

Pressure Drop

SOUTH FLORIDA - SUBURBAN MALL – EARLY 2000s

Late Florida summer nights the sun radiates through the clouds turning the horizon shades of orange and pink and an aquatic tint falls on everything. Feel the pressure drop in your pours, smell the heat raise off the pavement in the humid salty breeze. Every window glazed in condensation.

A white 1977 Impala rolls through the parking lot outside a large department store. Its headlights reflect as it pulls into an empty space closest to the entrance.

MIGUEL OSWEGO, built, middle-aged, wearing beige khaki pants and a black silk button up shirt exits the driver side. His son JUAN ROMA dressed similar exits the passenger and lets his young son LEONARDO out the back.

Juan casually grabs his son by the hand and leads him quickly across the driveway following Miguel toward the entrance.

Leonardo bumped a customer leaving, knocking him loose from his father’s grip.

Excuse me, young man, the customer apologizes.

Juan politely grabbed Leo by the hand and continued toward the store. Pay attention, He tells his son in Spanish.

An employee stopped them at the doors, Sorry sir, we’re closing.

Pick up. They’re expecting us, Miguel tells them.

The employee moves to let them in as a black sports bike races up, stops on the side walk out front.

Two riders in non distinct black motor cycle gear and reflective visor helmets.

The one on the back turned toward the steam glazed door.

Miguel watched the woman on the back swing an MP-5 around her shoulder just in time to push Leonardo out of range as she fired.

The storefront windows shattered, a hail of bullets cut through them.

The Assassins speed away as Leonardo watched his father take his last breath.

FORT LAUDERDALE – RIVER ISLES – NEXT DAY

Deep in the river isle’s at a small marina the sound of muffled 90’s lo-fi party metal blares.

BERNHARD, a hasty elderly man, wearing hiked up swim shorts and a flashy tiki shirt shuffles down the dock toward the cabin cruiser where the music plays.

He leans over the stern, under some towels he finds the vintage silver boombox and smacks the tape player.

It stops.

JORDAN, 32, short brown hair, sunbaths near the bow, sits up confused. His body still lean and arms toned, but signs were showing he was letting himself go.

Hey, he yells.

Everyday with this queer noise! It sucked in the eighties and it sucks now! Bernhard said in his raspy voice.

What did I tell you about coming onto my boat! Jordan said adamant.

I’m not on your boat!

Jordan climbed down to the cockpit.

Why you fucking with me and not them? Jordan asked, referring to the rap music heard from across the marina.

Because their shit don’t sound like it’s coming out a can! And they pay! What are you doing? You should be in the office?

It’s Sunday.

What I put up with from you.

Yeah, yeah, Jordan said both annoyed and ashamed.

Buy a proper stereo!

I’ll keep it down.

Bernhard stood there staring at him.

Jordan threw out his hands wondering why.

Look at you! Bernhard jested.

Jordan couldn’t believe he was listening to this shit.

You must have been some kind of cop. Bernhard mocked. You’d be gone if you weren’t so far behind on dues.

Jordan shook his head remaining silent.

Bernhard walked off mumbling insults.

DETECTIVES RODRICK PIERCE and FERNANDO LOPEZ, light casual suits, dark thin rimmed sunglasses, pass Bernhard near the boat launch.

Jordan recognized them and went down into the cabin.

Jordan? Fernando greeted.

Jordan came out putting on a shirt.

Fernando removed his sunglasses, unimpressed with Jordan’s living situation.

Jordan grabbed a beer from the cooler.

How’s Molly? Fernando asked.

Molly’s Molly, He said cracking his beer.

He took a drink.

Aren’t you guys a little busy to be hassling me so early?

It’s noon, Pierce said.

What do you want Ferny?

Fernando didn’t say anything.

Isn’t this a federal case? Jordan asked.

Just doing our due diligence.

Jordan shook his head, smiled, and scratched his eye, I burned all that when I left.

Typical Pierce laughed.

Nice you two stopping by, Jordan sent them off.

Fernando glared at Pierce disappointed, Look Joe, if you kept anything that could’ve helped us out.

Jordan annoyed, let them know he’d never do that.

Marcus know you’re out here? Jordan asked.

We’re just talking.

He tried not to be rude, but let Lopez and Pierce know it was time to leave.

Lopez put his sunglasses back on.

Jordan watched them walk away.

Couldn’t keep your mouth shut? Fernando said to Pierce out of ear shot.

Jordan went down to take a shower.

It was broken.

SOUTH FLORIDA - SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD

Jordan, driving an older model red pickup, pulled up along the curb outside a one story ranch