Perfect Crime

Tom sighed as he watched the young man finish filling the 5-gallon gas can. The man had his back to Tom and Tom took the opportunity to size up his potential opponent. Too young and too strong, Tom thought. "I don't suppose you're going pay for that." Tom said in a steady tone.

"Nope." the man replied, not bothering to turn around. The man finished twisting the cap onto the can, picked it up, and walked off.

Tom watched until the man disappeared into the horizon, returning to where he'd come from earlier that day. The station was remote and isolated. Even so, how had the man known Tom wouldn't call the police? He thought about the cash in the till. He'd been counting it when the man arrived. Tom was pretty certain the man had seen the wad of bills but maybe not. Neither of them had spoken, the man just stepped inside, grabbed a new gas can and stepped out. Like he owned the place. He hadn't seen much but he likely saw the money. Tom wondered how long it would take for the man to walk to his car and then return to rob the place. Did he see the money? That's the question, Tom thought. If he saw the money, he'll be back. That type can't resist taking. Tom knew that type all too well.

Tom heard the faint hum of a car in the distance. This is probably him, he thought, I hope it's a nice car. Tom's car had broken down a mile from the station. Of course it really wasn't his car, he'd stolen it earlier that morning. He shook his head, he was never good at stealing decent cars. They always seemed to break down. But he knew he drove them too hard. That happens when you're trying to get away quickly.

Tom stepped behind the counter and took the shotgun from the shelf under the cash register. He'd noticed it there when he was counting the money. He knelt down, resting one knee on the chest of the gas station's owner, praying for the man to return. He marveled at his turn of good fortune, the plan had almost created itself. The man was clearly a thug and likely had a record. It seemed completely plausible that a fellow like that would try to rob this isolated place. In this case, it would appear as if they'd shot each other. Tom would leave his gun with the man and take his car. The key would be to leave some cash in the till. The police wouldn't likely look too hard. Two bodies, two weapons, a stolen broken down car a mile away. If this worked out right, Tom surmised, the man would also get blamed for this morning's action. Tom giggled at how perfectly everything was coming together.

He heard a car door close.

The hardest part would be not taking all the money.