One
Harmony Gibbs broughtthe cup of coffee to her face and inhaled as if it held all the secrets of life.For her, it did.Or at least the secrets to staying awake after yet another all-nighter when she should have been home sleeping.
I’ll sleep when I’m dead.
Harmony grinned at the words her dad said constantly when she was younger and he was working two jobs, sometimes three, to keep a roof over their heads.It was just the two of them forever, but her dad was determined to help Harmony succeed.
And succeed she did.A top research analyst and on track to earn her Ph.D.in four months, Harmony worked her ass off to get to where she was.A work ethic she definitely learned from her father.
If only he could see her now.
Harmony took a seat by the window, looking out onto the alley.It wasn’t the best view around, but with the way her mind ricocheted, she needed the quiet.Away from other customers and the traffic of the main road the coffee shop faced.
Harmony’s brain finally kicked in about halfway through her caramel latte, the sugar and caffeine waking her up like she hadn’t spent the last twenty-four hours upright.She reached for the impulse muffin with sugar crystals decorating the top.A smile lifted her lips as she held up her prize.Like her own precious.
Movement outside caught her eye.The early morning was slowly brightening, but the alley was dark, the shadows long and lingering before the sun could showcase everything happening.
Three men walked from the right.Something about the way they moved kept Harmony’s attention.They were looking for something.Walking together, but checking behind them as if watching for anyone coming.
What the hell?
They made it to the door across the alley and stopped.One of them stepped up and put something against the door.The other two…
Holy shit!
Harmony fumbled for her phone and called nine-one-one.
“Nine-one-one.What is your emergency?”
“Um, there’s a break-in.I’m watching.Three guys.All in dark clothes.One has a gun, and they’re… Oh, my God, they’re inside.”
“Can you hide?Somewhere they won’t see you?”
“No.I mean, I’m not in the building they’re breaking into.I’m at Sunrise Brews.They’re across the alley.”
“And you’re safe?”
“Yes, I’m good.I’m fine.I’m enjoying my muffin.”
The woman on the phone laughed.“Good.That’s great.I’m dispatching the police there right now.Are you available to stick around and speak to them?They’ll need a statement from you.”
“Yeah.”Harmony checked the time.“I’ll stay.This is important.”
“Thank you.Be careful.If the men come out, do not chase them.Let them go.The police will find them.”
“Thanks.Yeah, I’m not looking to get shot.But I don’t want anyone else to, either.”
“I agree.The police should be pulling up now.Do you see them?”
Harmony shook her head before she answered, then heard the sirens.“I hear them.”
“Okay, good.Captain Marcus Patrick will come find you.Can I tell him your name?”
“Oh, yeah.Harmony Gibbs.”
“Thanks Harmony.I’m Mackenzie.Captain Patrick is a good man.He’ll come right to find you.”
“Sounds good.Thanks, Mackenzie.”
