Chapter 26

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Gary feared that sheriff Duncan was right, that he had somehow tipped off Samantha Larabee that Michael was a suspect in Angel's murder, and that nearly got Michael killed. Perhaps this town could solve the crime better if Gary left. Gary got his things, said goodbye to Leita Rose, and drove out of town. Gary stopped for gas at the same Quickstop that he'd used on the way into town. This time Gary noticed the sign. It read "After dark cashier cannot accept cash." He'd seen this sign in many gas stations and convenience stores. The point was to discourage robbery, not much point in robbing a store with no cash. But today, something clicked in Gary's brain. The things they found in Angel's safe. Three one dollar bill, two wrappers full of coins, the candy bar wrapper, all things that this Quickstop would likely have. If Gary remembered correctly, the lottery ticket was even printed out at this very Quickstop. But he could not remember a clerk eve giving him change in the form of a coin wrapper. It was a hunch, but right now it was worth playing. Gary flashed his FBI badge and asked to speak with the owner. The owner, Syed Ali, came to answer Gary's questions.

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Syed: Can I help you?

Gary: I was just wondering about the sign outside. The one that says "After dark cashier cannot accept cash."

Syed: Just trying to discourage anyone from robbing me.

Gary: Tell me, have you ever been robbed at night, despite the sign?

Syed: Eight times in the last three years. Seven of those times it was junkies desperate for quick cash.

Gary: And the other time?

Syed: That was last October. Some girl in a ski mask held me up at gunpoint. I was terrified, afraid what she'd do when she realized I didn't have more than ten dollars in it. Fortunately she didn't, she also stole some candy bars and ordered me to print up a couple of lottery tickets.

Gary: She held a gun on you and forced you to print two lottery tickets?

Syed: I was suprised too, but I obeyed. Then she took the money, grabbed a couple of candy bars on her way out, and took off in the getaway car. The police thought it might have been a hate crime, but if that was her initiation, to kill me, I'm glad she lost her nerve.

Gary: In my experience people can be horrible people without it neccessarily being political in any way. Do you have security footage of the robbery?

Syed: Yes, I'll show it to you.

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Syed showed Gary the recording. Gary also accessed his smartphone to see Angel's lottery ticket. According to the security footage the lottery ticket was printed out the exact second that this robber forced Syed to print out a ticket. Gary wasn't sure he could prove it, as both the robber and her getaway driver were wearing masks. But he was certain that Angel Flint robbed this convenience store, and that Samantha Larabee was the getaway driver.