They walked down the main hall of the Grand Creek Public Library in their trench coats and shades, all eyes on them. Everybody cleared the way, for they knew what they were going to do. They were going to collect.
The man hopped into the driver side and the woman hopped into the passenger. "Confirm the mission, Skalinski," said Robert Bingham. He was Black, young, and experienced in collections. He had a degree in library sciences and could have been a librarian, but fell in love with Collection Services and chose to stay there.
The red-haired white woman in the passenger seat, Rebecca Skalinski, said, "William McDugan, Caucasian male, age 46. He lives in a house on the northwest side of town. He has several items 120 days overdue. The items total roughly 150 dollars. Our job is to arrest the perp, retrieve the items, or receive the due payment. That is all."
"Got it," Bingham said. "Buckle up."
After a twenty minute drive, they stopped in front of the target's house. The place well small and run-down, but still livable. There was a garage attached with the door open and a black pick-up truck facing out. The lawn was filled with dead grass.
"Stay in the car, Skalinski. Be ready for anything."
Bingham exited the car and approached the door of the house. He gave it a knock.
No response.
He knocked again. That's when he heard the truck revving up. "That's not good." He ran over to the garage, calling out, "Mr. McDugan!" He was almost to the garage door when the truck emerged, tires screeching.
Bingham ran into the car and gave chase.
"Looks like he was expecting us," Skalinski said.
"Gee, ya think," Bingham shot back.
The chase quickly made it's way to the highway, where speeds reached 80 miles per hour. The suspect did everything he could to lose them, including driving between cars. Bingham was skilled, though, keeping close while staying a respectable distance.
Then, they got to a stretch of highway where there was no cars. This was a good time to end the chase. "You got a steady hand, Skalinsky?"
"You kidding?" she asked. "I was a top ten shooter at the academy."
"You think you can take out his tires?"
Skalinsky pulled out her handgun and lowered her window. "Get me a little closer and keep the car steady."
"You got it." He sped up and little. "Looks like there's heavy traffic ahead. Take him out now or this chase may never end."
"Yes, sir." Skalinski leaned out the window, took aim, and let off five shots.
The suspect's vehicle suddenly lurched, then veered off of the highway and into a tree. Bingham pulled over where the truck went. He and Skalinski emerged guns drawn.
"Grand Creek Library Collection Services!" Bingham called out. "Get out of the truck with your hands up!"
McDugan did so, staggering out of the truck and weakly raising his hands. His face was bloody, likely a result of the crash.
"Where are the overdue items?" Bingham asked.
"Back at the house," McDugan said, his voice laced with defeat.
Eventually the Grand Creek Police came and cleaned up, arresting McDugan. Bingham and Skalinski went back to the house and searched thoroughly, reclaiming the missing items. They returned back to the library, items in tow and deliver them to the library manager.
"More items, successfully returned," the manager said. "Congratulations."
"Just another day's work," Bingham said.
After leaving the manager's office, Bingham said, "Nice shooting out there today, Skalinski."
She smiled. "Just another day's work."
