From Snow to Sunshine

A Texas Ranger escorts an escaped inmate south.

Cordero Roberts read the transfer order twice, mostly because it felt like the universe owed him an apology. Full jurisdiction. Temporary federal authority. Escort Oliver “Oz” Zalles from Michigan back to Texas. He folded the paper and tucked it into his coat like a winning poker hand.

Oz sat cuffed to the table in the county holding room, looking smaller without a head start and a bad attitude. Cord pulled up a chair, boots scraping loud enough to be rude.

“Well,” Cord said, flashing his badge, “looks like congratulations are in order. You won a free trip south. Window seat, too, bars included.”

Oz scowled. “Ain’t funny.”

Cord leaned back. “Neither was you not answering that knock on the cabin door like nobody was home. It was damn rude I tell ya.”

Oz snorted despite himself. “Nobody was home.”

“Buddy,” Cord said, tapping the cuffs, “I checked. Turns out you were.”

They moved fast after that, paperwork, chains, the long walk through cold air that smelled like pine and regret. In the transport van, Oz stared out the barred window, Michigan sliding past in gray streaks.

“So,” Cord said, starting the engine, “you miss Texas yet?”

Oz shrugged. “Didn’t think you’d come all this way for me.”

Cord grinned. “I’m sentimental. Can’t have folks thinking Rangers are lazy.”

Miles rolled by. Snow gave way to slush, slush to memory. Cord drove steady, one eye on the road, one on the man beside him.

Oz finally spoke. “You really think this ends back there?”

Cord nodded. “Everything ends somewhere. But justice?” He shrugged. “She likes Texas. Sunshine agrees with her.”

Oz went quiet.

Cord smiled to himself, already tasting decent coffee and warmer nights. “Next time you say nobody is home,” he added, “Make sure a Ranger ain’t listening.”

Word Count: 298
Written for: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt: Write a story that includes the line: “Nobody is home.”
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