Trouble And Money #21

On The Road With Open Eyes.

The delivery to the steakhouse in Worcester took longer than it should have, so I will not be home for Jeopardy.  When on assignment, I stay at hotels in case anyone ever follows me, which has happened before.

I'm still laughing, thinking about the owner-manager who yelled at the sign company guys. He gave me two coupons for free prime rib dinners. He handed them to me and asked, "Who Cares About Your Meat?" I answered, "Frankie Petzco!"

The F.B.I. briefed me on how the bad guys operate. 

They deal with foreign governments that cannot receive certain things on the open market. 

They know where the wanted items are manufactured and shipped from, and they pay a company insider a hefty sum for basic logistical information, such as when something is shipped and where it is shipped to.

The materials are then hijacked off the truck or at the delivery point loading dock. A few drivers have survived being held at gunpoint by the gang. A few have not. The F.B.I. believes if the driver becomes a smart ass or tries to resist they are ventilated with no warning.

The truck driver survivors of "the treatment" say they surrendered.

I'm screwed because the Grange style is not so sheepish.

The second part of the plan involves the person who gave up the information being executed at home.

That leaves nobody to prosecute or question about who made contact with them.

There is a lot to wonder about here, but I must be on point as I aim my truck toward an industrial park in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

I'm looking for the type of road trap other drivers have fallen for: a stopped car on the highway, a bump-and-go, or an outright stop under gun and flare.

The highway has the usual drive time traffic, which means things can get stop and go.

Finding the company in the Industrial Park was easy, and two men were on the dock to receive the load with no incident.

I headed south and started thinking of dinner.

It was all done by text on a secure server.

TEXT: We are having a road party tomorrow night in North Andover. You are invited. B.Y.O.G. and remember to leave your cell phones and smart watches at home.

Four people texted back that they would be there. When the parts are delivered, tomorrow's load will earn the gang 26 million dollars. 

The final coordinates will be out in one half hour.

Trouble And Money is published Monday through Friday. It is a free serial fiction detective story with characters you will love. Read the adventures of Conrad Grange as he solves cases and contends with a harsh world.