Flying Too Close to the Sun, George Jehn [freda ebook reader txt] 📗

“Yes it does. If you did, then maybe you’d understand. That broad and I have absolutely nothing in common other than the job.”

Although late, Woody’s interrogation continued a while longer and both cops came to the same conclusion. There was no way he would be involved in anything with Shepard.

.     .     .

While driving to work the following afternoon Erik tuned in 1010 WINS, a New York all-news radio station, but heard nothing about the heist. He also stopped at several newspaper boxes, fumbled with some coins and grabbed copies of Newsday, the Daily News and the NY Post. He quickly thumbed through them but again, nothing. Hopefully, robberies were like fast food, quick and forgettable.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

When the crew assembled the following day, the previous evening’s clouds were whipped away on stiff northwest winds carrying with them a taste of promise along with blue skies as polished as a new car. The stark white décor of the operations office normally made the surroundings seem cold, as this area was set up only with total efficiency in mind, but for Christina this felt like the first uplifting day in a long time. While signing the flight plan Christina asked Woody and Erik, “Did the two Dick Tracys, with the emphasis on the first name, visit you last night?” After both nodded their heads in the affirmative, a jovial Christina said she told them, other than the generator problem, nothing out of the ordinary occurred and both concurred. Christina’s voice was so buoyant Erik believed Juni must have contacted her.

After Woody disappeared to grab a coffee, the operations agent motioned Christina to the telephone. Hearing Juni’s voice she felt another shot of adrenaline. After moving the phone behind the counter out of earshot, she pointed to the mouthpiece and silently mouthed the letters J-u-n-i to Erik.

“I didn’t want to call your place because your phones are probably wired.”

“How much?” she hoarsely whispered, barely able to contain herself. “Just tell me how much.”

There was a sigh on the other end of the line. “Nothing. I had it, but someone hit me on the head and took it.”

Juni’s words could have been a solid punch to her jaw and she paused as she felt a cold finger of dread slice down her spine. “Whaddaya mean someone stole our money? You take me for a moron.”

Erik motioned with his palms for her to calm down. Her face was now crimson and he didn’t want to draw attention to her.

“I swear on my mother. It’s the truth. A guy hit me over the head with a bat and took it all.”

She could envision a double-dealing Juni pushing a huge boulder to the edge of a cliff. It was about to tumble off and squeeze the life out of her. “Go to hell. Where are you? I’ll come there and whack you again.” Breathing heavily, she stopped and rubbed her head to collect her thoughts. “Who was this guy? What did he look like? Have you ever seen him before? When and where did all this happen?”

Erik was standing far enough away that he couldn’t overhear, but Christina’s expression betrayed her angst. The office was bright, but her appearance spoke darkness.

“It happened right on the dock. I don’t know who he was. Did you or Erik mention anything to anyone? Someone had to know because there wasn’t another person in the entire marina other than this blotchy-faced, big guy. He had to be stalking me.”

“I can’t answer for Erik, but I never said a word, to anyone,” but her mind simultaneously raced back to David because he had briefly discussed the possibility they were carrying something valuable with her. And he’d later grilled her about what she’d uncovered. Did he somehow unearth what they were up to? Did she know any friends of David’s with a mottled complexion? “The only people I ever discussed this with were you and Erik.”

“I had four bags, probably over two million.”

“I don’t wanna hear that! Erik’s gonna be mad as hell when I tell him; unless he already knows ‘cause you’re in this rip-off together.” Christina inhaled deeply, attempting to calm herself. Her head felt like she’d been hit with a bat. She implored Juni, “Tell me this is some kind of sick joke.”

“I wish it were.”

“The cops have already questioned the crew.”

“Look. It’s no good talking over the phone. I never suspected anything like this could happen. It’s a big risk but we have to meet again. Let’s shoot for tonight after you guys get off work at the same place as last time. Drive in separate cars and make certain there’s no tail.”

“How the hell am I supposed to know if someone’s following me?”

“Drive a while. Then get off the parkway and double back to somewhere, like the lot where you originally parked. Or get out of your car for a cup of coffee or gum, always watching for the same car with two guys who just look like cops. Keep checking in your rearview mirror for a Ford Crown Victoria ‘because that’s the unmarked cops drive. Change lanes or exit quickly and see if another car does the same. If you even think someone’s following, go home. Capisce?”

“Yeah, I capisce all right. Now you understand or capisce, as you like to say,” Christina growled. “We’ll be there and I’ll break the news to Erik, unless like I said, he already knows.” She wanted to slam down the receiver but didn’t.

.     .     .

“What bullshit are you feeding me? You take me for a goddamned idiot.” an incredulous Erik uttered when they were alone. “I didn’t like this from the get-go. But after putting up with so much crap, I’m entitled.”

“That’s all I know. Juni said he’ll fill us in tonight. He emphasized to make certain we’re not being tailed,” repeating his precautions.

“This is one sick joke you’re trying to pull.” Exactly who were the good and bad guys?