“Hugh,Hugh, Hugh”
How did they find me?! What’s the point of an anonymous service if everyone knows when and where the pick up is! These clients are so getting sued if I get out of this. But first, to get out of this.
It looks like there’s a couple different guys after me; not sure if they’re on the same side, but with 6 different packages on me that doesn’t really narrow it down. First stop on my route was the Sendokan building and they have decent security, hiding in there shouldn’t be a problem but making the other deliveries will be a pain. One stop at a time, one stop at a time. Making a big plan won’t help when things go wrong.
Alright up on to the fly over bridge! Ha! Cutting across 4 lanes is dangerous but not as dangerous as, OH Crap! They have guns! Big Guns! Move! Move! Move! Grannies driving and always getting in the way. Yes! A bus! Just pull up alongside and…. wow. They just blew strait past. Benefits of a smaller motorcycle. Now to pull away and strait on ahead to Sendokan.
Pulled up in front and the guards are watching the bike. Hopefully it doesn’t get shot up by some overzealous goons. This front desk chick is way cuter than the last one. Hopefully she’s more susceptible to my charms.
“Hello, package delivery under the code 4140.”
“Alright, if you could place it in the x-ray machine and sign for me.”
“Of course, beautiful. So, how long have you been working here? It’s always nice to see a new face.”
“Not too long, my girlfriend and I just moved here so finding a job quick was a lucky stroke. Looks like its all clear! Thank you for dropping of the package I’ll see that it makes it to the right home. Have a good night!”
Sigh, so close. Hit all the boxes, sweet face, bubbly personality, solid job, just missed things with that girlfriend comment. Well, on to the next one. First though, got to call Tommy because guns were not mentioned in any of the briefings.
“Billy! Short time no call. What’s wrong? You had simple drops and pickups all night,”
“I know Tommy, but I wasn’t briefed on any clients needing extra protection. Do we charge based on the caliber or how many shots we take?”
“Woah, woah, woah, you got hit? No one paid for that kind of protection!”
“I’m aware. Got no idea what package they’re after either so you want me to come in or make the other drops?”
“Well I’d like you to come in and we can reschedule all but one of those drops. They paid for the platinum package, protection…”
“and punctuality, I got it. If you can get those others off my back, I’ll make sure that one gets done. No other promises got it!”
“I got it. You get on that bike and hustle now. Its across town at the docks so make it snappy.”
Well there we go off to the races once again. Thank the gods I don’t have to worry about the others but making it to the docks at rush hour is going to take every trick I’ve got. Helmet on, keys out, jacket zipped, nod at security, flip the kick stand and off on to the nights crowded roadways.
The first thing to do is get to a drop point and dump these extra packages for the night. Tommy’s on point to get those recovered. Pulling up to the garage there’s only a few people milling about. After slipping in I pulled out the few packages from my bag and jacket to stash in a locker. Damn, one of those neckless thugs is prowling out in the lobby. Time for some extra sneak. Pulling up my hood I can hide in a crowd of clubbies making a change over as they migrate across town chasing their highs.
The bike is still there, super casual walk, ah there’s another neckless thug wandering the parking lot. Shit, he recognized me. Not sure how since I keep a pretty generic profile but apparently once they get the scent they act like bloodhounds on the trail. If they want a hunt, I can play the fox and ill out fox all of their nonsense.
Skipping the curb I drove through one of the side walks then back over on to the parking deck. They scrambled to their black tank of an SUV to give chase and I hear horns of cars marking the start of the run. Scrambling up onto the skyways I weaved my way through the crowds while they barreled though shoving people out of the way with the horn and their waving guns. I got far ahead but they were going to catch up on this next stretch on the freeways.
Sure, enough they’re gaining ground on me by blasting their way through and bulling people out of their way on the road. I’ve got to keep some cars between me, so they can’t hit me. Hopefully they won’t be so stupid as to shoot through people, but thugs are never as smart as you’d hope. They’re trying to take a couple more shots though the cars with little success. Better jump off early if I don’t want the cops to follow me to the docks.
Ducking down some alleys will shave off the hairs time that I waisted on the skyways. Though I can hear those reckless idiots playing around down here more and more. Wait. Crap. I’m being herded down. Guess they made some friends. Well that’s why we have contingencies. I’ll pull up and see what they want. I pulled up my visor and they all just pulled out their weapons, cause that makes so much sense when they want something on my person, just fill me full of holes.
“Stay where you are! We’re going to search you! Put all your packages on the ground!”
“Alright, alright calm down…I can’t do it with my mind”
I pull off my bag and open my jacket. Glad I did the prep work for this little trick back at the bus garage. Keeping my hands up after I slipped off the helmet the thugs started to come forward with the biggest jerk coming up to frisk my while his partners got their paws on the bag. Got to give BJ credit where its due his fat hands did a solid job.
“Nothing! You got anything?”
“No, its all secure packs but none with the right number”
“Alright you little prick, where is it?! Where’s 623?”
“I’ve got no idea which ones you guys are looking for, no 623 on my manifests. You know us we don’t get anything but a number and a delivery address”
“And we know you aren’t stupid you could of stashed it somewhere”
“Well that sounds like way more work than I need right now, how about you let me get going so I’m not late and you guys can go back and take your licks for following the wrong guy all night”
“Fuck off you little twig. We’re going to get what we came for!”
“Are you?”
At that the flash bangs and smoke bombs in the fakes at their feet went off and I quickly ducked around, slipping between them and yanking my helmet on before gunning the engine as the bullets started to fly behind me.
Sent a quick thanks to Penny for coming up with that trick and making a note to tell her how well it worked again. Since I’m going full tilt though the streets its not taking to long to get to the docks. Priority said get it to the client but my tired mind just wants a beer and some ramen to cap of this crazy night.
There’s flashlight in my eyes blinking ahead and I pull into the garage shop as the door rolls down behind me. With platinum service comes some extra security.
“Any dinner plans?”
“Curry Rice at Venwicks”
“Sounds like a smashing good time”
Smiling I pull off my helmet as a slim figure in a black hoodie steps out of the shadows with just a knife of a smile poking out.
“Saw the fireworks show, pretty impressive stuff. You do that for everyone or am I just special”
“You paid for the best, so you get our best”
It becomes harder to talk as I reach into my mouth and pull off the sticker holding the tiny drive inside my cheek. It hurts like crazy but it’s the most secure place to keep small stuff. No one wants to stick fingers in mouths for no real reason. Putting it on my palm I hold it out for the twig who’s smile seems to grow even wider as I hold out the drive.
“I’ll be leaving an excellent review. Who should I dedicate my praises too”
“Oh no one in particular. We are an anonymous service after all”
Roll of the Dice 