Jackknife 10
Chapter 10 First Road Briefing
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Settled into his seat at the reserved spot, Cray scanned the truck stop lot waiting for Ken and Bill. Business was good. Getting the reservation on short notice showed some real corporate pull. The service had been top notch, Cray had felt like a VIP since arriving. He was greeted and escorted to his spot from the moment he pulled in.
It was all very high profile considering the secrecy around the delivery. Maybe Ian had it right. He was a decoy. Meant to be seen, to be talked about. Cray recalled some lectures on industrial espionage and counterespionage. They made his head swim. He had no interest in secrecy games. Mysteries were an unnecessary headache.
Now he was smack dab in the middle of a mystery and curiosity was getting the better of him. Even at this moment he was hoping to spot another Silver Label truck for comparison. As if it would do him any good.
Ken’s voice suddenly came through crisp and clear through the speakers along the top of the windshield, startling Cray enough to make his heart skip a beat.
“Cray, you there?”
“Yes, that you Ken?” replied Cray after he collected himself enough not to utter a half-dozen expletives, “You gave me quite a start there.”
“My apologies. Your channel was open. I thought you were expecting the contact.
“I wanted to let you know we’re ready for the evening briefing, over dinner since it is our last night in town. Can you make your way to the diner?”
Cray resolved to never leave the voice-whatever-system on auto again.
“Truck stop food? You guys are making me feel right at home.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Just give the host your name and you will be brought to the table.”
“All right. See you shortly.”
Cray double checked his pockets, made sure he had his keys and departed the She Beast. He felt oddly vulnerable about leaving her unattended. This would be a tough spot to steal a truck unseen but the perfect timing to try.
Everything went smoothly thereafter. He got through the parking lot, gave his name at the diner entrance and was immediately lead to a large table in the back with only Ken and Bill seated. They both looked a little weary.
“Evening Cray,” said Ken, while Bill just nodded.
Cray nodded and slid into the booth seat. The table was still damp from the server’s bar towel wipe down. There had been others seated here recently.
“So what is this briefing about?”
“The general plan for tomorrow. Destination and timing.”
“I’m all ears unless you wanted to order first.”
“Let’s get the basics out of the way first. The target destination is Cleveland. Arrangements are made at a full-service truck stop.”
“Cleveland? I could make it farther than that in this rig, easy.”
“We follow the contract. Parameters set down by the directors. Eight hours per day, with breaks, limited speeds. No exceptions.”
Cray felt the leash tighten. He pulled against it on instinct.
“Does any of the planning crew have long haul experience? I usually operate on the eleven hours per day standard.”
“We have our orders and we will stick to them, as per the contract.”
“All right. It’s your call. I’m just getting paid to drive.”
“That’s the spirit Cray. Now let’s order. Then we can chat over any other details on your mind.”
Ken and Bill ordered similar steak dinners, while Cray went with fish.
“You two are looking a little run down. Everything, O.K.? Just been a hard day?”
“Not everything went as smoothly as we would have liked but we’re in good shape. A night’s rest will put us right.”
“Good to hear. I hope you plan to hit the sack soon because I like to get early starts, get ahead of any rush and that’s not easy in a lot full of truckers.”
“How early are we talking?”
My insomnia kicks in about three a.m., so I’m getting coffee, breakfast and checks done by four, on the road by five at the latest. May get moved up if there are many others moving sooner.”
Bill exhaled a loud sigh.
“That reminds me, Bill, do you ever actually talk?”
“Yeah,” said Bill briefly.
“Can Ken speak while you’re drinking water?”
Bill laughed and Ken gave Cray some side-eye but eventually chuckled.
“You’re a funny guy when you want to be Cray. You should try it more often.
“Oh, by the way, these are for you. Compliments of the kitchen crew.”
Ken handed over a small cooler and a very thick thermos.
“What is this?” asked Cray looking at the thermos.
“Electric powered, so you can have hot coffee in the morning or anytime you like.”
“Tell them thank you for me,” said Cray, while his mind went elsewhere.
First the leash tightening, then the pampering, Cray thought. Controller tactics by the book.
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