Jackknife 28
Chapter 28 Full Performance Discharge
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“You’re not Richard Greenhalt?”
“No. Last I heard he was locked up somewhere.
“Can we get down to business?”
The man in black looked at his security duo and gestured with his chin. The suited woman came forward slowly, one hand reaching for the contract, the other high on the back of her hip.
Cray figured she had a gun or one of those spring loaded batons. He wasn’t eager to find out which.
The woman took the contract slowly and firmly, then backed away, right hand still at her hip. Out of the wings appeared a young man in a beige uniform, took the contract and ran it up the stairs.
It wasn’t hard for Cray to guess the man in black was the the secretive client. Cray disliked the guy already, but this is where the money was.
The man flipped through the contract like he had seen it a hundred times already, and he may well have. Suddenly, he cocked his head and put a finger to his ear.
“Well I’ll be damned, Silver Label pulled it off.”
If he knows that, realized Cray, they have confirmed the cargo. He turned to go to the trailers but was stopped before he took a step.
“Don’t bother. My people have verified the cargo already.”
“So the delivery is accepted then? Good, I am looking forward to the part where I get paid.”
“That will come through Silver Label Logistics. Once the other conditions have been confirmed.”
Sheer frustration heightened Cray’s sense of hollowness. He didn’t know how long he could continue to fight it.
“What other conditions?”
“Mainly your relationship with Richard Greenhalt.”
“There is no relation.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
“What do you know? You thought I was him when I arrived.”
“Of course! You did that same sliding thing like he— … No. Wait a minute, he didn’t pull the same trick, that was you. You’re the jackknife.
Cray stared holes through Malvorn’s being, saying nothing. Only Master Sergeant Mitchell could call him by that nickname and get away with it.
“You are either Silver Label’s best kept secret or they don’t know they have you. I’m going to bet on the latter. Interested in a better job when this one is done?”
“I’m interested in getting paid.”
Malvorn hesitated in thought a moment, head bobbing ever so slightly. He whipped out his phone and speed dialed with a thumb.
“Mark, pull the Silver Label Logistics contract Romeo Papa. Update it to Full Performance Discharge and release the funds immediately. Pay the driver’s bonus directly. When? Like yesterday.”
Malvorn put his phone away, glanced at his watch, and nodded at Cray. It was his turn. Cray pulled out the Silver Label phone and speed dialed Marie.
“Yeah, it’s Cray. I need you to get on the computer and check our account balance. O.K., good. I’ll call you later.
Cray nodded at Malvorn.
“All good.”
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