Chapter 22

Setting the Table

Dempsey watched Buck unload a folding table and chairs from a truck outside the building and carry them inside, where he set them up. Dempsey stood and started walking across the large, empty floor. By the time he reached Buck, the younger man was draping a white tablecloth over the fiberglass table.

“What are you doing?

“I think that’s pretty obvious. I’m setting the table.” He pulled out a package of Chinet paper plates and red Solo cups. “I brought the good china.”

“Why are you setting a table?” Dempsey tried to keep his voice level.

“Our guests need a place to eat. It would be a bit uncivilized to make them eat in their room, don’t you think?”

“They aren’t our guests,” Dempsey said, feeling the blood rising in his face and knowing that this was exactly the reaction Buck was looking for. “And we are not supposed to be civilized.”

“I beg to differ,” Buck said. “They are our guests until we deliver them to the client. There’s no use treating them badly just because we took them against their will and used a little chloroform. I figure if we treat them kindly, they are much less likely to try to escape or call for help. It increases our chances of a payoff. Isn’t that what you want, Boss? A big payoff?”

“The more you drive in and out of that gate, the more you increase the chance that someone starts to ask questions.”

“You should tell that to your elusive bearded friend. The guard at the shack wasn’t at all interested in what I was bringing in or out. He was pumping me about all of the camera equipment and explosives the guy with the beard was hauling in. I would think a guy like that would be a little more discreet. Why do we need cameras and explosives anyway?”

“Because we are supposed to be a film crew.” The voice came from behind them, and both Dempsey and Buck jumped and reached for their guns. They relaxed when they saw the man with the beard emerging from the shadows.

“Sometimes the best way to hide is not to be seen at all.” He continued to walk until he was fully in the light. “And sometimes it’s to hide in plain sight. We rented this place as if we were working on an action movie. We demanded complete privacy, and we paid them a bunch of money. It would be a bit suspicious for a movie crew not to have cameras, and the explosives will reinforce the fact that if they hear any loud noises, they can chalk it up to an action scene.”

The man’s name was Morgan. Dempsey had worked with him many times before, but never on a job with Buck. Morgan talked to Dempsey when he spoke. He didn’t pay any attention to Buck, and Dempsey could see it got under Buck’s skin.

Morgan moved across the room toward the door. “I’ll start setting up the cameras,” he said over his shoulder. “You go ahead and have your picnic.” Then he walked out the door.

“That is one strange dude,” Buck said under his breath. “Why didn’t you tell me you were letting someone else in on our end of the job?”

“You know what you need to know,” Dempsey said. “And know this: don’t get any ideas about the woman. If we don’t deliver her, we don’t get paid, and if we don’t get paid, I have no use for you.”

“You worry too much, Boss. Hey, could you help me haul in that cooler?”