Simply Lies

Chapter 69

The medical transport van pulled away from The Feathers senior living community with four passengers in it.

Sam Trask had on a suit jacket and pleated slacks, and he absently read a newspaper as the van rolled along. His rollator was parked in the back, along with a wheelchair for another passenger. He carried a portable oxygen supply with him. The passengers would be picked back up at designated spots and at prearranged times.

Trask, for his part, was looking forward to seeing a movie for the first time in a while, inside a real movie theater while munching on popcorn. He glanced out the window. If he noted the black SUV following behind, he made no sign.

He was the third one to be dropped off. Using his rollator he walked inside the theater, bought his ticket and his small bag of popcorn, and made his way to his show. The black SUV parked across the street and a man got out, hustled over to the theater, bought a ticket, searched each of the interior theaters until he saw Trask sitting by himself and munching popcorn. There were a few other patrons scattered around as the lights went down. The man checked this all out and left.

As soon as Gibson saw the man leave, she scooted over next to Trask, while Francine did the same on the other side. Trask offered them popcorn, which they both accepted.

“The big bad wolf is gone, I take it,” said Trask.

“I guess your son’s muscle aren’t into movies,” said Gibson.

“I’m glad you took my advice and teamed up, ladies,” he said.

“We’re still feeling our way,” said Gibson, glancing at Francine, who stared straight ahead. “And we might fall right on our faces.”

Francine said, “Or we might not. Okay, the plan is, I’m going to deliver the goods to your son.”

“Then you’ll need the goods to deliver.”

“That’s where you and your people come in,” she said. “He wants his money back. Fifty million dollars is what he told me when we met. A drop in the bucket to a guy like him, but it’s not the money.”

Trask said, “If he can get ripped off, he’s vulnerable to the other hyenas in the jungle.”

“Which is why Mickey surreptitiously planted certain information on the dark web that alludes to this having happened to him, and I, using multiple untraceable IP addresses, spread that muck around. That will make him desperate to resolve this. And desperation makes people less careful than they otherwise would be.”

“Go on. I like how this is shaping up.”

“And Mickey came up with an absolutely brilliant plan to tackle your son.”

Gibson took up the story. “It comes from tracking down rich deadbeats online for the last two years. You learn some sources, methods... and tricks.”

“Sounds intriguing.”

Francine said, “Then you’re going to love the next part.”

However, as he listened Trask’s smile faded. “I can’t let you do that. It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s the only way,” said Francine. “And how many times did you risk your life for the greater good?”

“We know what we’re doing, Sam,” added Gibson. “And he already knows about us. If we don’t pull this off that will be hanging over our heads forever.”

Trask sat there for a few moments, munched his popcorn, and finally nodded. “All right, and I think I can provide the very help you’ll need.”

“Good,” said Francine.

“Because it’s going to take all of us,” added Gibson.