Take Two

CHAPTER 82

Reg McKenzie walked out of the Indian restaurant whistling softly. He’d bought a chicken korma and a lamb vindaloo with a pilau rice and added a bottle of Cobra lager even though the company rule was that drivers weren’t to drink at any time, even on overnight jobs when they were parked. He was on the outskirts of Glasgow with a delivery that had to be made first thing the next morning. The takeaway restaurant was a short walk from the truck park, which was one of the reasons he’d chosen to overnight there.

As he reached the truck park, his mobile rang and he fished it out of his jacket. It was his wife. He smiled and took the call. ‘Just going back to the truck,’ he said.

‘You didn’t get a curry, did you? You know what the doctor said about your ulcer.’

‘What do doctors know?’ said McKenzie. ‘Anyway, I got a korma and that’s as mild as you can get.’ He figured it best not to tell her about the vindaloo and the Cobra.

‘When will you be back?’ she asked.

‘Tomorrow, late evening,’ he said. ‘The traffic was fine today and I’ll be done here by nine-thirty in the morning.’

‘I’ll put a shepherd’s pie on,’ she said.

‘Lovely,’ said McKenzie.

‘And you drive carefully,’ she said.

‘You know I always do, Debs.’

‘Because I care.’

McKenzie smiled. ‘I know you do, honey,’ he said. ‘You sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.’

‘And you. You’re sleeping in the cab?’

‘It’s the cheapest option, you know that.’

‘But that mattress is doing your back no favours,’ she said. ‘You should insist the company pays for a decent hotel room.’

‘Debs, the way the economy is right now I’m lucky to have a job. Now don’t fuss, I’ll be just fine.’ McKenzie put the phone back in his pocket.

He reached his truck and grunted as he pulled himself up one-handed.

‘Reg?’ said a voice from behind him.

McKenzie dropped back to the ground and turned, wondering if a fellow truck driver had recognised him.

He frowned when he saw the big man in the black coat and his frown deepened when he saw the gun in the man’s hand. He was still frowning when the man pulled the trigger and the bullet slammed into the middle of his forehead, splattering bone, brains and blood over the door of his truck.