Baker's Luck

by D D Loomis

  A hand on my shoulder caused me to flinch away. “Another one gone,” I muttered. “No more…”

  After a couple of fumbling tries, I seated myself. A deep breath and vigorous scrubbing of my face helped bring my focus back to the here and now. I looked around the table; Marty, Tony and Dave sat down, sadness and anger intermingled on their faces.

  I took a deep breath, forcing my mind to focus. “Not sure about you guys, but I think if we try to hide from this bitch, it’d be a mistake. We need a plan of attack. One we can use now.”

  Dave shifted in his chair. “Agreed. But we need time to plan. We’re sitting ducks if we stay in this building. They know where it is.”

  “Prioritize,” Tony said. “We need to set up a priority of tasks, and do it now.”

  I wiped my eyes. “Okay, I think we’re agreed about relocating. And I think Willie just became a lesser problem for us, at least for the moment. We need to concentrate on getting rid of the primary threat.”

  The next two hours settled into a planning session, interrupted when Alice came through the door. “Wilbur will be okay, according to the doctor. Said the bullet passed through the calf muscle cleanly. Right now he’s tied up with the police. I left Nate with him. They’ll probably be back in another hour or so.” She dropped into a chair next to Marty, weariness crossing her face. “The cops got the name of which pier Wilbur and Charlie were on. Already got a team lookin’ for Charlie’s body.”

  Marty touched her shoulder, and she leaned into him. He glanced at us. “I got an idea how to do it, but it’s gonna take more than us to pull it off.”

  I shook my head. “I’m reluctant to put anyone else at risk, if we can help it.”

  Tony shrugged. “I’ve come up with a notion, too. Why don’t we each go over what we have, and see if there’s any combination we can use?”

  We were deep into our planning when my cell phone buzzed, making everyone jump. I keyed it on. “Hello?”

  “That you, Mister Baker? This is Agent Browder. You up for a visit?”

  I glanced around the table. “Um-Sure. When would you like to come over?”

  “I’m downstairs right now. The door’s locked.”

  “Be right there.” I hung up and looked around the room. “Remember Al, from the FBI? He’s downstairs. Wants to talk. Must’ve gotten word already about Charlie.”

  Tony hurried for the stairs. “I’ll let him in. Maybe the old fart has some information.”

  I took time to make coffee while getting Al settled in. Frustration had been creeping into the room, since a simple plan still evaded us in getting rid of Crosby.

  Al took a drink of coffee, nodding approvingly. “Good stuff. Helps me focus.” He set his cup down. “Really too bad one of your friends was killed. Just before I got here I heard they’d found the body. If it was me, I’d probably be trying to come up with a plan to get even, and protect ever’one else.”

  Tony glanced at us before answering. “And your point is?”

  “I can’t go along with just killin’ her, she needs to be arrested and tried in a court of law. And I’d like to use you folks to help me capture her.” He reached under the table, extracting a button-sized microphone.

  Dead silence greeted his actions. My mind was busily wondering what we’d said that might get us in more trouble than we’d been before. “What the hell’re you doing…”

  He waved a hand, cutting me off. “I know, highly illegal. So’re the other two I planted the other day. Didn’t plant ‘em to get evidence on you. Just wanted to gather more information about what’s going on ‘round here. Glad I did, too.” He shifted in his chair, and tossed the mike on the table. “Y’see, I actually have a plan to nail Miss Crosby. If you promise you won’t kill her.”

  I looked around the table, getting silent nods. “Reluctantly, I agree. But if she gets out of jail, for any reason, all bets are off.”

  He gave a half smile. “Sounds good.” He dug out his phone, and punched in some numbers. “Hey, Brad. Bring the others on up. We got some work to do.” He put his phone away, a satisfied look on his face. “Had my team waiting outside until we could clear the air a bit. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Tony shook his head, a chuckle slipping out. “Same old Al. Two steps ahead of everyone else.”

  I shrugged. “You got any ideas about where we could relocate our offices? This isn’t the healthiest of places, since Crosby knows where it is.”

  He gave a quick nod. “Got the perfect place. Not only secure, but easily guarded. Plus it’s empty right now. Ready to move in?”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Twenty-four hours skidded by as our office was moved to a large safe house in Auburn, fifteen miles away. This one was close to the Green River Community College and had a more private setting. The two-story structure was on a two acre lot, and boasted a three car garage. A tunnel led from the garage into the basement of the house, where we set up our office. I gave one last look outside before heading back into the garage with Al.

  He pointed at the rusted metal fittings on the four garage doors. “It’s the oldest safe house still on our books. We’re going to decommission it this year. Still perfect for hiding you folks, though.”

  We clattered down a flight of steps and strolled through the fifteen-foot tunnel. Solid concrete on all sides. Nice. Inside was even nicer, with a large thirty by forty foot room. The walls were bare, needing something to cover the cement bricks.

  Alice came skipping down the stairs, a huge smile on her face. “Those are great bedrooms on the top floor. It may have 80’s décor, but the furniture is good quality. What there is of it.”

  One corner of the basement was already in use. Wilbur had set up his computers and electronics, filling almost a quarter of the space. “Mister Browder, I gotta thank you for giving me the chance to work with up-to-date equipment.” His bloodshot eyes glinted, underlining the weariness obvious in his every move. God, he looked exhausted. “I only had to install one piece of my own hardware, and some of the software is even better than what I have.”

  I smiled at the enthusiasm in his voice. He’d become his old self once immersed in the computers and electronic gadgets now surrounding him. “You’ve been down here almost twenty hours. Don’t you think you’d better get some sleep?”

  “Almost done, then I’ll grab some down time,” he said, turning back to the equipment in front of him.

  “Good. Don’t want you going flaky on us when we really need you.”

  Let’s take a tour of the place,” Al said. “Need to make sure you know all the bells and whistles we’ve built into this place over the years.”

  It was another two days before I felt we were totally settled in. Using the feds equipment, Wilbur had been able to set up communications so that our phone numbers remained the same. Anyone calling or emailing us wouldn’t know we’d left our original office, as everything was automatically routed here. Cubicles instead of private offices lined the walls. Business returned to normal, with the exception of anything needing a visit from one of us meant at least two went. No sense taking chances.

  I trotted downstairs, and headed for Marty’s cubicle where I parked myself in the extra chair across from his desk. “I haven’t heard anything from the FBI since Al left. You got any news on their efforts to catch Crosby?”

  He looked up from his computer screen. “Nope. But remember, he said it’d take a few days. We just need to keep our patience and see what happens. Not much else we can do, is there?”

  I leaned back, clasping hands behind my head. “Probably not. But I did get word from the federal office that’s responsible for this place. Said they might be able to trade straight across for our digs in Seattle, if it assesses out like they think it will.”

  He nodded with a smile. “That’d be good. This place is much nicer inside, even if it is older.” He turned the sc
reen of his computer towards me. “In the meantime, my cousin Jake sent me a note. He’s one of the bosses for security at the Bellevue Square mall. Wants some training for his folks concernin’ shoplifters and pickpockets. Seems they’ve gotten an uptick in that kinda activity the past month.”

  I studied the screen. “That name seems familiar-Jake Spence. Wasn’t he one of the crew that gave us a hand recently?”

  “Yep. I think he liked the two grand you gave him for a night’s work, ‘specially since I told him he’d only make one. Kinda repayin’ us for the extra, I think.”

  I pushed the computer towards him. “Sure. Do they have any video coverage of the mall, especially when crowded?”

  “Yep. ‘Bout ten hours worth, he said.”

  Since he’s a relative, how about we review the film for free and only charge for the class?”

  He brightened. “Good idea. That’ll help on gettin’ repeat business from his company, too.” He made a sweeping gesture. “My only question is if it’ll be too risky for us, in our present situation.”

  I shook my head. “Don’t think so, long as we keep our activities restricted. And I think doing classes for private organizations fits that criteria. Just don’t want to do too much in a public setting that’d draw attention.”

  “And rememberin’ to at least have one other person with you when you leave here,” he said. “We’re probably gonna get bored pretty quick, unless we can do these kinda things.”

  I stood, moving towards my own cubicle. “Yeah. At least Nate and Tony can keep busy with auditing contracts and repos. Dave and Wilbur are the ones who might go stir crazy first, if we have to keep waiting for the feds to find Crosby.”

  “No problem there,” he said. “Wilbur’s been continuing his search. If he finds something interesting, he and Dave chase it down. Usually by computer, but sometimes they have to hit the pavement.”

  I stopped and turned back. “They’re not…”

  Marty made a calming motion with his hand. “Naw, they usually gather information from records that haven’t been digitized. Only been visitin’ government buildings. An’ everyone’s takin’ your advice about changing their appearance at least a little.”

  I shrugged. “Sorry to seem like a daddy. Just don’t want us to take any chances. Until we need to, anyway.”

  “No problem, someone’s gotta do it,” Marty said with a smile. “I’ll send the video file to your computer, and set up the class for three days from now. That enough time?”

  “Should be.” I sauntered to my cubicle. It felt good to have something to do other than stew about matters over which we had no control. I clicked on my computer and sat.

  * * *

  I scanned the seated members of the class, satisfied at their attentiveness. Good. So far my spiel was getting their interest. “…So even though the crowds aren’t always thick, it doesn’t mean a good pickpocket can’t set up a boost.” I hit the go button on the video. “Watch the man in the brown coat. Looks like a normal person, doesn’t he? Well, he’s about to do what’s called an easy dip.” The film showed me closing in on Tony. “Note how he doesn’t stare directly at the person he’s going to pick. Very important, as the victim can sometimes feel it when you concentrate on them.”

  Within moments, I’d boosted Tony’s wallet. “Did you see how the suspect waited until the victim was brushed by someone before dipping his fingers into the pocket at the same time he was touched? Also, ideally, the victim’s weight should be on the leg opposite from the pocket. Tends to make the wallet easier to lift.”

  A hand went up. “Mister Baker, is it true we have to catch them with the wallet in their possession?”

  I nodded. “Good question. And yes, that’s best. Or at least witness the handoff, and nab both of them. That’s why it’s good to know ahead of time who you’re watching, and identify their handoff person. Watching your taped videos for the time frame when the pick was done is also a way to make an arrest. Much better to catch them with their hand in the cookie jar, though.” I shut off the video. “Now let’s go over shoplifters, and how to detect them.”

  By the end of the day, I felt confident the class had absorbed enough to help trim back the ears of the ring of pickpockets and shoplifters. Next day was spent with Jake, their supervisor and Marty’s cousin. He was definitely interested in the five people we’d identified as their security problem.

  He pointed at one of the pictures I‘d placed on his desk. “A girl? She doesn’t even look old enough to be in high school. The others, maybe. But Jeez, what kinda gang is this?” Being thin and several inches shorter than Marty, there wasn’t much family resemblance.

  I leaned forward and tapped the picture of the girl. “This one is twenty, and you’re right. The others are probably all in high school. You might need to get the local or state police involved to find out if they have a handler. Usually following a day at the mall or wherever, they turn over all their stuff to a middleman, after taking their cut. That way they gain a level of protection from other gangs, among other benefits.”

  Jake leaned forward, staring at the pictures while he scratched his inch-long beard. “So what can we do besides getting the cops involved? They can’t be around all the time.”

  “No, but you can.” I picked up the picture of the 20-year-old. “If the cops can’t stop them, visiting the home of the person they drop their stuff off to might help. Put a fear of mall cop into them.”

  His eyes widened. “Y’mean beat ‘em up?”

  I grinned while setting the picture down. “No, probably a good scare and maybe a little bit of property damage would do the job. They prefer working places that don’t constitute a personal threat.” I passed over the video files we’d gotten from them earlier. “Here are your videos back. Now that your crew knows what to look for, you should be able to put a stop to this in short order.”

  Marty walked in, finally having broken free from the questions the last class had been bouncing off him. “Don’t be afraid to gimme a call if you have any problems. ‘Specially if the cops give you any grief. We have contacts at the local and state level that’ll put a stop to any foot-draggin’ that might happen.”

  After our final goodbyes, we piled into my SUV. “You didn’t let them know about the drug deals going on, did you?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “Naw, I think you’re right. We should handle that part of it. Might get lucky and find the next couple guys in the chain. Lead us to the head of the snake.”

  I pulled out into traffic. “Hopefully that’d be Crosby. Maybe even her location.”

  Marty laughed. “Dream on, man. She’s got herself covered better that that. But worth the chance. If nothin’ else, we could get in good with the cops if we showed ‘em a nest of vipers to play with.”

  A day later, Tony and Nate were in Bellevue Square Mall, and able to easily follow the pusher when he left. Marty had them miked up and kept us following along with the action. “Guy showed up at six, and will probably leave when the mall closes or he runs outta shit.”

  Nate’s tinny voice came over the speaker. “Musta run out of merchandise. Only eight, and he’s heading out already.”

  “Don’t let him spot you,” Marty said. “We need to know who his supplier is.”

  “Yes, Mommy,” Tony said, causing a muffled burst of laughter from the direction of Alice’s cubicle.

  It took three more days of cautious creeping and peeking before we found the third layer of bosses for this particular pusher.

  “Damn it,” groused Nate. “Just phone calls to get the shit delivered. And from an untraceable phone number.”

  I shrugged. “Further than I thought we’d get. But now we can up the ante. While Wilbur works on finding the location with the information we got, does anyone want to go on a visit the next time this turkey leaves his place?”

  Marty and I only ha
d to wait an hour the next afternoon before the pusher left his condo. A twenty minute wait to make sure he didn’t return right away and we moved in, wearing Puget Sound Energy uniforms. I was through the front entrance within seconds, since I had a master key for the lock. Inside, it looked like a bomb had gone off. Marty made a face, holding his nose as we picked our way through the place, moving silently until we were sure no one else was at home.

  I carefully searched the second bedroom that had been turned into an office, while Marty prowled the rest of the place. Surprisingly enough, the office was neat as a pin. As were his paper files, which made it easy to inspect them. Nothing of interest, so it was on to the computer. Wilbur had given me a thumb drive to plug into it. I turned it on and downloaded the contents of the computer onto the flash drive. Now, supposedly, Wilbur could search through his entire set of computer files, as well as any new ones he added. All without being detected.

  Marty appeared, giving me a high sign.

  I stood, moving towards the front door. “How much did you find?” I murmured.

  “Couple ounces of cocaine,” he whispered.

  “Anything else?”

  At his headshake, I pointed to the door. “Then let’s boogie.”

  * * *

  It was almost eight and darkening up nicely when we piled out of my vehicle and headed inside. “Have to see if Wilbur’s getting anything from the program we just planted,” I said.

  Marty nodded. “You do that while I see if anyone ordered anything for dinner yet. I’m hungry.” He veered towards Wilbur’s desk. “Hey, anyone thought to call in for a pizza or anything?”

  Wilbur looked up with a glazed expression that rapidly cleared. “Hm? Oh-no, not me.” He looked at his watch. “Jeez, where’s the time gone? You might check with Alice. She should be back by now.”

  Marty stopped in mid-turn. “Whatcha mean, be back? Did she go somewhere?”