Precious Cargo

There are some right on this forum. Scroll down just a little ways and you will see "Pecos", which I just finished.

There is another thread titled "Longest time on the road". On the second page I made a post thata developed into a story called "Longest Load".
I have since started calling it "Darlington". I am redoing it behind the scenes and I put a little of the new version on there from time to time.

Go down a little further and you will find "Tale of Johnny Ray". That was my first attempt at anything long and I didn't know what I was doing. It is disjointed from me starting to many subplots and couldn't figure out how to tie them together like I wanted. Still some good stuff in there. I was really getting into the Viet-Nam stuff.

On the second page of this forum, look for "Shark Killer". The first thing I ever did. Thinking about a part 2 on that one.

 

"Check this out." Clyde said as he handed Eric three photos from the printer tray.
The first one was a close up of Eric behind the wheel of his Chevelle. The detail was amazing.
The thin scar running along his jawline from a motorcycle accident eleven years ago was clearly visible as was a tiny patch of beard stubble on his chin where he hurriedly shaved before coming here.
He passed the picture to Kay as he studied the one of her. The tiny initials engraved on a gold locket around her neck were legible and the slightest reflection from her eyes revealed she was wearing tinted contact lenses.
The third picture was merely a shot of the car's personalized license plate; ERIC67SS.
"The first two were taken as you turned into the driveway. The third as you passed the mailbox.
Jam up photography aside, I find this to be the most impressive." Clyde said as he handed Eric two more pieces of paper.
"Joe created this program. Of course, it helps that he knows people."
The first was a copy of the registration for the Chevelle.
The second was a copy of Eric's MVR.
"The tag picture automatically activated the registration search.
Your name on there triggered the MVR request. There are other options that can call up birth certificates, military discharge etc.
Of course, all that is useless if somebody is driving a rental car or a stolen one, for that matter.
I had all of that by the time I walked out on the porch to greet you."
Eric was looking hard at Joe by now, dejavu coming over him. Joe just looked at him and winked.
"The truck you will be driving is equipped with six outer remote cameras, along with two inside.
If you ever feel you are being tailed or watched, you can click away and we will recieve the images instantly and be able to advise you how to proceed.
Hopefully a stranger will never be in your cab, or cargo box, but if so, we will have their image."

 

Still satisfied from the barbeque, Eric and Kay skipped supper, choosing to share some popcorn while watching some television.
"Why so quiet?" Kay asked. "Not having second thoughts are you? I happen to think it's all pretty cool."
"Pretty creepy if you ask me. All that James Bond stuff. I don't mind a little excitement, but I don't want anybody trying to hijack my butt."
"Oh, I think you are overreacting. They seem like nice folks to me. Can't blame them for being careful. If they didn't think alot of you, they wouldn't be sharing that stuff with you."
"I know one of those guys."
'"Which one?"
"Joe."
"They looked the same to me." Kay said with a laugh.
"Almost all Federal agents look the same to me too. Joe was ATF. Who knows what the hell he is now."
"Eric, I have no idea what you are talking about."
So he told her the story of the FLP affair, which happened years before they met.
"That is the most incredible thing I have ever heard." she said when he completed the tale.
"Obviously they know all about it. Why does that worry you?"
"Maybe they expect me to do some underhanded stuff from time to time. That's just not me.
I did what I did to survive, but wouldn't go out of my way to repeat it."
"I don't think that's the case, hon. They are a high profile company with offices around the world.
I doubt if they operate like criminals. Think of it as a compliment that they don't hold your past against you.
They probably have faith in you being tough under pressure."
"I hope you are right, sweetie."

 

Eric gave Clyde a call early Tuesday morning to give him his final decision.
"That is great news, son. Welcome aboard. You ready to run?"
"Yes, sir. Ready as I will ever be." Eric answered.
"Just go on back out to SRS anytime today. Dan has your DOT physical card and your CCP.
They will insure the truck is loaded by the time you are ready to leave.
It is imperative you are standing on the front step, ringing the doorbell at 1945 HRS, Sunday night in Boston."
When you leave is up to you. You have been driving long enough to know how long it takes to get up there.
I was serious about you bringing Kay along. Heck, if yall don't have anything else to do, get up there a couple days early and find you a nice B&B out on Martha's Vineyard. Lodging is always on us.
You have my cell number if anything comes up. Other than that, we don't require check calls. No news is good news."

 

Thank you very much. That is the basis for the full length novel I am working on.
It is a stretched out, cleaned up version of that and that is not where it will end.
The fun begins when the FBI and the DEA get involved. The ending you read is actually page 111 in the manuscript and I am on page 123 right now.
Hoping for well over 300 pages. Trying to get in the range of the average paperback although plenty go around 500.