Chapter 9 – The Dirty Bomb

Three hours earlier. Two buildings over and three back from where the team will end up this night is where the robber/terrorists are gathering to go to the Liberian ship. The ship docked right on time at five this afternoon. At eight forty-five Mr. Thompson is sitting in back of his Lincoln Continental. He is being chauffeured by Waters to the ship to pick up their 'package'. The rest of their gang follows behind in a large Chevy Suburban. They pull up as close as they can to the ship. Waters gets out and opens the door for Mr. Thompson. The rest of the men pile out of the Suburban, and move to positions to watch for any trouble. They are all armed with side-arms in holsters tucked neatly under their arms. Mr. Thompson and Waters walk up the gang plank, and onto the ship. He is met at the top by two armed men from the ship. They escort him back to the captain's cabin. There he is introduced to Captain D'Jean. "Ah, do I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Thompson?"

"Yes, you do. I'm here for one thing and one thing only. Do you have the agreed upon package for me?"

"Slow down, Mr. Thompson, we will get to that in a moment. How about a drink, to seal the deal? I have cognac, whiskey, or beer, if you prefer?"

"No thank you Captain. I never drink when I am conducting business. It can interfere with my judgment and I can't have that now, can I?"

"As you wish, maybe later after our business is over."

"Now, I believe we agreed on the price of one million dollars?"

"Yes, that was the agreed upon price. Do you have the money?"

Mr. Thompson nods his head at Waters. He opens up the briefcase he has been carrying. The Captain, picks up a stack of bills, flips through them, and smells the package.

"There is nothing like the smell of money, no?"

"Yes, I agree. Money does have a very distinct smell. Now, for my package?"

"Alright."

He gestures to his second in command who is guarding the door. He steps over to a large metal locker and unlocks it. He lifts the lid and reaches inside. He pulls out a large metal case. It appears heavy. He sits it on the top of the table next to the money case.

"Of course the case is lead lined to protect everyone in this room and my crew."

"Of course." Thompson again nods his head and Waters pulls a small Geiger counter out of his jacket. He turns it on and it starts clicking like a card in the spokes of a bike.

"It is registering at a low level, but it is definitely radio-active." Waters puts the Geiger counter back inside his jacket and reaches to pick up the case.

"So it is a deal, Mr. Thompson?"

"Yes, Captain D'Jean, it is a deal. It has been nice doing business with you."

"What are you planning to do with this plutonium, Mr. Thompson?"

"Just keep an eye on the headlines, you'll know soon enough."

Waters opens the door and let's Mr. Thompson pass in front of him and out the door. He follows with the heavy case in tow. They retrace their steps off the ship and to the waiting cars. Waters places the case in the back of the Suburban before climbing into the Lincoln. No sense in him and Mr. Thompson being exposed any more than necessary. The others? Well, they will not need to worry about growing old anyway. They are completely and utterly expendable.

They drive back to the warehouse and Waters pushes the button that automatically opens the large door for the cars to drive in and be unseen from the outside world.

"When is Douglas getting here? We need to get this thing put together and put things in motion."

"Tomorrow morning sir, he'll be here in plenty of time. Do you want to put the bomb in the school after he assembles it, or do you want him to assemble it at the school?"

"I think at the school. I really don't want you and the others driving around with the bomb ready to go off at any time. We don't want an accident to ruin our plans for ten million dollars. It would ruin a few other people's plans also, ha ha, so better to do it at the school."

"I'll put the case in the large safe. We wouldn't want someone to come along and steal it."

"No, Waters that would not be a good thing. Send the men home for a good night's sleep, and then you can drive me to my place."

"Alright, sir." He places the case in the safe, spins the tumbler and tells everyone to go home, get some sleep and most off all, keep their mouths shut.

Yes, tomorrow is going to be a busy day for all concerned.