A Pathway of Adversity
Chapter 14
"So, hold on a moment! You're telling me that you did some work for Angelo Rosetta?" Charlie cried, running her fingers through her hair, irritably.
"I'm sorry Serg' but he sorta... well, had me over a barrel!"
"I don't care where he had you, Watson! Why the hell didn't you tell me what was going on?"
"I would've done so, Charlie, but you haven't been... very approachable, lately. I didn't relish getting my head bitten off!"
"For God's sake! Okay... Well, you've told me now. Don't ever get involved with any of Rosetta's schemes in future – whatever hold he may have over you; just come to me, alright?"
"Yes, Charlie. Sorry."
"Right, well, you'd better give me the whole story."
Angelo Rosetta looked in through a window and could see a crowd of men talking in an adjoining room. They were standing around laughing and drinking; some were smoking cigars and some were looking nervous.
Joey Collins climbed a ladder and prepared to start brushing the cool, mint-green emulsion paint onto the smooth, plastered walls of her lounge. The furniture in the room had been mostly cleared away, apart from some heavier items, which Joey had protected with dust-covers. A knock at the door made her frown in frustration, but carefully, climbed down the ladder and rested her paint-brush on the top of the paint lid.
"Joey!" Alison cried with excitement as she barged her way in.
"Hey, come in! Why don't you!" Joey grinned as Alison pushed by her. "Mind the paint brush!"
"Look, I don't know if this will make a difference, but I've been checking out the 'audit trail' and I've noticed several recent entries which I think we need to investigate!"
Hugo Austen and the crowd of men he had joined, all settled down around a table to play cards. A bottle of Whiskey had been placed on the table; its contents, already half drunk. Hugo had his back directly to Angelo's view, but Angelo could see his movements quite clearly. He took out a camera from his pocket and placed it carefully at the window; taking one or two shots. He heard the sound of a car as it approached. Quickly, he placed the camera in his pocket and ran behind a nearby tree; waiting until the car had parked and its occupant safely inside the house. Angelo's heart beat rapidly as a bead of sweat ran down his temple. He watched as the door was opened by a man dressed in a black suit. The guest was admitted and he joined the other men at the card table. A little cheer went up and a few choice expletives were aimed at his tardiness.
"So what is he trying to prove?" Charlie asked, after Watson had told her all she knew.
"I think Hugo must have shit-on Angelo at sometime. He didn't tell me all the details, but he hates Hugo's guts!"
"Mmmm. Well, when Angelo hates, he hates big time. So you say he's out stalking him tonight?"
"Well, that was the plan."
"Okay, well, I think this might prove interesting! Georgie, I need you to help me."
"Why? What are you gonna do?"
"I need you to continue to work for Angelo, but on my behalf instead of his. But he mustn't know, okay?"
"Charlie! Are you serious?" Watson cried in astonishment.
"Deadly! I want you to go get back on 'his team'... beg him if necessary, but don't let him or Austen out of your sight!"
"Can I ask why?"
Charlie frowned. She wasn't quite ready to explain her reasons.
"Well, let's just say that I'm pursuing a line of enquiry of my own at present, and whatever you can learn, may be of some help."
Watson looked doubtful but agreed to assist.
"I managed to get hold of the audit trail which lists the different consignments that leave the warehouse, each day. Dispatch notes have to be cross-checked with delivery notes after the consignments are delivered. When delivery notes are issued, they come from a three part duplicate book; one which remains at the office; the dispatch note; one which is signed for by the client: its duplicate remaining with them; the signed delivery note is returned to the office for cross reference and filing.
"Okay..." Joey said, wiping her hands on an old rag. "So what have you discovered about these?"
"Every fifth delivery note is unsigned!"
"Unsigned? You mean..."
"I mean that delivery couldn't have taken place! I believe every fifth consignment is being smuggled out and... well... I haven't a clue what happens then."
Joey blew out her cheeks.
"Well, it's a possibility, but can we be sure? Couldn't it be a delivery driver who is just careless or shit at his job?"
"It's possible, Jo, but don't you think it's more than just coincidence that it's always the fifth consignment which goes unchecked?"
"It is strange, I must admit. So, the original dispatch note is cross checked by someone at the SBF and C, with a signed delivery note when it returns with the driver, right?" Joey asked.
"That's the theory, but someone must be fowling up in the dispatch office to allow this to happen! It's hardly a difficult system to follow, is it?"
Joey chewed the side of her mouth.
"So, we need to address this with the Dispatch Manager."
"Where the hell have you been?" Hugo hissed at the late arrival.
"Doing your filthy bidding, as usual!" The man hissed back, angrily. "I nearly got caught today!"
"Well, perhaps in future, you'll exercise some caution then; idiot!"
"Just remember, Austen, if I go down, I'm dragging every last one with me and that includes you, tosser!"
Hugo's face turned puce, and was about to retaliate when the large man pouring drinks and smoking an over-sized cigar, cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen! Shall we commence with the game?"
Angelo perched himself comfortably upon a nearby dustbin, and watched as the card game began. An hour into the session and he sighed; wondering if it really was worth his while sticking around on such a boring mission... when suddenly, he witnessed Hugo Austen slip a playing card into his shorts pocket and with subtlety, produced another from the inside of his trainer.