“I don’t know.The kid’s bringing it in now.”Web looked, and the kid had opened his trunk.“From here, it looks like it’s a box about fourteen- or sixteen-inches square.He’s bringing it in now.”
“He can’t leave it?”
“Instructions say recipient’s signature only, and I’m not about to send him to the compound.”
“No, we don’t want that.Me an’ Trent’ll head over.”
“Thanks.”He ended the call as the kid walked in with the box and set it on the counter.“They’re on their way,” he told the driver.
“Thanks!I appreciate it.This is my last delivery of the day, and I still have to drive all the way down south to Palouse next for a rush priority pick-up.”
“That’s a hike for you in that car, isn’t it?”
He shrugged.“The van I usually use blew the transmission three days ago.They’re giving me mileage for using my own car until it’s back tomorrow.”
“They didn’t rent you a vehicle?”
Another shrug.“I just drive.It’s okay.”He grinned.“I got a free oil change and a new tire out of it so far.”
Web laughed.“Good for you.”He eyed the package and gave it a tentative, inconspicuous sniff.He didn’t sense anything like explosives.In fact…
“How heavy is that?”he asked.“Just out of curiosity,” he added when the kid scowled.
He looked at his tablet.“Says twelve pounds, two ounces.”He picked it up and hefted it but didn’t shake it.“Kinda feels like a bowling ball, maybe?”He set it back on the counter.“Weird it’s a rush shipment if that’s what it is.”
“We have a small, private bowling alley in town,” he lied.“League tournament coming up.Where’d it come from?”The kid eyed him.“Sorry, I’m nosy.It’s a small town, and I’m related to the Bleackes.”
“Ah.”Kid looked at his tablet.“Dropped off at a place in Seattle this morning for same-day rush shipment.”He tapped something.“Driven to our Spokane hub with the morning shipment, and then handed off to me.I had three other deliveries on the way out here, and the delivery timeframe was guaranteed same day, by 5:00 pm.”
“Huh.”Web grabbed his phone and texted Badger.
Get here FAST.We have a serious problem.Not the driver—the package.I have a suspicion what’s in it.
Because Web had seen some shit in his life.
And if he was wrong about the box’s contents…
Well, he’d eat them.
Badger texted him back seconds later.
Bomb?
Web replied.
No, but we need this clueless human kid out of here ASAP before it’s opened.
The kid was looking at his phone and happened to look up.Web made sure to fake a smile for him.
Badger replied.
Coming in hot.ETA 6.
Web tucked his phone in his back pocket and felt thankful no one else was in the store.“They’ll be here in about five minutes,” he told the kid.“Can I get you a water or something?”
“No, thanks.But can I use your bathroom?”
“Sure.”He pointed.“Right down there.”
