Chapter 67
Leon Pace held the first round of meetings with his contacts in local government.
“Here is your payment.”
“It’s been a while, man. When your cousin got arrested, I was worried.”
“It’s unfortunate, but life goes on. We are now back on schedule. Do you have any information for me?”
“Yes. The fair employment practice investigations are not the only things coming down. There will be health and safety inspections coming as another excuse to poke around businesses for anything fishy.”
“I’ll give my people a heads up. Anything else?”
“Not right now, but I'll keep my eyes open.”
“Thanks.”
It was the same story with the other contacts. Everyone was happy the payroll was back on schedule, but information was scarce. People seemed cautious; it would take time for things to return to normal.
One step at a time, thought Leon. He was just happy to be back in business. It wasn’t much compared to Star Candy or Sparkles, but he had to be satisfied with what he could get.
***
Trenchard reviewed the details on his next target. Alan Groosjean was a local official in the city government. He was an efficiency expert who shifted between departments giving recommendations for improvement. This would make him valuable to the organization, thought Sam. A single contact with information on multiple groups and organizations.
This would be different from his previous business targets. Groosjean had just one private residence. Trenchard was surprised there was no second vacation home, but some people chose to spend their money on hotels or cruises instead.
The house was in a gated community in the suburbs. Residents needed a code or clicker to get through the entrance, but the community was not upscale enough to rate a security guard on duty. Sam followed a delivery truck through the gate and parked down the cul-de-sac from the target address. It was a two story, 2200 square foot home. Fortunately, the community was not built so the residents could shake hands from their windows. There was ample space on each lot for trees and bushes that would conceal Trenchard’s approach.
Sam conducted his usual surveillance and found a weekend when the family would be away on a camping trip. Making his way through the darkness to a side window, he neutralized the security system and made his way inside. In the master bedroom, he found another floor safe. Another penny pincher who would pay the price for a cheap purchase, thought Trenchard with an amused grin. He cracked the combination, removed the contents, and made his way out of the house and community.
***
Simon was eager to accept the goods at their meeting. Sam handed over the package.
“And the electronics too. Nice job. Here is the folder for your next assignment. Off you go.”
It was all very orderly, thought Trenchard as he walked away. Almost like a business. Sam amused himself with images of thieves taking tickets in line as if from a bakery, turning in their stolen proceeds one at a time.
The smile faded as the realization struck him. Did he really think he was the only one pulling jobs of this nature for the organization?