Eraser Ch.1.
#1 of Eraser
So I'm relaxing in my den after completing my latest job, a cold can of soda in my right paw, a copy of today's newspaper open on my lap, I sigh a little as I read about what is going on in the world around me, from kidnappings to bombings, from sex scandals to big bank heists, "Why the hell do I bother to buy a newspaper every day when I can see the depravity through my own Rottweiler eyes?"
I take another tug on my can of soda before placing it on the coffee table in front of me I then spot the ad that I had placed in some of the local and national newspapers.
'Need something sorting? Then email the word TROUBLE to the email address below and I will reply to you as soon as I can.'
A simple ad for what could turn out to be a pretty complex job, I never know what I could be facing when I get that email notification, someone wanting my help to find their lost kitty, Nah unless that kitty is the ruler of some country or is some sort of head of state, now someone feeling threatened and afraid that is what gets my attention.
My ears pick up the sound of my email notification, Well there is my next possible job, obviously, it could just be junk mail which is dealt with accordingly. I sit at my computer and open my email page, sure enough, some of it is junk and gets deleted but there is one there with the trigger word TROUBLE.
I open the email and send my reply.
"You have reached out to Silver Services, send a reply with a brief description of your issues."
I leave my email page open and then sit back in my easy chair and pick up my can of soda, I take a couple of pulls from the can before I hear the email notification again. I stand from my easy chair and carry my can of drink with me to my computer desk, I park my butt on the seat of my office chair and open the reply.
"I am a chief witness in a murder case, I'm supposed to be in protective custody but the guys who are supposed to be keeping me safe are nowhere to be seen, there should be two guys staying in the house with me at all times but they haven't arrived and this is day three so I should have them with me by now."
My interest is gained as I read the persons reply, I do have some contacts who work for the justice department, I pick up my cell phone and search my contact list for one of them, I find the name that I am looking for, Brandon Tusk, I press the call button and wait for him to answer.
"Colby, long time no woof my friend, what can I do for you?"
A smile spreads across my muzzle as I hear the Dalmatian's voice.
"Beam me up Spotty, I know that gets you wound up and is probably not the best way for me to ask your awesome self for help but I have a quandary for you if you are up for checking it out?"
I get a slight chuckle from the other end of the phone.
"Yeah, to anyone else who had just said that my reply would be short, two words to be precise, but you and I go quite a way back so that does afford you some degree of grace with me, anyway what is this quandary that has you calling me?"
We are both former SAS so I guess you could say that our bond is a strong one.
"I have had an email from someone claiming to be the chief witness in some sort of murder case, they say that they should have a round the clock security team looking after his health and well being throughout the case to include two live-in guys, the thing is though he is on his own, no live-in guys are with him."
I hear the Dalmatian clicking away at his computer.
"Well I can see that we have one case that matches your query and indeed the person should have live-in guards with him, Jason Tame and Paul Loftus in fact, so if the person needing to be guarded is telling you that his guards are not there, then I would say that is a cause for concern."
I know of the two guards by reputation and I know them to be incredibly professional so the fact that they are not at their post worries me greatly.
"Yeah Bran, I'm concerned, okay bud I am going to email the guy back and get his address so that I can go and see what is going on, I will text you when I know how much shit is hitting the fan."
With that I end the call and put my cell phone back on the desk in front of me, I then make my reply to the email guy.
"Please send me your address and I will come to see you."
Two minutes later I get the reply with the guy's address, I send one further email back.
"Okay, looking at your address I will be there in three quarters of an hour, I will be in the guise of a delivery guy, I will hand you a package, inside that package will be a cell phone, you will sign for the package to keep up the pretence that I am just delivering something to you, you will then head back inside your home and take the cell phone from the packaging, you will then text me using the phone to let me know that you have opened the package, once I receive that text you will get further instructions from me via text."
I click the send button on the email and then I begin to put my plan into action, I have many disguises that I use within my job plus a number of vehicles at my disposal so when I turn up to the guy's address to anyone looking I will just be any other delivery guy.
I make sure that my second cell phone is fully charged and has enough credit, I then leave it switched on and put it into a box, I then wrap the box in brown paper wrapping and put a white label on the front.
I finish my can of soda and leave the empty can on the coffee table, I head upstairs to get changed into my disguise. Once I am dressed I pick up the package and then head out to my backyard where my delivery truck is parked.
I arrive at the address on time, I am wearing a peaked cap and some sunglasses so that I can secretly scan my surroundings with my eyes, I leap from my delivery truck in true UPS delivery guy style and bound up the steps to the front door, I knock on the door and wait for it to be answered.
The door opens to reveal a slightly shivering young Fox.
"Good morning sir, I have a package for you that needs to be signed for."
I hand the Fox the clipboard that has a piece of paper on it and has a pen clipped to the side, the Fox takes the clipboard and then using the pen signs his name on the sheet of paper, he hands me the clipboard back and I give him his package.
"You have a good morning now sir."
With my delivery complete I bound down the steps and jump straight into the truck and head back towards my base, I am about five minutes gone when I get a text, 'Good he is following my instructions so far'.
I pull over to the side of the road and take out my cell phone, I check the message and then send him one back.
"Good, you are following my instructions, now I want you to wait for an hour and a half, you will then leave your home and drive to the old abandoned warehouse on Trueman Street, I will be watching your approach if I see anyone following you I will send you a text, don't bother reading it just drive around to the rear of the warehouse and in through the open door, if you don't get a text from me just pull up outside the front of the warehouse and me and the team will come and meet you, if you understand these instructions text me back with the word OKAY."
Thirty seconds later I get the OKAY reply and I continue to drive back to my base. I arrive back at my base and head upstairs to change into my regular clothing, once changed I take out my cell phone again and type out a group text to my team.
"Get to our warehouse, we have a job to do."
I press send and then head out to my backyard again where my 4X4 truck is waiting for me. I make the drive to the warehouse and find that like clockwork the three members of my backup team are waiting for me, Liam Banks a Hyena who takes no shit, Sly Nimes a hefty Shire Horse if he says jump you ask how high, and finally, Granger Wilkes, a Wolf who can take your down with a shot from a thousand meters or can be so soft and caring, like me all three of them are former members of the SAS and they are unfailingly loyal to me, I can trust either one of them with my life.
"Okay guys, we are protecting a guy who is a chief witness in a murder case, he is under protective custody but his protection detail is nowhere to be seen, so we are now the replacement team, I'm heading up to the crows nest to watch as he approaches, if he is being followed he will come through this door so I need it kept open until he drives inside, once he is inside I want the door closed quickly, if he is not being followed then we will go to plan B which will mean that you guys can head back home but stay alert as I may need you later."
The three all nod their heads, Sly heads inside the warehouse and raises the door in readiness, I park my 4X4 close to the rear entrance just in case we need to make a quick getaway, the three guys move their vehicles inside the warehouse and begin the waiting game.
I head up to the old loft that sits on the roof of the warehouse and then I take up position behind the wooden slats that will afford me a good view of the road but will keep me out of sight.
Fifteen minutes later and I see a car being driven towards the warehouse, I can also see a few meters back that there is a panel van following him slowly, I take out my phone and send him a blank text and I watch as he carries out the instructions that I had given him.
I quickly head back down into the warehouse and to where four vehicles are now standing.
"There is no time for introductions sir, but I want you to give the Hyena your car keys and house keys, he will then drive your car back to your place, you and I will head back to mine in my truck."
I give Liam a piece of paper with the guys address on it and then I dismiss the other two, I take hold of the guy's right wrist and lead him out to my truck, with all of the vehicles out of the warehouse Sly lowers the door again. We wait for Liam to drive away in the hopes that the panel van will follow him, the next to go is Granger, thirty seconds later I get a text from him to say that the van has taken the bait and is following the first car.
I fire up my trucks engine and then head off on a cross-country run to another main highway that runs behind the warehouse.
We drive in almost perfect silence back to my base as we arrive I see that both Granger and Sly are both waiting for me to open the door. It is now time for me to make the introductions to the guy and hopefully find out who he is too.