Page 56 of Takedown in Savannah
“From what I’ve been able to piece together, the gangbangers stole some uniforms and have been using them to commit their crimes.”
Shrimpy looked away, a sign he knew something about it. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Could be. Like I said, they’re a rough bunch. It’s not a good idea for you to start poking around.”
“It’s a little late.” Dernice took a step closer. “What else do you know?”
“A major heist is in the works.”
“How major?”
“Bigger than anything I’ve ever heard of,” Shrimpy said.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Is this a rumor or a fact?” she asked.
“Fact.” Shrimpy rolled his shoulders, a sign Dernice knew meant he was nervous.
“How do you know?”
“Because I accidentally overheard a conversation.”
“About the heist?”
“Look.” Shrimpy’s voice was barely above a whisper. “The dock supervisor was talkin’ to a guy who’s been hanging around about some big money coming their way tonight on a cargo ship. I wasn’t supposed to hear the conversation.”
“Did they…do they know you were listening?”
“I’m not sure. The supervisor keeps walking by, giving me weird looks.”
“Seems to me if they knew you overheard them, the supervisor put you in the liability column,” Dernice said. “There’s no way he’s gonna let you walk if he thinks you overheard the plan. So, it’s happening here on the river?”
“They’re waiting for a big, beautiful cargo ship full of pharmaceutical drugs,” he said. “Worth a lot of money. They’ve been tracking it all the way across the ocean. It’s scheduled to come through between eleven and twelve tonight.”
“And the San Maris Gang will be waiting for it?”
Shrimpy nodded. “I got outta there while they were still talking.” He told her he’d noticed the guy lurking around the last couple of days, watching him. “I figured he was casing the joint. Turns out he was scoping the place out as part of the heist.”
“Did you tell your boss…the supervisor’s boss or call the cops?”
“I don’t need that kind of scrutiny, you know what I mean? With my luck, the cops would start looking at me as a potential insider.”
Dernice thought about Luigi, who was in a similar situation. Guilt by association à la his past, even though he was innocent. It was a tough spot, making it almost impossible for formerconvicts to do the right thing. She couldn’t blame him, not in the least.
“I get it.” Her uneasy feeling returned. “You need to be careful. They could be watching right now.”
Shrimpy pulled a pack of Marlboro Reds from his pocket and lit one. “You know it.” He took a drag and blew the smoke over her head. “We spoke too soon.”
Dernice stiffened. “You see him? Your supervisor?”
“No. The guy makin’ the deal. Don’t look now. He’s over by the dock talkin’ on his cell phone.” Shrimpy shoved the pack of cigarettes into his front pocket. He grasped Dernice’s arm and began propelling her in the opposite direction. “I finished my shift and am gonna head home and stay on the down-low. I suggest you do the same.”
Reaching the main road, Shrimpy issued a final warning and took off. Moving at a fast clip, he disappeared behind a building.
Dernice didn’t dare look. She didn’t have to. She’d been in more than her share of tight situations and knew she was being followed.
