Diversion 1 - Diversion Read Online Free PDF Page B

and destroy every affected lot.”
“How much are we talking?” A new voice chimed in, from a man too stupid to realize now was not a good time to draw the bosss attention.
Kramer leaned over the table, studying the readout. He extended a finger andtapped out a few more numbers. “Between the recall, stolen product value, and destruction fees, this little hijacking stands to cost the company roughly forty-seven million dollars.”
Pandemonium followed. “Were insured, right?” and “Cant they still findthe trailer?”
A massive round of blamestorming followed, the doomed picking a sacrificial lamb to keep the wolves from their doors. When Lucky grew bored, he climbed to his feet, ready to get the real show on the road.
“A-hem,” he said, attempting to penetrate the chaos. The bickering executives ignored him. “May I have your attention, please,” he tried a little louder. The hissing and spitting calmed. He grinned lazily and quipped, “I just loooove attention.”
Walter stifled a laugh. Poor idiot laughed at anything.
Lucky smirked, anticipating the impact of his next words. “I believe I can solve your little theft problem.”
“And who are you?” someone demanded.
“Thats easy,” Lucky replied. “Im the SOB who stole your truck.”

CHAPTER 4
    Lucky took his time getting to the front to the room. Cocky? Sure. Hed earned the right.
“The thing to remember about Lucklighter is: if you happen to find a knife sticking from your back with his name on it, its your fault for giving him a target,” hed overheard Walter telling a coworker once. “If I were half as good at my job as Lucky is, I imagine Id be rather insufferable, too.” Only, Walter excelled at his job. And was equally insufferable, in his own way.
Lucky kept his eyes glued to the newbie, wondering if Walter had yet imparted those words of wisdom on the newest member of “the team.” When this day ended, Bo would have no doubts of exactly whose shoes he could never fill.
“What the hell did you do with our cargo?” Orange-tie-guy shouted, bolting from his chair. Lucky grinned and winked at the man whod hired him for the Raleigh plant and whod quickly forgotten him at the companys peril. “Mr. Kramer, Im calling security!”
Kramer held up a staying hand. “Youll do no such thing. Sit down and listen.”
The protester resumed his seat, shooting daggers at Lucky with his eyes. Lucky reached back into his memory, trying to produce a name, not that it mattered. The mans head was due to roll the moment Lucky finished his spiel. One less BMW parked in the executive parking lot come Monday morning. And the bastard hadnt even taken the time to find out the particulars of a heist from his own division.
“Your cargo is safe and sound, right where it should be—in your Orlando warehouse.” Am I bragging? After Friday night, I deserve to. I am the larcenous asshole!
“Mr. Kramer, I dont understand. If this man hijacked the shipment, why hasnt he been arrested?”
Kramers fleshy face purpled. “Hes not in custody because hes had my full cooperation in his investigation, and I was aware of the Bureaus intent to stage this little exercise, to test the soundness of our operating procedures.”
The CEO shouted to be heard over the outraged squawking of his minions. “Our security measures leave a lot to be desired. These men”—he nodded to Bo, Walter, and Lucky—“specialize in theft prevention in pharmaceutical supply chains, which includes locating and eliminating weaknesses. After what Ive seen this weekend, I thank my lucky stars theyre on my side.”
Im on nobodys side but my own .
Kramer had the floor—for the moment—and made full use of it. “Now that weve established that this isnt an actual emergency—yet—Ill open the floor to Mr. Smith and his associates, to enlighten us on how this situation might have been prevented.”
Walter smiled and nodded toward Lucky. Lucky dialed his cockiness down a notch or two. Time to put away