Story [Issue 17] Theft at the Factory - Part 2

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

 

The investigation continues

 

If you haven't, I'd advise you to go read Part 1 first.         

 

                Never had Jared seen a mess like this with no trace of the perpetrator. No hair, fingerprints, or tire marks; not a single clue pointing to who caused this mayhem.  It was as if the supplies were teleported out of the factory. "This must have been done by an experienced burglar who knows what he’s are doing." Jared thought, "Also had to have known what the parts were worth." Professional tools are worth a pretty penny, and the parts for Freeze aren’t your ordinary gun parts. When the ZRI (Zhukov Research Institute) finds out about this, changes will be made in a matter of hours. They paid big money to move operation’s overseas.

 

                The police arrived minutes later. Restless, Jared didn’t feel like talking to them now, and frankly, wanted to get away from their flashing lights. However, he would be breaking protocol. He could get accused of tampering with evidence and would look bad on him since he is Head of Security. But with no one in sight, he thought he’d be alright. To sneak away, he walked back to his truck to act like he was getting something, but was heading to a side entrance.  He entered the security room where over a dozen monitors watch the ins, outs, and inners of the facility. The stench of coffee embroils the room. This is very common because the guards have to stay awake somehow, but it was undoubtedly stronger than normal. Other than that, everything else seemed fine. Jared decided to go back outside to talk to the police, going out the way he went in.

 

                They hadn’t even gone through the door, only looking through. The two officers seemed rather dazed themselves. Never thought they’d be called out to the Lima Army Tank Plant facility for a break in. But they were about to be stunned even more by what they see once they enter. One of the officers stopped in mid conversation after noticing Jared walking back from his truck. 

 

“Where are you coming from, sir?” said the first officer. 

 

“I was grabbing something from my truck,” Jared explained, “forgot my flashlight.”

 

The first officer nodded while the second, a good friend of Jared’s, Deputy Sheriff Jack McCrimmon displayed a small smile.

 

“Hey Jared, how are you doing?”

 

“I’m doing alright Jack, you?"

 

“I’m fine, what happened here?” Jack asked. His countenance turned serious. No longer showing a smile or enlightening eyes, but a more austere grin and strict glare.

 

“We were broken into, approximately thirty minutes ago. Items and Equipment are missing. No evidence.”

 

“Huh, let’s take a look, shall we?”  Jack responded, holding a hand up towards the door

 

All of them went inside the entrance to the parts section of the plant. They first walk by pallets of the Freeze parts that were packaged and wrapped ready to be shipped to Russia, most of which were now knocked over, with what they contained now gone.  Drawers pulled off the shelves, now empty. Miscellaneous tool boxes, work tables, and parts are either missing or bent to the point of them being useless.

 

“My goodness; It looks like a hurricane went through here.”  Jack said, with his southern accent ever so clear.

 

“Yeah, yeah, I just want to know who did it and where my parts are!” Aleksey stated bluntly.

 

“OK okay, we’ll get right on it. My assistant here will do a short interview with you all and then we will continue investigating the premises.” Jack assured Aleksey, as he turned towards the door. “I’m going to call up our forensics guys and get them out here.”

 

“Good luck with that,” said Robert said rather snidely. “You won’t find anything.”

 

It was an unusual comment from the recent addition to the security team. Jared had thought he was a pretty straight forward guy. He didn’t doubt people like that, nor with such antipathy. The way it was said caused Jared to pull him to the side for a few words.

 

“C’mon now, don’t doubt them.” Jared said earnestly.

 

Robert grunted under his breath. “Even you know there’s nothing; and if there is nothing, then they won’t find anything.” He stated, turned, and walked away.

 

                Jared clinched his fists as he watched Robert walk out of the factory. He was disgusted with his behavior and is uncertain what to do.  The manner in which he put down fellow law enforcement was totally uncalled for. Jared will deal with him later. Right now, Jack is giving his officer orders and signals Jared over to them.

 

“I will need to interview your guys, even the ones that weren’t anywhere near this part of the facility, and of course you. Will be a good way to catch up with you; It’s been a while.” Jack said with a smile, “Officer Judd here will do the rest. We’ll start them tomorrow…” after looking at his watch, “later today?”

 

“Sure, have a good night.” Jack said, waving a hand while turning to leave.

 

“Thanks, you too; oh and it’s probably best to keep this quite, for now.” Jack iterated in a quieter tone.

 

“I know, see you later.”  Jared then got in his truck and left.

...

 

 

                Three more hours of sleep did very little for Jared. It of course took him twice as long to get up, he was not rushed.  He poured his morning coffee and sat down to watch the news. The first thing they covered after he started watching was the break in at the factory.  It was understandable, due to what part of the facility was affected and what was stolen; all of which was disclosed in the report.  They even mentioned that Zhukov Research Institute did not want to comment on the incident. “This is great” Jared thought sarcastically. “Hopefully their response is pleasant.” He finished his coffee and left for the factory. 

 

                He arrived at his normal time, 6:30 in the morning. He made rounds, checking on the night duty guards, dismissing them as his day time guys arrived. The investigation was still going on, with a few forensics guys still around, but eventually packed up and left. Only one of his night guards he did not account for, Robert. He then walked by the door leading to where the Freeze parts are made, where he saw him talking to the officer that had been with Jack earlier. He met eyes with the officer, who gave him an odd look. Jared looked away waiting for Robert to come out. Instead he went out a different entrance, totally bypassing Jared. The officer was paying no attention as he was talking to Jack.

 

Jared attempted to get Roberts attention. “HEY!” he yelled, and was ignored. He then turned around to see Jack and the officer.  

 

“Things are not lookin’ too good for you, Jared.” Jack said ominously. “Put your hands behind your back.”

 

“What’s going on?” Jared said with confusion.

 

“You are under arrest.” The officer said. He was then cuffed and put in a police car. 

 

Stay tuned to find out Jared's fate. Thanks for reading, and hope you enjoyed.

 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Vikingsrallentando

[q456wert 18]

Good Story

[remo132 0]

it looks quite good

[Vikingsrallentando 3,058]

I'm glad it looked good to you, but how was the read?

 

Looks as if this series may be left unfinished..

[Xerothermic 44]

Uh-huh, this is more like it.

Good job from you again.

[jazz20 1,181]

Nice job  ^_^