Read Online Project Northwest by C. B. Carter - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: C. B. Carter
Tags: tortured, bank robbery, help from a friend, bad week, cb carter, computer science skills, former college friend, home and office bugged, ots agent, project northwest, technological robbery, tortured into agreeing to a bank robbery, victim of his own greed
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reading the document. The meeting
ended with Mr. Stone welcoming the group and assuring all legal
cooperation. He then told James he would be paired with Shelly on
the side project. James’s heart jumped into his throat and he felt
everyone in the room could see his panic. He knew it had officially
started, he was sure Mr. Wright, and his linebacker friend were
toasting at that very moment to a job well done. Yes, they had
cornered the predictable, dependable James Spain. He was going to
be their patsy.
He put on his game face. What choice did he
have? “Great, should we get started then, Mrs. Spenser?” he asked
across the table to Shelly.
Shelly recognized the ruse, knew he was
scared to death, and in some small way felt sorry for him, but she
had a job to do and was under pressures of her own.
“Please, James, it’s Miss, and call me Shelly
or Shell. Absolutely, let’s grab one of the offices and get to
work.”
James, thinking quickly, looked to Mr. Stone
then back to Shelly. “I don’t have an office,” he broadcasted,
hoping Mr. Stone would pick up the hint and pair her with someone
else.
Mr. Stone countered, “Oh, thanks for
reminding me, James. One final thing, ladies, and gentlemen, before
we adjourn. Please join me in congratulating Mr. James Spain on the
tentative promotion to Examiner, Tier Two. James, follow me and
I’ll show you your new office.”
James could only think, man, criminals get
promoted quickly.
Mr. Stone and Miss Spenser engaged in
chitchat as James followed them to his new office. His co-workers
were all giving him the thumbs-up, symbolizing congratulations. The
news of his promotion traveled faster in the data room than the
bank’s numbers.
Mr. Stone, preparing to unlock the door,
pulled a key from his pocket, but didn’t need it—a phone-data
technician was exiting the room with a completed work order in
hand. The tech held the door open for the party and gave Miss
Spenser a once over. James noted the look, but couldn’t tell if the
tech was just admiring her beauty or subtly giving her a sign.
“Mr. Spain, I’ve programmed your original
office number on the phone,” said the tech as he held out the
paperwork to be signed.
His new office was the standard package. Bush
Fairview furniture, networked brick with 17 inch monitor, a
networked laser printer, VoIP phone, and two nice chairs centered
on the desk. James settled behind his new desk. He had waited for
this moment for two years and now it was soured and ruined by the
person pulling the empty seat up next to him.
Mr. Stone placed the office key on the desk.
“Well, Miss Spenser, it was a pleasure meeting you,” he said
flirting with her, his advance completely missed the mark and just
sat in the air, unreturned, “and, James, congratulations. Well,
I’ll let you two get to it.”
Shelly waited a moment and shut the door.
James leaned back in his chair and asked, “So I guess the room is
bugged?”
“Presumably,” she replied, taking her seat
and pulling out a vanilla folder file, labeled ‘Project NW’.
“We don’t have to do this, we could stop
right now, and no one would ever know,” James said as he pointed in
the general direction of the computer screen.
“The choice isn’t mine or yours. I suggest we
get started.”
At 10:49 AM, on Monday April 21st, 2008,
James entered his ID and password into the login dialog box, took a
deep breath, slowly exhaled, pressed enter, and said, “Let the
criminal enterprise begin.” He smugly looked at Shelly, waiting for
a response, waiting for her to direct him. The tension was more
than just an illusion. It was a lethargic, grating pendulum moving
back and forth, reminding them of each second that passed.
When she did respond, it was well calculated.
“We’re going to be working together for a while, weeks, or maybe
months, so we need to clear the air now. As long as you do what is
asked of you, you are in no danger of being outed here. In
ended with Mr. Stone welcoming the group and assuring all legal
cooperation. He then told James he would be paired with Shelly on
the side project. James’s heart jumped into his throat and he felt
everyone in the room could see his panic. He knew it had officially
started, he was sure Mr. Wright, and his linebacker friend were
toasting at that very moment to a job well done. Yes, they had
cornered the predictable, dependable James Spain. He was going to
be their patsy.
He put on his game face. What choice did he
have? “Great, should we get started then, Mrs. Spenser?” he asked
across the table to Shelly.
Shelly recognized the ruse, knew he was
scared to death, and in some small way felt sorry for him, but she
had a job to do and was under pressures of her own.
“Please, James, it’s Miss, and call me Shelly
or Shell. Absolutely, let’s grab one of the offices and get to
work.”
James, thinking quickly, looked to Mr. Stone
then back to Shelly. “I don’t have an office,” he broadcasted,
hoping Mr. Stone would pick up the hint and pair her with someone
else.
Mr. Stone countered, “Oh, thanks for
reminding me, James. One final thing, ladies, and gentlemen, before
we adjourn. Please join me in congratulating Mr. James Spain on the
tentative promotion to Examiner, Tier Two. James, follow me and
I’ll show you your new office.”
James could only think, man, criminals get
promoted quickly.
Mr. Stone and Miss Spenser engaged in
chitchat as James followed them to his new office. His co-workers
were all giving him the thumbs-up, symbolizing congratulations. The
news of his promotion traveled faster in the data room than the
bank’s numbers.
Mr. Stone, preparing to unlock the door,
pulled a key from his pocket, but didn’t need it—a phone-data
technician was exiting the room with a completed work order in
hand. The tech held the door open for the party and gave Miss
Spenser a once over. James noted the look, but couldn’t tell if the
tech was just admiring her beauty or subtly giving her a sign.
“Mr. Spain, I’ve programmed your original
office number on the phone,” said the tech as he held out the
paperwork to be signed.
His new office was the standard package. Bush
Fairview furniture, networked brick with 17 inch monitor, a
networked laser printer, VoIP phone, and two nice chairs centered
on the desk. James settled behind his new desk. He had waited for
this moment for two years and now it was soured and ruined by the
person pulling the empty seat up next to him.
Mr. Stone placed the office key on the desk.
“Well, Miss Spenser, it was a pleasure meeting you,” he said
flirting with her, his advance completely missed the mark and just
sat in the air, unreturned, “and, James, congratulations. Well,
I’ll let you two get to it.”
Shelly waited a moment and shut the door.
James leaned back in his chair and asked, “So I guess the room is
bugged?”
“Presumably,” she replied, taking her seat
and pulling out a vanilla folder file, labeled ‘Project NW’.
“We don’t have to do this, we could stop
right now, and no one would ever know,” James said as he pointed in
the general direction of the computer screen.
“The choice isn’t mine or yours. I suggest we
get started.”
At 10:49 AM, on Monday April 21st, 2008,
James entered his ID and password into the login dialog box, took a
deep breath, slowly exhaled, pressed enter, and said, “Let the
criminal enterprise begin.” He smugly looked at Shelly, waiting for
a response, waiting for her to direct him. The tension was more
than just an illusion. It was a lethargic, grating pendulum moving
back and forth, reminding them of each second that passed.
When she did respond, it was well calculated.
“We’re going to be working together for a while, weeks, or maybe
months, so we need to clear the air now. As long as you do what is
asked of you, you are in no danger of being outed here. In
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