The Crossing Read Online Free

represented Black Diamond Insurance and I had successfully handled several cases for them.   They paid a 10% recovery fee plus all expenses, whether a recovery was made or not, and it was good work when I could get it.
    Bert and I exchanged greetings and I sat down on Joe’s couch.   They wasted no time, and quickly brought me up to date with the latest on Mr. Temple Truett and the events of the last few days.
    “So what do you think?” I asked when they finished.
    “I think he’s running,” Bert answered. “Since we have been unable to find any evidence or trail of the money, then it makes sense that he has an accomplice to help him hide the money.   Based upon Joe’s investigation, I believe Sandy Scarlet Rogers is that accomplice, and I believe if he ever gets on that plane to South America, we’ll never see them or the money again.”
    “But why the funny games with the train tickets?   I don’t get it.” I asked them both.
    “He’s being cautious,” Joe answered. “It will be the early morning hours when he boards the train in Memphis and that will make it easy for him to spot a tail.   I believe Sandy Rogers has the money, and has already left town headed to Jackson, Mississippi.   If Truett spots a tail or smells a rat, he’ll somehow signal her and she’ll never board the train.   In that case, we are right back where we started.”
    “Why not just pick up this Sandy Rogers?” I asked them both again.
    “What if we are wrong?” Bert answered. “In that case, we would still have nothing.   But I’ll bet my pet Labrador that if she boards that train in Jackson, she will have the money with her.   Make sense?”
    “Yes, it does,” I said, “and I bet you two guys have already formulated a plan, right?”
    “We’ve got a dandy!” Bert exclaimed. “Tell him about it, Joe.”
    “Boss, the chances are good that Temple Truett would recognize me if I were on that train.   I’ve been tailing him for two weeks and he’s had plenty of chances to get a good look at me.   However, he has no idea who you are and you should be able to watch him without giving him or Sandy Rogers a concern.   However, to be safe, we really don’t want to risk your boarding the train in an early morning hour here in Memphis.   So, our plan is to take my father’s plane and fly you to Chicago to board the City of New Orleans this afternoon.   That way, you will already be on the train when he gets on early Tuesday morning.   We know he’s suspicious and cautious, but he would never figure this one!   Then, Bert and I will fly directly from Chicago to New Orleans and meet the train when it arrives on Tuesday afternoon.   If it all goes according to plan, you will have retrieved the money, and Bert can take them both into custody when they get off the train.   What do you think?”
“What!” Was all I could think of to say!
    “We’ll discuss it on the way to the airport,” Bert said hurriedly. “We’ve already got your ticket and Joe has his father’s plane fueled and ready to go.   But if you’re going to make that train, we need to get moving.”
    “Oh shit,” I said for the second time this morning. “Okay, pick me up in the alley in front of the Rendezvous.   And before you do, have Marcie get another ticket for Liz.   Either she’ll kill me or be coming with me; I’ll know which one in the next five minutes!”
    ~
    I survived the initial conversation with Liz, and I’m not sure if it was the shock or the fact that I made her leave her lunch on her table – untouched!   However, between the Rendezvous and the airport, I heard the same two words repeated over 50 times – MAKE-UP and CLOTHES.   Meaning, she had neither and was simply not prepared to travel – PERIOD.   But, when our plane was somewhere over southern Illinois, she finally settled down and agreed to listen to the story and plan.
    “Carson, now let me get this straight,” she asked in a very serious voice.