L.A. Dead (40 page)
Each had four clips of nine-mm ammunition and a box of double-ought shotgun shells. Each loaded four shells into a shotgun, racked one into the chamber, then loaded one more shell. Each put the spare ammo into the side pockets of the jumpsuits.
The leader glanced at his watch. “Right on schedule,” he said. Each weapon had had its serial number removed. None would ever be traced, except to the factory where it had been manufactured years before.
As he turned the van into the parking lot, the armored car entered the other end of the lot, exactly on time. He parked the van and switched off the engine. “It’s going to get hot in here,” he said, “but I don’t want anyone to notice a van with the motor running.”
He watched as the two guards in the armored car went through their drill; they looked bored. As they unloaded, a civilian, a man, drove up in a convertible, got out, and went inside. The guards regarded him closely, then entered. They were inside the building for less than two minutes, then returned to their vehicle and entered through the rear door, locking it behind them. The driver put the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot.
The leader waited while the armored car stopped for a traffic light, then turned left onto highway A1A. “Here we go,” he said. He started the engine and drove to the spot outside the main entrance that the armored car had just vacated. “Hats, masks, and goggles on,” he said. He waited ten seconds, then looked at his wristwatch, a chronograph. He pressed a button. “Two minutes,” he said, “starting
now
.”
Everybody got out of the van and started for the front door.
A Holly Barker Book
†A Stone Barrington Book
‡A Will Lee Book