CHAPTER 21-1
671 Words
CHAPTER 21As they had done two days ago, Prado and Merv showed up at 7:00 in the morning to watch Christopher Bartolucci, the manager at Rivercore Northwest Bank, arrive at work. Prado insisted that Merv’s clothing had to match exactly so as not to raise the suspicions of the other bank employees. They parked across the street because the lots immediately adjacent to the bank were empty. A lone car with two occupants staring at a bank before it opened was bound to draw attention.
Prado glanced at his watch and lifted a small pair of binoculars to his eyes. A maroon Buick pulled into the bank manager’s marked parking spot. “I do appreciate a man who is a slave to routine,” Prado said, more to himself than to Merv, who still looked like the bank manager’s doppelgänger. “Right on time and, as usual, sporting a white pinpoint oxford and olive khakis. Today’s tie color appears to be a black-and-olive pattern. We’ll pick it up at J. C. Penney at the other end of the mall when it opens.”
In the passenger seat, Merv fidgeted with the clasps on the leather briefcase propped up between his legs on the floor below the dashboard and said, “I’m sure he doesn’t buy everything he wears at J. C. Penney. What if we don’t find the tie?”
“Given Mr. Bartolucci’s nearly obsessive devotion to uniformity and habit, I’d be surprised if we don’t. But if not, I’m sure we can find one that is equally unremarkable using the same color palette. You only have to pass as the manager for a few minutes after the armored truck delivery is made this afternoon.”
“You mean we, right? You’re going in with me,” Merv said.
Prado lowered the binoculars, turned his head slowly and locked his narrowing eyes on Merv. “No, I am not going in with you. That is not how we planned and practiced this little venture. I’m staying out here to keep an eye on things, in case something unanticipated happens. You’ll go into the bank when the manager leaves for lunch. You’ve got your webcam like before, so I can follow what’s going on inside. That way, all the bases are covered.”
“All your bases are covered. I’m the one whose ass is on the line in there.” Merv jerkily pointed to the bank across the road. “What happens if something goes wrong? You’ll scoot along and leave me holding the bag, right?”
“Wrong. What if a police cruiser happens by while you are in there?”
“What if it does? I’m the bank manager. It’s not like I’m sticking a gun in a teller’s face and slipping her a note to give me all the money. I’m going to walk in, load up the briefcase and walk out.”
“Exactly. And, if I’m tagging along, that’s going to look odd to the bank employees, don’t you think?”
“I don’t want you there holding my hand. Why can’t you go in and play like you’re a customer? I’d feel a lot better knowing you were in there with me, just in case.”
“You understand that I won’t be armed. If things go wrong, there is not much I can do from inside the bank. At least if I’m behind the wheel of the car, we will have a better chance of making a smooth getaway. It will take longer if we both have to make a break for the car.”
“If you’re in there with me, I know we’re in this together,” Merv said, looking down like a sulking child. “If not, I don’t think I would be comfortable doing this.”
Prado slapped his palm against the steering wheel. “You might have said something earlier when we were planning and doing the practice run.”
Merv shrugged. “I guess it didn’t occur to me.”
“Okay, here’s how it’s going to go. You do everything exactly the way you practiced it. I will go in the bank a few steps behind you, stand in the lobby area and pretend to fill out a deposit slip. After you pick up the money and I see you returning from the secured area, I’ll exit the bank ahead of you so I get to the car first. That way, I’ll be in place if we need to make a hasty retreat. Is that acceptable to you?”
“Yeah, that’s acceptable.” Merv nodded.
“Let’s go get the tie.” Prado started the car and threw it into gear with more force than he intended.
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- Writer
