Murder On The Mainline - S01 E24

Story 1 day ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E24

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 24

He starts by washing down the windshield with the long handled water brush then steam and detergents the cab and scrubs with the long brush. He changes over to water only and starts rinsing. When done he waits for the water to stop dripping then climbs up and opens the sleeper curtain. He pulls out the bedding and his gear, piling it on the passenger seat. Next he gets the long hosed vacuum going and cleans out the sleeper. He uses it to clean the floor in the cab as well then climbs down to put away the vacuum. His garbage bag goes into the can. He hauls his bedding out to air, hanging it on the fence. Dirty sheets and pillowcases are tossed into a laundry bag to go home for washing. He goes back up into the sleeper and tidies up, puts fresh linen on the bed.

When everything is tidy he brings the bedding back off the fence and makes up the bed. He puts his luggage and laundry by the corner of the shop and pulls his sparkling baby back to the truck line. He parks it and bleeds the air lines.

Mike then goes into the terminal and checks to see if Tony's in. Before he can check he runs into him in the coffee room.

"Hey Mike, long time no see? How you been?"

"I been trying to locate you for a week. Wanted to ask you about that gal that got killed. You went out with her a few times, I heard. Sorry she died."

"Yeah, that was tragic: and Ray, of all people! Who ever would have guessed it?"

"Yeah, that's hard to believe too, isn't it? If you don't mind my asking, what was she like? I never met her."

"Oh, she was just a girl, nothing out of the ordinary. I took her out twice. Met her at The Gardens. She worked there, you know."

"Yeah, I heard. Suppose the cops wanted to ask you and anyone else that knew her, a lot of questions. They bug you much?"

"Naw, they only questioned me for a half hour and I haven't heard from them since."

"You must have had a good alibi, I guess."

"Yeah, I did."

"I don't believe Ray did it. How about helping me clear his name? You know which locker is his?"

"Sure, it's next to mine. I'll show you. What do you expect to find there?"

"Won't know until I take a look."

"Come on then."

They go across to the washrooms and lockers. Tony points to one without a padlock, a bent nail holds the hasp closed. "Tony, doesn't Ray have a lock for his?"

"Never has had since I remember. Always used that nail."

Mike opens the locker and inspects the interior. Two dirty work socks litter the floor, some magazines on trucking are on the shelf and a razor. There's also a hard hat and some earplugs. Hanging from a peg at the back of the locker is a yellow pair of rubberized pants with heavy suspenders. He pulls them out and checks for pockets. There are none. "Wonder where his waterproof top is? He must have been using it when he washed the truck that night. Guess I'll check his tractor."

"What's the diff? What will that prove?"

"It will help substantiate his story of what he was doing that night. Might improve his credibility. Do you know if he's been back to work yet?"

"He was back yesterday, but they didn't let him go out. He was laid off and sent home, I guess."

"Did he go to his truck?"

"Nope. He came straight in to the coffee room from his car then up to the office."

"Thanks, Tony, I'm going to check his truck. You got a set of Mac keys on you?"

"Yeah, I got mine. Want to borrow them?"

"Yeah. Thanks Tony, I'll bring them back when I'm done. If I can't find you, do you want me to slip them through the grill on the front of your locker? Which one?"

"It's this one next to Ray's but I'll still be here. The local drivers have a meeting with the wheels later. That's what we're waiting for."

"Okay. I’ll see you later."

Mike goes out and can see the yellow material before he opens the cab. It’s on a hanger behind the seat. The cab is as neat as a pin. He checks the glove box and finds the paperwork for the tractor and a city map. There's also a box of Kleenex and a flashlight. Under the seat is a rag that has been used to clean the dipstick when checking oil. That's all he can find. He checks inside the Kleenex box. Just tissues. He looks behind the visors and seat but nothing. The truck is clean enough it could go out on a sales lot. He goes back into the terminal and sees the meeting has started in the lunchroom. He slips in and gives Tony his keys. He thanks him again and leaves. Jim nods at him as he's leaving and points upstairs then goes on talking to the group.

Mike goes upstairs to dispatch and asks if they want to see him. Jerry is busy on the phone but points to a chair. Mike wait’s patiently until Jerry's finished.

"Jim wants to see you when he gets done with the meeting downstairs. Did you have a female riding with you on this run?"

"Oh, for God's sakes! Don't tell me someone reported us? Shit!"

"I guess that answers my question. I think that's what Jim wants to see you about. The word was around the lunch room last night that you had a naked woman riding around in your truck." He grins, "Did you?"

"Oh hell, the other guys are just jealous."

"CP Express and Transport, can I help you?" Jerry is back on the phone talking into his lip mic with headphones on his ears.

Jim comes in and says, "Come on into my office, Mike"

Mike follows him in and Jim waves at a chair in front of his desk as he pulls some paperwork out of a file. He turns and looks at Mike. "Did you check the seals on that long box you pulled out of Edmonton for Vanderhoof."

"I sure did and I made sure the driver who took it from me at Tete Jaune Cache junction checked them as well. What's wrong."

"Some freight is missing. Prince George claims it was sealed when they got it and they never changed the seal, but the seal number is not the same as the one on the bill of lading. Somebody pulled a fast one. It was Canadian Tire stuff, highly desirable for small thefts. Damn! You’re sure you checked it? You weren't distracted?"

"Alright, I knew that was going to come up. No. I was not distracted by the naked woman in my truck!"

"Take it easy. I know you well enough to know you didn't screw up. I figure someone in Prince George got the goods. We'll have to honor their claim. If you assure me you checked it, that's good enough for me. Thanks, Mike."

"You’re not going to say anything about the rider."

"What rider? You know we're not allowed to take riders in our trucks. Is there a rider in your truck?"

"No. It's parked out in the yard."

"That's what I thought."

"Is that everything then?"

"How are you making out clearing Ray's name? I heard you were helping in the investigation. He didn't do it, did he?"

"I don't believe he did. I'm still working on it."

"Clear him if you can. He's a good man and a good company man with the customers."

"I'm trying, Jim. I better get to it."

Mike goes out to the parking lot and starts the Mustang. He pulls in by the side of the shops and loads up his laundry, luggage and briefcase then heads home. It's Thursday and he doesn't have any more runs this week. He drives out through Mission and home to Abbotsford. He glances over at Jeff's but all is quiet.