Chapter 7
A Heroic Beginning
Chapter 7
It was all going like clockwork. He checked his watch for what must have seemed like the hundredth time. The package was on schedule, he and his team were where they needed to be. Horton and Growe were in the DWP truck, and by now had cut down the power line. Ramirez was trailing the target, keeping the rest of the team appraised as to its route and estimated time of arrival. Valentine was behind the wheel of the getaway. Travis was going over the arming sequence of the rocket. They had done everything they could do to prepare for the job except for an actual dry run. Each man knew what he was supposed to do; now they just had to do it.
Waiting was difficult. Even before he started pulling jobs and was in “legitimate” work, the waiting before an op was always the worst. Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait for much longer. Ramirez was checking in at regular intervals. There was no change in route, no need to make any last-minute changes. Things were going well and that is what made him uneasy. He had gotten used to chaos, to things going wrong. His crew’s previous jobs were crisp and proficient, but they could have been better. They got the job done, but not without a little improvising. Fortunately, errors were being kept down to a minimum and they all had gotten better as they became more experienced. Yet there were always eventualities that could not be foreseen, things somebody else did to screw up a delicate operation. Professionals made adjustments, but right now, there was no need for that.
For a second, he thought it could be a setup. Anything was possible, but armored cars were new for him and his crew. It was more likely that the cops would set something up at a bank, four of which he and his team had robbed in the last six months. They switched from banks to vary their methods and because this particular armored car had a very lucrative package.
The package: $1.2 million in bearer bonds, which had become exceedingly rare as a financial instrument over time. However, through his contacts, Travis would be able to get a substantial return on them. After all was said and done, they were looking to clear $180,000 each. Not bad for 3 minutes of work and a couple of weeks of preparation.
Ramirez checked in again.
“Everything is going five-by-five. He’s on schedule, still heading your way, about a mile from you.”
“Copy.”
Music started playing. Valentine liked to use music to get ready for a job. It was classic rock this time. The music did nothing to slow down Travis’ heart, which was running like a locomotive. His face was on fire. The adrenaline always did that to him. Travis took a couple of deep breaths and went over the plan one more time. Everybody prepared in his own way; this was his. Ramirez checked in again.
“He just crossed over to the right lane, about 250 yards from you now.”
Travis radioed, “One, get set.”
“Copy. One getting set.”
Travis and Valentine both put on their masks. They alternated with every job. It had been clowns for one, old nuns for another, always something found at a Halloween party. For this job, they were going with William Shatner masks, painted white, pretty much guaranteed to disturb anybody who saw them. It was an angle the press liked and hence his crew’s nickname the Trick-or-Treaters. Growe got a real kick out of that. At the last job, he even shouted it when they entered the bank. That irked Travis. They were all supposed to be in this for the money not thrills or notoriety. Once Travis stole enough, he was out. This job would be just another step on the road to retirement.
It was show time. Travis got out of the truck. Moving to the back door, he grabbed the launcher. Unlike a normal rocket launcher, attached to the end of this was a large round disk. It was heavy, but Travis knew he wouldn’t be holding it for long. Valentine started the crew’s getaway vehicle.
Ramirez again, “Target has arrived.”
Travis kneeled and set up his launcher. He knew he would only have one shot at this. Travis set the firing switch to “ON.” He saw Horton and Growe exactly where they should be, with the DWP truck and the downed power line. They were blocking the armored car’s path. His heart rate slowed, his face cooled, and he took one more deep breath. Travis took aim, the launcher indicated a positive lock-on and he fired. The warhead spun toward the armored car. Only inches from the ground, the warhead’s objective was to go under the target and then detonate, hitting the weakened section of any armored vehicle. Travis had the armorer modify the warhead to reduce its explosive power. He didn’t want to destroy the armored car, only disable it. It only took a second for the warhead to reach its target. Performing just as it was designed, the warhead exploded upward, lifting the armored car clear up off the ground. It came crashing down and fell flat on its side.
Horton and Growe were on the disabled car in an instant. Growe provided cover as Horton worked on the rear door. Travis dropped the launcher, grabbed his assault rifle from the back seat of the getaway vehicle, and made his way quickly across the street. He saw Ramirez pull up, stop his car and exit. Ramirez was holding up three fingers. This indicated that at least one of the guards had radioed for help. This was an unfortunate development, but not unexpected. They now had 3 minutes to grab what they needed and escape. Horton finished placing the charge, got clear and clicked the detonator. There was another load bang as the back door was ripped open.
Horton went inside the disabled vehicle, grabbed the first guard and threw him out. The second guard and the driver soon followed. Growe covered them while Ramirez subdued them with flex cuffs. They were bloody and disoriented and in no condition to provide any resistance, but Travis didn’t liked to minimize risk. Travis made his way inside. He searched among the car’s contents. There was an assortment of items, including cash, stuffed envelopes and containers of various sizes. Travis was focused on just the bearer bonds. Finally finding what he was seeking, Travis grabbed the bonds and was out within a minute. Exiting the armored car, he saw that Valentine had brought up their ride. Horton opened the back and got inside with Growe. Ramirez came right behind him after exploding a container of gasoline to torch his vehicle. Travis rode shotgun. They were already moving before he closed the door.
It took the police less than 5 minutes to reach the site of the robbery. It might well have been 5 hours. Travis and his crew were halfway to their secondary getaway vehicle before the first black and white arrived. By the time any of the police had time to assess the situation, they were already driving away in the secondary ride. In less than six months’ time, Travis and his fellow thieves had robbed four banks and now an armored car. They had stolen more than $6 million in cash and bearer bonds. The River City Police and the F.B.I. would have as much luck tracing this current job back to Travis and his crew as the previous ones. They were ahead of the authorities and it seemed like nothing could get between them and continued success.