Blood Bath

Chapter 7

Colton spent most of Saturday afternoon working in the yard with his dad. After dinner he went to his room to sleep because he must be up just after midnight to work all Sunday morning on his route.

The Sunday newspaper is huge this time of year. Area stores want to entice shoppers with early Christmas specials so they fill the paper with advertising. Colton increased his newspaper count and left more copies at each newspaper rack and store location.

Colton thought about the theft of his papers, If I can't stop this loss, I must stop using the newspaper racks and only leave papers at the party stores and gas stations. I should make more money, not lose money to a thief. Colton's plan is to use the hidden security cameras and listening devices that Seth owns. If he can catch the thief red-handed, he can report them to the police and perhaps get his money back, or at least stop the criminal from stealing more.

At 12:30 Sunday morning, Colton stood next to his Jeep, waiting for Seth. He considered calling him, but Seth wasn't late yet. Just when he pulled his cell phone out, Seth's Charger turned into the driveway and stopped next to the Jeep.

"Hope I'm not late, but I was hungry and had to make breakfast. Want a ham and egg sandwich? I made one for you, and I have plenty of hot coffee." he said.

"Perhaps later," said Colton, "Let's put the security gear in the Jeep and hit the road. We can eat while we wait for the papers in Pigeon."

The two put the spy equipment behind the front seats and Seth put his bag of snacks and coffee thermos up-front, between his feet.

"Ready to go?" asked Colton.

"Ready, captain; let's hit the road. I can't wait to find out who the criminal is that's stealing your precious newspapers."

"It's not a joke, Seth. I'm losing a hundred bucks a week, and that's money I need for my college savings. Unlike you; I don't have a rich family to help me out."

"Hey! I'm not making fun of the situation, Colton, I'm just eager to get back to our detective work."

Seth and Colton had been friends since kindergarten, and over the years they've had many adventures. Last month they almost got killed looking for a murderer in Detroit. They both enjoyed the thrill that came with trying to solve a mystery, and this is a mystery. Not as thrilling as murder, but still a crime needing a solution.

When they arrived at the Pigeon storage locker, they could see that both the other delivery drivers still waited for the delivery truck. Colton got out to talk with Rob and Joey.

"When do you think the truck will be here?" Colton asked.

Rob said he called earlier, and the trucks left about an hour ago. "They should be here any minute unless the driver stopped for a late night snack."

Joey laughed, coughed, and had another drag on his cigarette. "I wouldn't put it past them. As long as they are being paid they'll do anything to waste time."

"Colton," yelled Seth, "Is that the truck we're waiting for?"

A large white van pulled up to the gate, and a woman punched numbers into the keypad lock. The gate beeps as it slid open.

"Yep, that's them," Colton yelled back.

The delivery truck drove up to the waiting drivers and stopped. As soon as Colton knew where his stacks of papers were, He and Seth loaded the Jeep. It amazed Colton how fast he could load his papers, with Seth's help.

"I need to have you here every Sunday, Seth. It took half the time to load these papers with your help. Now we need to deliver them in half the time and we'll be in great shape," Colon said.