Never Play Another Man's Game Read Online Free Page A

lose than professionals, so they’ll take whatever deal is on the table and feel no shame in it.
    â€œThe company this guy works for,” Ruby went on, “they do some bank work, but they mostly do a lot of replenishing ATM s. Because one of the trucks is down each week for maintenance, they have been doubling up routes every Friday. One truck does its normal route, and then it’s supposed to drive back to the warehouse to load up for the second route. It’s a long double shift. Good money. The drivers doing the work decided that cutting out lunch and stuffing the truck with cash for both routes is worth the hassle. They rush the job so they can make it back to the warehouse for a Friday night poker game. They put in a few hours playing cards while they make time and a half and then punch out and go home.”
    She paused again. I said nothing.
    â€œSo that’s it. We got a full truck rolling around ripe for the picking.”
    Ruby leaned back in her chair and took a sip of tea. She looked pleased with herself. Her smile slowly vanished when she saw that I didn’t share her enthusiasm.
    â€œC’mon, Wilson. It’s an armoured car filled to the brim. This should be right up your alley.”
    â€œYou think this is right up my alley?”
    â€œIt’s not? I remember hearing about a few armoured cars that ended up empty because of you and your —”
    I raised a finger. “First off, you got a tip on the maintenance schedule. How did you come by the information?”
    â€œI told you, my son knows a guy.”
    â€œHow well does he know him? Better yet, how well does this guy know your kid?”
    Ruby didn’t say anything.
    â€œSo, we’re going on second-hand information. What happens when the truck gets knocked over and the police turn up? And they will turn up. The cops will be looking hard at the employees, because the robbery is going to stink like an inside job. How else would someone know the exact right day and car to rob? They’ll have questions for everyone, especially the mechanic. Is this source cut into the deal? Does he have a reason to keep his mouth shut? More importantly, is he the kind of guy who can handle an interview with a cop without giving everything up?”
    Ruby didn’t say anything. She was quiet because she didn’t know the answers.
    â€œSecond,” I said as I ticked off another finger. “Repairs to armoured trucks can’t last forever. Your boy found out presumably after the repairs had already started and it took you some time to find me. That leaves us with little time to plan and even less to get what we would need to do the job. Armoured car isn’t just a clever name, Ruby. They don’t break open easy and getting the necessary tools to bust the piggy bank is a hell of a lot tougher since 9 / 11 . You start buying explosives through the wrong channels and you’ll be waving at the cops while the Mounties take you away.”
    I drank some of my tea, which was not as hot as I liked, and then raised a third finger. “Lastly, I didn’t hear a figure come out of your mouth. You just know that the truck has more money inside than usual. What’s usual? Will double cover the expenses and still make it worthwhile when we split up the take?”
    Ruby had stopped looking so pleased with herself. “You won’t do it, then?”
    â€œJesus, Ruby, this isn’t like agreeing to help someone move. This has got bad idea written all over it. You don’t see that?”
    Ruby picked up her tea and then put it down without drinking any. She avoided making eye contact and tried to nonchalantly rub at her eyes.
    I drained the last of my lukewarm tea and put the cup down. “Ruby, you’re a grifter. You run cons and scams. What the hell are you doing going after an armoured car?”
    She stopped fidgeting and looked at me; her eyes were filled with tears just waiting to