Page 41 of Wild Idol

It took about an hour, but we finally got to talk to the two CBP officers who were on duty.

We spoke to them separately in an office.

First up was Officer Coleman. He was around 30, with short brown hair, light eyes, and an athletic frame. He stood about 5’9” and looked frazzled. “They came in wearing uniforms and those high-end silicone masks,” Coleman said. “I didn’t realize what was going on until they had their weapons shoved in my face. They must have hacked into our computer system somehow, because they had the container number and a bill of lading. I had no choice but to lead them to the container. What was I going to do?”

“How do you think they got access to the system?” I asked.

Coleman shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Sounds like they may have had help from the inside.”

He frowned at me. “Or maybe they’re just really good with computers.”

“Did you hear any names?”

“No. They were in and out. They didn’t screw around. I took them to the container, they opened it up, grabbed what they were after, and took off.”

“How many people knew what was in the container?”

Coleman shrugged. “The automated system flagged it as suspicious. It was x-rayed, then referred to secondary physical inspection. It was brought to the CEA for holding. All the information was entered into the system. Anyone who had access to the database would know. Standard procedure.”

“And you didn’t share this information with anyone?” I asked in a slightly accusatory tone.

Coleman’s face wrinkled. “No!”

“Didn’t talk about it with your girlfriend?”

“No. She doesn’t want to hear about my bullshit days at work, and I don’t want to hear about hers.”

“So, let me get this straight. They stormed in and forced you and officer Norton onto the floor. You were both flex-cuffed, then they forced you to take them to the container.”

“Yes.”

“Did they say anything to you besides commands?”

“We didn’t make small talk, if that’s what you’re asking?” He thought about it. “Relax, it’s for a good cause.”

“What?”

“That’s what he said. Or some shit like that.” He scoffed. “Good cause, like lining his pockets.”

I asked him to describe the build of the assailants. He did, and they matched the basic physical description of the bank robbers. But that wasn’t much to go on. The FBI’s forensic team had dusted the area for prints, but Coleman told me they all wore gloves.

I asked Coleman a few more questions, then we interviewed Officer Norton. He had the same story, though he had less interaction with the assailants.

I took their contact information and told them we’d be in touch.

We managed to get a look at the surveillance video, but it went down just as the assailant’s van arrived. The vehicle stopped at the gate. The goons flooded out and stormed into the main office with shock and awe.

After that, the feed went blank.

JD and I left the CBP facility with the sheriff and headed back toward the parking lot.

“You think these are the same assholes?” the sheriff asked for confirmation.

22

Iforwarded the CBP officers’ contact information to Isabella and asked her to run background on the two individuals.