Payroll by William James Johnson Chapter 7

The brakes squealed as the bus stopped in front of Headquarters, and Captain Sayer practically broke the hundred yard dash getting into the building. Wayne Tilly rushed past Silky's door, startled by the sound of confusion in the outer office. He turned quickly and shouted at his friend.
"Aren't you comin'? Sounds like somethin's up."
Afraid it might appear suspicious if he didn't join him, Silky hurriedly buttoned his tunic and went into the main office with Tilly.
"The payroll was hit," blurted the Captain, "By some guy in old clothes and a Trudeau mask. He had the meanest jeezus Doberman I've ever seen."
"Doberman?" asked Colonel Watts.
"That's right. He used this vicious dog to keep us down, while he took off with the payroll."
"What about your guards? Why didn't they shoot the dog?"
"They couldn't. The crook was on the bus before they knew what was happening. He had a gun, and made them throw their's on the floor. They'd be stupid to risk their necks for a bag of money."
"How the hell did he get on the bus?"
"The bastard had the railway crossing blocked with his van, and it looked like he was having car trouble."
"That doesn't explain how the hell he got on the bus," said Watts, getting more annoyed by the minute.
"The driver opened the door of the bus."
"He what?"
"It's the rule. You know, all school buses must stop at crossings and the driver must open the door and check both ways for trains."
"It's not a school bus anymore. What the hell do you think they're going to say back in Ottawa when they read in your report that the driver opened the door and let the sonofabitch come on board with his dog and take our money. You realize don't you Captain I've been trying to keep a low profile on this my last tour of duty. This kinda fucks up that wouldn't you say?"
"I'm sorry sir. At least no one was hurt."
"Thank gawd for that. Any idea who pulled off the job?"
"I think it might have been one of our guys. Someone who knew our routine perfectly."
"It's obvious everyone of your staff is accounted for. Did the crook talk or say anything at all?"
"Very little sir, and with that mask, it would be impossible to identify him. Besides he sounded like he was deliberately changing his voice."
The Colonel squared his shoulders as he listened to Sayer's story. He was psyching himself up to get into what the men called, "His Action Mode" referred to by most as the CO's "HAM".
"Get on the blower Captain, and tell all the section commanders pay parade's going to be delayed. Then call Command and have them replace the money as soon as possible."
"I'll get right on it sir."
"And we better notify the Mounties right away."
"I've already done that sir. We went to their detachment before coming back here."
"Good boy. Oh Don..."
"Sir?"
"I'm glad no one was hurt."
"Thank you Colonel. I'll tell my men."
The Senior Accounts Officer at Command Headquarters in Winnipeg authorized immediate replacement of the stolen payroll. The money was delivered by a Kiwa helicopter which landed on the parade square outside the main administration building. By 4 PM everyone had been paid and the local RCMP detachment had already begun their investigation.
After assisting Sayer on the pay parade, Silk and Tilly walked slowly back to Headquarters, still talking about the day's excitement.
"Geez what a day...I can't believe it," said Tilly. " Remember just a few weeks back, when we were talking about all that dough?"
"Sure do...You said it'd be a good haul for someone."
"That's right...I remember. That's what I said all right."
"Wasn't you was it?" asked Silky, smiling.
"Me...You kidding. You think I'd still be here if I had all that loot? No way. I'd head east again...far east. Bangkok maybe, and spend the rest of my days surrounded by sexy little broads who know how to treat a man...like a king...But wait a minute. How about yourself? You had the chance."
"Get real...Me? Rob a payroll and come back to work. What do you take me for?"
"Well I know one thing for sure," said Tilly.
"What's that?"
"The guy who finds that dog, is probably the guy who'll find the money."
"The dog...What do you mean?"
"Didn't you hear the Captain? He said the dog got away when the bus driver opened the door. You know...the way they always do before crossing the tracks."
"So?"
"So I think that dog hustled his little ass right back to his home, where this guy lives...And the way I figure it, that's where the money'll be."
"What makes you think the guy is even around here?"
"Whoever did it must've been planning for quite a while, so I think the guy's been watching us. Might even be one of those summer soldiers for all I know. This was a helluva good idea when you look at it again. It all went smooth, except for the meatball."
"Meatball? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Sayer said the crook left a meatball on the floor of the bus. He says he thinks it's probably poisoned or something. The way Sayer figures it, this guy was using the dog to buy himself a little time so he could get away."
"Then why use the meatball in the first place?"
"If Sayer's idea is right, the dog was supposed to eat the poisoned meat and die on the spot. That way he couldn't be used to find his partner."
"Why didn't he eat it then?"
"Sayer says the guy yelled the dog's name, but for some reason or other fucked off at a great rate of knots before he gave the dog his command. Makes sense doesn't it?"
"Gawd Wayne! With an imagination like that, you should write science fiction."
"Well, we'll see."
"See what?"
"Sayer turned the meatball over to the Mounties. Their crime lab in Winnipeg will check his theory."
"Boy that's really reaching."
"Hell. He had to do it. It's the only evidence they've got, and there's some lucky fucker out there with over half a million bucks."
"Six hundred and twenty thousand," said Silk.
"Wayne was surprised at his precise figure. "How the hell would you know that?"
"You told me yourself. Remember when all those militia guys arrived. We figured it then."
"Yeah...Yeah. I remember now."
Captain Sayer stopped in the doorway and interrupted their speculations.
"Zylkowski... report to Major Perkins. On the double."
Sayer only used his full name when something was about to happen. Silky felt the cartilage in his knees turn to soft jelly. The dog must have been found. What was he going to do now?"
"What's up Captain?" asked Silk in a weak voice.
"I said on the double."
As he hurried past his superior to report to the Major, both Tilly and Sayer noticed his changed demeanor.
"What the hell's that all about?"
"Damned if I know sir. He sure went pale all of a sudden."
"Is there something I should know Tilly?"
"Kinda, but I don't think it's too important really."
"Well what is it for Chrissake?"
"Silky had car trouble this morning, and he was late getting in. That's all."
"Late...how late?"
"Shortly after eleven."
"After eleven eh. We were knocked over about nine thirty...It would be tight, but if everything went according to plan he could've done it."
"Done what sir?"
"The robbery..."
"Silky...an armed robber. Come on Captain. This is Corporal Zylkowski we're talking about. Shiny, spit and polish Silky. Simon pure Silky...the original loner...know what I mean?"
"Was he in uniform when he came in?"
"Like always sir. Shoes shined and hair to match."
"Guess you're right. I'd look stupid if I suggested to the CO that Silky could've been involved. Thanks Wayne for filling me in."
"I'd appreciate it sir, if you wouldn't mention it to Silky. I'd hate to have him think I wasn't covering his ass when he asked me this favour."
"Don't worry. It's just between you and me. I'll only use it as a last resort if it comes up."
"Thanks Captain. That's fair."
Outside Major Perkins office, Silky was trying to manufacture some sort of alibi to get himself off the hook. The longer he waited, the more he began to tremble.
"You can go in now Corporal."
"Thanks."
As he entered the Chief Administrator's Office, he gave the smartest salute he had ever given, standing at rigid attention, his eyes fixed on the flag draped behind the Major's head.
"At ease Corporal. Well, well, well. It looks like all of your planning and hard work for these past months paid off today."
Obviously shaken, Silky's face became ashened.
"I don't understand sir..."
"Of course you do."
"But sir..."
"Think my boy...What has all this privacy... this disappearing right after work...all this mystery been about?"
"You mean you ...you know?"
"Of course I know...That's why I'm a major and you're a corporal...I've known for months. Even the CO knows. We didn't do anything, because we wanted to see if you're determination would remain constant, if you know what I mean."
"What can I say except...I'm amazed sir...really amazed."
"Well I don't know why this comes as such a surprise. You must've expected it."
Perkins opened a file cover and pulled out a green sheet of paper.
"Here it is in writing. You've been selected for Officer Candidate School."
The Major stood up and taking Silky's sweaty hand, shook it vigorously.
"Congratulations Corporal Zylkowski. You deserve it. Or should I say Silky...you don't mind me calling you Silky?"
"Oh no sir...I mean yes sir. I mean that's fine. Everyone calls me Silky."
"Is there something else bothering you my boy?"
"Sir?"
"You're so nervous. You're going to have to get over that if you expect to succeed at OCS."
"No sir. I'm all right. It's just that I've been waiting for this for so long. I can't believe it's actually happened. You know what it's like when you want something real bad, and you work so hard to make it happen. Then something goes wrong."
"I know exactly how you feel. I had the same doubts about my promotion to Major. Believe me it was a surprise to a lot of the fellows...me included. I thought I would be one of the Army's oldest Captains. So you see my boy, I can understand why you look so shaken."
"This is really great news sir. Really great. Will that be all sir?"
"Not really Silky. There's something else I feel I must mention, and quite frankly, I would prefer not to, but your boss Captain Sayer insists."
Silky felt like he was waiting for the other shoe to fall. He hoped to God it wasn't going to be about being late for work, or worse, something about the robbery. He had so little life experience deceiving anyone.
"What is it Major? The Captain got a complaint about my work?"
"Not your work. He always speaks highly about your performance. No. It's something to do with your socializing. He calls it being one of the boys."
"Oh he's on that again."
"I know you're a loner, and I hate to tell you how to run your life. But your Captain is right. The Army is not the outside world. Here we believe in team work, and..."
"Pardon my interruption Major, but if it was Captain Sayer's idea...he probably thinks I should throw a promotion party for the other Corporals to celebrate my appointment."
The Major was pleasantly surprised.
"That's it exactly...you are quick to appreciate a situation. You know, I used that very expression on your personal promotion report...I said and I quote, 'Corporal Zylkowski is exceptionally quick in appreciating a situation' ".
"Is that everything Major?"
The Major sniffed twice, the way he usually did when he was about to give one of his profound answers.
"Take my advice Silky...Play the game by the rules. A man with a good head on his shoulders, who is a team player can go places in this man's Army. Have your party, a drink or two if you're so inclined. The guy's will always remember you for it."
"Thank you Major. I know you're right. I'm sure the fellows will remember me. And I appreciate you taking your valuable time to counsel me like this..."
Perkins' pin stripe moustache flicked up and down as he fawned over the praise of this lowly corporal.
"Only doing my job son."
"I'd be honoured if you could find the time to attend my party in the Corporal's Club tonight."
"That's mighty nice of you Corporal...Normally I would, but the Commanding Officer has asked me to host two RCMP Sergeants who are due in tonight, to investigate this ridiculous robbery...But you go and have a good time. Me and the CO may drop in later for one drink."
Corporal Zylkowski threw up another great salute. He had practised for hours in front of a mirror when he entered the Army. He felt that first impressions were the best, and in the service the salute was like your calling card. After he left the office, Perkins pushed back his chair, and in a low voice expressed his feelings.
"That's one smart lad...He's going to go a long way before he's through."

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